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Category: Motorcycle Industry Association
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7,020 new powered two wheelers (PTWs) were registered in August 2009, bringing the total for the first eight months of the year to 79,897. This is an 18.2 per cent fall on 2008 according to the latest figures from the Motor Cycle Industry Association (MCI), and a fall of 30.5 per cent on August 2008.
The Touring, Sport Tour and Naked styles recorded the strongest performances this month, suggesting continued demand for everyday, practical bikes.
August Supersports registrations fell 37.8 per cent, to 990 registrations. However, the stronger year-to-date performance of a 14.3 per cent fall suggests that this month's change may be attributable to buyers waiting until 1 September for the most up-to-date registration plates.
Larger capacity bikes are continuing to show more resilience than smaller machines. Registrations of mopeds fell by 39.8 per cent in August 2009 compared to August 2008, while registrations of bikes with engine sizes greater than 1000cc fell by only 13 per cent.
The performance of learner-friendly machines remains strong. In five of the eight style categories - custom, naked, scooter, supersport and trail/enduro - the best-selling bike was a 125cc model. The best selling bike in August out of all styles was Yamaha's YZF R125.
This evidence for the continued importance of practical motorcycling is also supported by the latest figures from the Department for Transport's National Travel Survey, which show that over half (52%) of all motorcycle trips in 2008 were made for the purpose of commuting, compared to just one-third (34%) of bicycle journeys and one-fifth (22 %) of car journeys. The National Travel Survey also found that the average motorcyclist uses their bike as their main mode of transport for over one-third of all trips, making 8 motorcycle trips a week, and travelling 80 miles.
"While it's clear that people are being very cautious about their spending, interest in riding remains strong," commented MCIA's Sheila Rainger. "Demand for motorcycle tests is quietly rising, while five per cent of all visitors to the Get On website have booked themselves onto a taster session."
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Hollywood has always looked to two wheels to bring a little sexy glamour to a movie – think Lucy Liu and Pierce Brosnan handcuffed to a BMW R 1200C, Charlie’s Angels riding motocross, or Angelina Jolie as Lara Croft raiding tombs on a 664 CCM. But Britain’s romantic bikers would rather ride with their other half than movie megastars like Kate Winslet, Helen Mirren, Sean Bean or Antonio Banderas.
Asked to name who they would most like to take a fantasy ride with, twice as many bikers nominated their partners than Kylie, Star Wars’ Ewan McGregor, Valkyrie’s Tom Cruise or Bond’s Pierce Brosnan. One particularly lovelorn soul taking the Motor Cycle Industry Association (MCI) survey* nominated “Rachel from the office next door.”
On Valentine’s Day, the MCI recommends following in these bikers’ wheeltracks by bringing fun, freedom and excitement into your love life. Spurn those old romantic clichés - a candlelit dinner for two; flowers, champagne, chocolates, or lingerie – in favour of a gift which is guaranteed to get your other half home faster: a day’s motorcycling – complete with a compulsory basic training (CBT) certificate at the end of it. And if neither of you have ever tried motorcycling, why not do it together?
Doesn’t sound very sexy? A CBT course is huge fun, memorable, and gives a real sense of achievement. An intensive day with a qualified instructor takes novice riders through all the skills needed to control a small-engined motorcycle with skill, confidence and most importantly, safety. Divided into five sections, the CBT starts off-road and well away from traffic, building up to two hours of practical riding on the road, closely supervised by the instructor.
MCI’s Sheila Rainger said: “Chocolates make you fat and flowers give you hay fever, but a CBT certificate sets you free. Passing the CBT immediately entitles you to ride a small-engined motorcycle, scooter or moped, and opens the door to more advanced training, bigger machines, unrivalled independence and fun.
“It’s the first step to joining in with increasing numbers of people of both sexes and all ages who are cutting journey times, avoiding the expense and hassles of public transport and parking, reducing travel costs and commuting to work with a smile on their faces.”
Ends
Commuter motorcycling accounts for two-thirds of powered two-wheeler journeys and represents one of the cleanest forms of motorised transport for trips where walking, cycling and public transport are not viable. Motorcycles spend less time in traffic jams, whereas cars spend time with engines idling and air-conditioning running.
Powered two-wheelers move freely through traffic jams and as a result leave a smaller carbon footprint over a shorter period of time on any given urban journey.
In addition to the environmental benefits derived from avoiding traffic jams, the government has now confirmed that motorcycles and scooters are more eco friendly in terms of emissions than the average car.
The cost of a CBT course is around £100 and you can find your nearest trainer by going to the Motor Cycle Industry Association (MCI) web site at www.mcia.co.uk.
The MCIA is the UK trade association representing manufacturers and importers of mopeds, motorcycles and scooters, and the suppliers of associated goods and services. It has approximately 150 members representing about 90 per cent of the UK industry.
The motorcycle industry in the UK employs more than 15,000 people and turns over in excess of £3 billion a year.
There are over 1.26 million motorcycles in use in Britain traveling around 5.6 billion vehicle kilometers (DfT 2006).
For more information please contact Simon Small at the MCI Press Office on tel: 01622 812961 (S-Presso Ltd)
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Figures from the Motor Cycle Industry Association (MCI) reflect the resilience of the motorcycle market in the economic downturn, ending 2008 just 4,866 registrations short of 2007.
A total of 139,715 motorcyles, mopeds and scooters were registered in 2008, only 3.4 per cent down on 2007. The figures for December showed a 19.1 per cent decline to 6,706 registrations for the month. The UK car market plunged 11.3 per cent last year.
Beneath the headline figures, some significant trends are emerging. Mopeds ended the year 1.5 per cent up, suggesting increasing ‘utility’ use by commuters and those with relatively short journeys. Scooter registrations were also 1.1 per cent up, and the adventure sport and touring categories increased by 5.7 per cent and 8.6 per cent respectively.
“With a robust performance very close to 2007, the motorcycle market and industry is providing further evidence that powered two-wheelers offer a credible and very affordable transport option,” said the MCI’s Sheila Rainger. “We will all continue to face financial pressures in 2009, and with rail fares increasing by as much as 11 per cent and incentives such as bikes being able to use bus lanes, motorcycle use is more relevant and practical than ever.”
Consumer needs have moved towards the wider use of motorcycles for practical everyday purposes, as well as fun and freedom. This is reflected in a fall in market share of the high performance supersport sector which now accounts for under 17 per cent of the market.
The year’s top selling model was the Honda CBR 1000RR, but as further evidence of motorcycling’s relevance, five of the best-selling models of the year were small-capacity motorcycles, mopeds and scooters with engines of less than 125cc. The biggest-selling manufacturer in 2008 was Honda with 20,107 registrations, followed by Yamaha (17,031) and Suzuki (16,132).
Sheila Rainger added: “There was a big increase in motorcycle tests in 2008, and dealers selling new and used bikes to people taking to two wheels for the first time. The industry is well-placed to offer people a cost and congestion-busting alternative for everyday transport and this year, we will be campaigning hard to urge people to join in, as well as working to increase safety and transport provisions for motorcyclists.”
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Following a solid October when motorcycle registrations were up by 4 per cent on the same month last year, registrations were 16 per cent down last month, according to figures from the Motor Cycle Industry Association (MCI).
A total of 7,517 mopeds, scooters and motorcycles were registered in November, compared with 8,947 in the same month last year. Over the first 11 months of the year, registrations are just 2.4 per cent down, with 133,009 new powered two-wheelers (PTWs) registered.
While obviously not immune to the economic downturn, this still compares favourably with the UK car industry which last week announced that new car registrations fell 36.8 per cent in November, and 10.7 per cent year to date.
Most categories suffered declines with the Yamaha XC 125 scooter as the month’s biggest seller. The market-leading manufacturer in November was Yamaha with 1,079 registrations, followed by Honda (858) and Suzuki (670).
MCI chief executive Steve Kenward said: “This is a disappointing although not unexpected result, and we are renewing the call on government and local authorities, to support the industry’s ability to provide affordable and practical transport solutions in these difficult economic times.
“Dealers, suppliers and manufacturers are braced for a volatile and challenging 2009, but PTW use is more relevant than ever and must be viewed as a serious and pratical alternative to the use of cars and public transport. PTWs are part of the solution to the problems of congestion and pollution and should not be ignored or treated as an afterthought. “
Kenward added: “The motorcycle industry is still holding up very well, and I am encouraged by the upbeat mood of the International Motorcycle Show at the NEC last week.”
The Carole Nash International Scooter and Motorcycle Show ended yesterday, with attendance similar to last year.
The increasing interest in motorcycling was also highlighted in the Department for Transport Compendium of Motorcycling Statistics, released last week. The report says that the number of people taking the motorcycling test increased to 88,000 in 2007/08, the highest number since 2000/01. According to the DfT, there are approximately 1.26 million licensed motorcycles in Britain traveling around 5.6 billion vehicle kilometers in 2006. In 2007, 45 per cent of the 146,000 machines registered for the first time, had engine capacities of up to 150cc.
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The Motor Cycle Industry Association (MCI) is giving its full backing to a new Europe-wide road safety campaign developed by the Association des Constructeurs Européens de Motocycles (ACEM).
The campaign will last 13 months and uses a cartoon format to highlight everyday risks to riders of powered two wheelers (PTWs).
The objective of the safety campaign is to raise riders’ awareness of the potential risks posed by road layouts and traffic situations encountered throughout Europe. Developed with motorcycle trainers and instructors, the cartoon format is designed to help riders avoid these risks, by being eye-catching and entertaining.
Cartoons covering 13 topics will be released on a monthly basis, each focusing on a specific issue or risk. As well as drawing attention to the risk, riders will be given tips and recommendations on how best to tackle various situations. The first cartoon covering road junctions can be downloaded from www.acem.eu/cartoon.
Accidents caused by ‘road infrastructure’ account for 8 per cent of total accidents according to MAIDS.* The poor condition of many European roads and the fact that the specific needs of PTWs are still often neglected in road engineering, are the main reasons for this. Rider behaviour in addressing each situation plays a major role in PTW safety. By providing more information on the road environment, this safety campaign will help riders in making better choices and contribute to improving their own safety.
The campaign is also supported by the recently formed Motor Cycle Industry Trainers’ Association. The MCI’s Craig Carey-Clinch said: “Road safety is a priority for the motorcycle industry and the British government, so we welcome this European-wide campaign and urge riders to make full use of the tips and information in each of the cartoons.
“We also hope that road engineers, planners and policy makers will take note, and make better provision for the increasing numbers of PTW riders in the future.”
The comic strip medium was chosen as a user-friendly format, with subsequent monthly releases featuring roadside hazards, dangerous road surfaces, diesel and liquid spills, damaged and badly repaired surfaces, poorly designed traffic calming devices, night time hazards, winter and ice treatments, surface debris, badly designed central islands, metal fixtures and paint markings and badly designed curves.
In 2006, ACEM released the Guidelines for PTW-Safer Road Design in Europe as part of the integrated approach of its Safety Plan for Action. This technical manual, developed together with road engineers and mainly aimed at policy makers, urban planners and contractors, includes information which could also have safety benefits for PTW users.
ACEM, which represents the motorcycle Industry in Europe, is a signatory of the European Road Safety Charter aimed at reducing road fatalities by 50 per cent by 2010.
Craig Carey-Clinch added: “PTW use is increasing – especially as everyday transport for commuters and young people. This initiative sees motorcycle manufacturers willingly taking their share of collective responsibility with a pledge to obtaining the European Road Safety Charter goal. However, in order to be effective, safety policies need to be based on an integrated approach, combining actions from the authorities and PTW users.”
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