by Mark Appleton
Latest figures from the MCI show that there has been a rise in the number of new registrations for small motorcycles and scooters in 2012 which marks the second year in succession.
This shouldn’t come as a major surprise given the current economic climate, the top five best selling motorcycles in 2012 were 125cc or under showing people are thinking more about price and running costs.
These new registrations helped bikes between 51-125cc grow by 8.5% during 2012 and continues the rise we have been seeing since petrol prices began to increase in 2011.
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A study recently published by the Motorcycle Industry in Europe (ACEM) looked at the impact of a small shift from cars to motorcycles for a congested urban area in Belgium. When just 10% of drivers swapped their cars for motorcycles the time the average person spent in traffic decreased by 40%. When that figure is increased to 25% - time spent in traffic is completely eliminated.
“The growth of smaller motorcycles and scooters would suggest that more people than ever are commuting on powered two wheelers” explained Steve Kenward, Acting CEO of the MCI. “This is an exciting trend and something the MCI has been talking to government about – in helping to solve congestion problems”.
The MCI has met with Transport Ministers recently to talk about recognising the contribution motorcycles can make in overcoming urban transport congestion.
Small motorcycles and scooters are more fuel efficient than most cars, with some doing up to 146 mpg. Parking is often free, road tax is lower and there are no congestion charges or work place parking levies for motorcyclists.
Steve Kenward is optimistic that the market will continue to be strong for 2013, “We are looking forward with confidence to another year of growth in the urban sector and are expecting an increase in sales of larger capacity machines as well, as confidence returns to the economy”.
