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Motorcycles are making a bigger contribution to getting commuters to work than any other mode of transport, according to the MCI's analysis of the new National Travel Survey.*
The survey shows 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. These findings challenge the myth that bikers are a nuisance on the road and more interested in leisure pursuits than the day to day convenience of a powered two-wheeler. They strengthen the case for motorcycling to take its place at the heart of mainstream transport policy as an everyday, practical mode of transport which can improve access to employment, education and social networks.
. Congestion-busting: the majority of car journeys are still single occupancy (60%) and this is notably higher for commuting and business trips (84%). If these solo drivers switched to two wheels, congestion would fall and journey times drop dramatically.
. Affordable: financial hurdles were one of the main deterrents to driving. For younger people this was particularly critical, with almost half (48%) of 17-20 year olds stating 'the cost of learning ' as a reason for not driving. A third ( 32% ) of this age group said that the cost of buying a car was another key factor for not driving. A new rider can get on the road for under £2,000 including a new 125cc scooter, kit and the basic training ( CBT ) that is required: a more cost -effective option than four wheels and ideal for younger people who need to get to work or college on a limited budget.
. Regular: the average motorcyclist relies on their bike for everyday transport, using it for over one-third of all journeys they make.
MCI Spokesperson Sheila Rainger said, "Motorcycle and scooter riders are capitalizing on the cost-effective, practical benefits of using a powered-two wheeler during some of the busiest times of the day.
"It is important that the Government and employers recognise the contribution riders are making to ensure workers are getting to the 'office ' quicker and cheaper than some of their colleagues. Cheaper parking, secure and covered parking and access to bus lanes are just some of the small steps that will improve a biker's experience."
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The active UK rider population is 1.5 million and an estimated 3.8 million people in the UK have a driving licence with a moped/motorcycle entitlement.
Women accounted for 14% of the people who took their test in 2007/08.
Women - 12,061
Men - 75,884
17% more people passed their test in 2007/08 than in 2006/07.
20% more people passed their test in 2008/09 than in 2007/08.
London motorcycle commuters can reduce the duration of their journeys by up to 34% compared to car drivers . In the rest of the UK journeys can be reduced by 12% (Regional Transport Statistics 2008)
A typical scooter consumes between 55% and 81% less fuel than a car on the same journey
The motorcycle industry in the UK employs more than 15,000 people and turns over in excess of £3 billion a year.
Motorcyclists say that biking is about freedom, practicality, friendship and fun:
Freedom - 26%
Practical - 23%
Friendly - 18%
Fun - 11%
Economical - 9%
Adventurous - 4%
Thrill Seeking - 4%
Fast - 4%
(You Gov 09 *)
One-third of 24-34 year olds are jealous of motorcycles getting though traffic. (You Gov 09 *)
One -fifth of Southerners ( London and South regions) are jealous of motorcycles getting though traffic. (You Gov 09 *)
Car drivers and bus passenger are most jealous of motorcycles getting through traffic. (You Gov 09 *)
One-third of commuters are 'sometimes' late for work because of traffic and congestion. (You Gov 09 *) unless they're bikers, of whom 67% are "never" late for work.
The end
You Gov 09* FIGURES are from YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 2,136 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 9th - 11th June 2009. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all GB adults (aged 18+)
* London and South regions of the UK
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Aspiring motorcyclists are more likely to be interested in getting to work more easily than getting their knee down, according to a You Gov survey** carried out for National Motorcycle Week.
In two years the number of commuters who said they would like to ride to work on a bike has doubled. The survey revealed that 16 per cent of the public said they would like to be a 'commuter biker' when asked what sort of motorcyclist they would like to be, compared to 8 per cent who chose this option in 2007.
The desire to enjoy the leisure aspect of riding is now less important to people. People want a cost-effective and practical mode of transport to get them to work. This was underpinned in the survey findings that showed the number of people of who aspired to be 'leisure riders' has notably fallen from 31 per cent in 2007 to 19 per cent in 2009.
One in eight commuters in Great Britain would consider switching to two wheels in order to avoid traffic. Bicycle commuters and tube travellers were the most willing to switch. Eighteen per cent of pedal cyclists and 20 per cent of underground users said that they would consider commuting by motorcycle or scooter to avoid traffic and delays.
Other benefits of riding to work highlighted by the survey included:-
* Punctuality: over two-thirds of motorcycle and scooter commuters (67 per cent) said they were never late for work. The only commuters with a better punctuality performance were those who walked to work, 68 per cent of whom said they were never late.
* Quicker commute: one quarter of motorcyclists said the reason they rode to work was because it was quicker than other options. For commuters as a whole, only one tenth said their usual means of transport was the quickest available.
* Financial savings: Sixty per cent of motorcycle commuters spent less than £10 a week on their commute
The general public, especially people who have to travel during the rush hour are starting to recognise the many practical benefits for riding to work on either a bike, scooter or moped. Ride to Work Day was created to highlight the fact that riding has benefits for the individual and society.
Riding a bike to work can
. Cut costs
. Cut journey times
. Cut pollution
. Cut congestion
Sheila Rainger MCI Spokesperson said, ""Motorcycling isn't just about having fun on Sundays. Many new riders have taken their tests so that they can spend less time travelling to work and more time with their families.
"Experience in London has shown that as the number of two-wheel commuters rises, the risk of being injured in an accident falls. More people riding to work is good news for individuals, the economy and for road safety.
"Ride to Work Day 2009 is the ideal opportunity to Get More Out of Life by switching to two wheels."
**All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 2,136 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 9th - 11th June 2009. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all GB adults (aged 18+)
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Protests continue as Westminster Council tries to hang on to bike parking tax
Thousands of bikers are expected to descend on Piccadilly Circus, Haymarket and Regent Street on the evening of Tuesday 9th June in continued protests against the controversial motorcycle parking tax introduced under the stewardship of Cllr. Danny Chalkley, despite attempts by the council to push through a permanent charge by altering the scheme.
This month WCC announced that it would drop the £150/year, or £1.50/day, charge to £1, or £100/year, and make spaces in it’s car parks free. This has drawn criticism from protestors, and other Westminster Councillors, who have called the alterations ‘back to front’, ‘plainly ridiculous’, ‘arrogant’, ‘desperate’, and ‘an empty and meaningless gesture’, as the scheme would still net millions for ‘improvements’ that have already been covered by existing takings.
Spaces in car parks have historically had a lower uptake, and many of the car spaces being converted were of minimal use due to the congestion charge. Campaigners have often stressed that indoor parking would be one of the areas where charging could have been justified, and accused Cllr. Chalkley of playing politics rather than addressing the concerns of protestors.
Paul Dimoldenberg, Leader of the Labour Group in WCC, said last month:
"The Council's position is looking sillier with every day that passes. How can it be fair or make financial sense to offer free motorbike parking in expensively-run car parks and yet charge motorbike owners to park in the street?"
Warren Djanogly, chairman of the campaign against the tax, said:
“I’d love to visit planet Chalkley, but I doubt I’d be able to afford the parking. His actions are those of a man who, in his desperation to save face, would rather risk the reputation of one of the finest Councils in the world rather than admit when he is wrong, in what can only be seen as petulant stubbornness."
Warren also highlighted the problems with the controversial pay-by-phone system, and the risks to riders:
“Chalkley claims that cash-less parking charging has one of its roots in Eastern European Mafia attacks on the cash-machines, and yet he's content in exposing the most vulnerable of road-users, of which over 40% are women, to publicly display their mobile phones and credit cards whilst announcing the details to the world.”
Press Spokesman for the Campaign, Charlie Lort-Phillips, said today:
“WCC have tried to brush the concerns of these protestors under the carpet, without seeing that the very principal they are setting is the cause of the anger. If this charge is taken up by boroughs across the capital, motorbike use will plummet. That would be ultimately detrimental to the capital as a whole, and bring yet more pressure to bear on public transport. WCC’s utter inability to foresee the consequences of their greed has fuelled the anger of those joining us on the street this week.”
Over 3000 protestors brought Central London to a standstill on the 11th May, in addition to over 4000 who rallied outside City Hall on 31st March.
“This council have made millions out of those who are doing their bit to alleviate congestion,” said Warren “If they want to charge us like cars, we can congest like cars. We are not going away, we will prevail, and this tax will be stopped.”
A map of the route can be found here:
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After fifteen years of campaigning for national bus lane use, the BMF is urging motorcyclists to speak up and be counted in support of the hard-fought right to use bus lanes in London.
While motorcyclists have quickly taken up bus lane use in London, compared to the actions of London cyclist campaign groups opposed to sharing bus lanes, not enough riders are responding to the Transport for London on-line survey and saying how safe and convenient bus lane use is.
The BMF is now urging all motorcycle users to add their comments to the TfL survey
This is important because Transport for London’s bus lane use is undergoing an 18 month trial and they have apparently already received large numbers of submissions from cyclists opposed to motorcyclists using bus lanes. User’s views and their numbers will count so motorcyclists need to get involved say the BMF.
With a strong cyclists’ lobby orchestrating a campaign against such use, motorcyclists could lose the scheme at the end of the 18 month period unless the motorcycle world demonstrates widespread support for the measure - particularly those motorcyclists from London and the South East.
To those outside London, the BMF say that the TfL scheme is being keenly watched by other towns and cities and failure of the scheme in London will dash hopes of gaining motorcycle use of bus lanes elsewhere.
Visit the TfL 'user views' website and complete the response form now
Note: Bristol has operated a permanent bus lane access since 1996 and Reading since 1999. Other sites are in: Northern Ireland, Birmingham, Colchester, Derby, Bath, Hull, Plymouth, Swindon, Sheffield, Richmond on Thames, Newcastle on Tyne, Sunderland and the M4 bus lane. Still being trialled in London are the Finchley Road (A41) at St John's Wood to Hampstead, the A23 to the South and A13 to the East.
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