Drivers Ditch Cars For Bikes

Car sales down as people turn to two wheels

By Oli S / Wednesday, 13 August 2008 / Loading comments

Spiralling fuel costs are forcing us out of our cars and on to two wheels, it has been revealed. And it is not just young people who are buying motorbikes, with many new purchasers in their forties and fifties.

Motorbike sales have soared 22% in the last month to 14,306 according to the Motor Cycle Industry Association. Sales of all two-wheelers – including mopeds and scooters – have risen 1% in the first seven months of this year compared with the same period in 2007.

Car sales have fallen 3% in the first seven months of this month and there has been a 13% dip last month compared to July 2007. The biggest selling bikes in July were two Yamaha 125cc models – the YZF R125 and the YBR 125 – which shows people are in the market for small-engined bikes.

The association’s Craig Clinch said: ‘Against the backdrop of the credit crunch, inflation and economic uncertainty, this has been an up and down year for the market. But there are signs that people are switching to two wheels in order to make daily travel easier and cheaper.’