British motorcycle registrations up 10% in April
The Staff of Clutch and Chrome
May 9th 2008
Registrations
of motorcycles, scooters and mopeds in Britain last month
were 10.2 per cent up on the same month last year, according
to figures issued by the Motor Cycle Industry Association (MCIA).
Powered two wheeler (PTW) registrations of 13,747 were 1,269
up on April, 2007. This takes the total market this year to
44,441 – up 1.3 per cent on the same period last year.
Increases were seen across almost all engine sizes and bike
categories with mopeds up 49.7 per cent and scooters up 42.3
per cent.
Motorcycle registrations gained 4.8 per cent with most
styles showing increases. Adventure sport bikes continued
their upward trend with a 27.8 per cent increase, with the
BMW R1200 GS the top seller. Supersport bike sales dipped
10.8 per cent. The biggest-selling make in April was Honda
with 1,990 registrations.
“This shows a very healthy market despite economic gloom and
poor riding weather,” said Craig Carey-Clinch of the MCIA.
“PTW use is now much more diverse, with the biggest gains in
commuter and practical, everyday bikes, suggesting more new
and younger riders. There are also strong signs that people
are looking for viable alternatives to putting up with
traffic jams or crowded public transport, recognising the
use and cost advantages of two wheels.”
News of the jump in PTW registrations comes at the same time
as Britain's Department for Transport (DfT) releasing
new figures on road transport use in 2007. The DfT says that
at the end of last year, 1.133 million motorcycles were
registered for road use, up 3.2 per cent on 2006 and the
biggest total since 1985. An additional 392,000 were
declared stored or off the road - a normal occurrence during
December and winter months.
Around one third of all bikes were of less than 125cc and
legal for use by learners. The average motorcycle engine
size was 510cc.
“In a year when PTW tests are going to become much more
complex, the industry is expecting a surge in full license
bike tests, and this will help to drive the market,” added
Craig Carey-Clinch. “With record fuel prices, congestion and
massive costs of living increases, people are looking for
cheaper and more efficient alternatives to the car and
public transport. Using a motorcycle has never made more
sense and there’s never been a better time to get on a
bike.”
The industry has just launched a campaign called Now’s the
Time, that draws attention to the changes in bike test
legislation and highlights the advantages of motorcycling.
The changes take effect in October and the MCIA provides
helpful tips and hints at the MCIA website,
Take your test now.
National Motorcycle Week from July 14 – 20 this year, with
Ride to Work Day on July 16 will be focal points for the
campaign. |
