UK Motorcycle Stats
Discussion
I saw someone mention about biking dying out in the UK - as I'm putting off a job, I had a quick google
Results from the National Travel Survey show that in England in 2016, motorcyclists made
around 440 motorcycle trips per year and travelled around 4,800 miles per year on average.
overall trends in the average number of trips made and the average distance travelled
by motorcyclists per year have remained broadly unchanged in recent years
Around 90% of motorcycle trips made and distance travelled were by men.
Around 2% of households had access to a motorcycle in 2016. While this figure has been between 2% and 3% since the late 1990s, there is some evidence that this percentage has been decreasing in recent years
There were 1.11 million licensed motorcycles in England at the end of 2016
There was a steady increase in the number of licensed motorcycles to a peak of 1.12 million in 2008. Since then, the trend has been more stable.
The number of motorcycles in 2016 was a 74% increase on the 1994 figure.
For the period 2002-2016, over half of motorcycle trips were for commuting or business purposes
The thing that surprised me most was what happened in 94 / 2016 to generate a 74% increase ?
Results from the National Travel Survey show that in England in 2016, motorcyclists made
around 440 motorcycle trips per year and travelled around 4,800 miles per year on average.
overall trends in the average number of trips made and the average distance travelled
by motorcyclists per year have remained broadly unchanged in recent years
Around 90% of motorcycle trips made and distance travelled were by men.
Around 2% of households had access to a motorcycle in 2016. While this figure has been between 2% and 3% since the late 1990s, there is some evidence that this percentage has been decreasing in recent years
There were 1.11 million licensed motorcycles in England at the end of 2016
There was a steady increase in the number of licensed motorcycles to a peak of 1.12 million in 2008. Since then, the trend has been more stable.
The number of motorcycles in 2016 was a 74% increase on the 1994 figure.
For the period 2002-2016, over half of motorcycle trips were for commuting or business purposes
The thing that surprised me most was what happened in 94 / 2016 to generate a 74% increase ?
KTMsm said:
I saw someone mention about biking dying out in the UK - as I'm putting off a job, I had a quick google
Putting off a job as in a proper job offer 9-5 , 5days a week? Or just putting off a chore ? If its the latter fair play .If its the job offer well done, no one needs that s
t to ruin a day. KTMsm said:
The number of motorcycles in 2016 was a 74% increase on the 1994 figure.
The thing that surprised me most was what happened in 94 / 2016 to generate a 74% increase ?
Is that sold in the year, registered in total that year, on the road, does it include scooters? Hard to tell when you don't know what 'number of motorcycles' is defined as. The thing that surprised me most was what happened in 94 / 2016 to generate a 74% increase ?
Bob_Defly said:
KTMsm said:
The number of motorcycles in 2016 was a 74% increase on the 1994 figure.
The thing that surprised me most was what happened in 94 / 2016 to generate a 74% increase ?
Is that sold in the year, registered in total that year, on the road, does it include scooters? Hard to tell when you don't know what 'number of motorcycles' is defined as. The thing that surprised me most was what happened in 94 / 2016 to generate a 74% increase ?
The change to the motorcycle licence restrictions in Jan 1997 resulted in a rush of people taking their test in 1996. I, for one spent ages on the phone trying to book a test (got a cancellation slot in the end), meaning I could ride any bike I wanted immediately after passing. 
I was already 30+ and I know of several around my age who had been thinking about it who did their test that year. It doesn't immediately follow that they all went and bought a bike, but I did, and I've had one (at the moment two) for most of the last 25 years with only 3 years off when I had nowhere to keep one.
I was already 30+ and I know of several around my age who had been thinking about it who did their test that year. It doesn't immediately follow that they all went and bought a bike, but I did, and I've had one (at the moment two) for most of the last 25 years with only 3 years off when I had nowhere to keep one.
As mentioned I think this needs to define "motorcycle" and state where the survey was conducted if we're to draw any conclusions from it. If 125cc+ scooters are counted as motorcycles and the survey was mostly in London, it'll paint a very different picture to what most of us consider "motorcycle culture" in the UK...
The issue with motorcycling dying out is not about the bikes being sold currently, there are lots of aging men who can now afford to fulfil their fantasies of multi-bike garages. The issue is about the average age of those who ride motorcycles. This is supported by the stats around average trips per person & per motorcyclist and average miles per person & per motorcyclist.
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/governmen...
While there are youngsters riding bikes they tend to be heavily represented by the likes of the Deliveroo and Uber Eats delivery riders on their scooters and mopeds. The remaining demographic profile of motorcycling is very heavily skewed towards the 50 plus brigade. The 30 to 50 year olds are simply not there in anything like the numbers needed to ensure that the next 30 years are anything like as positive.
Finally, as I remember it, the mid '90s was the the absolute bottom for motorcycles sales so, while saying there is a 74% improvement is good news, it is using a baseline that was dramatically down (a drop that was way more than the subsequent increase) on 20 years prior.
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/governmen...
While there are youngsters riding bikes they tend to be heavily represented by the likes of the Deliveroo and Uber Eats delivery riders on their scooters and mopeds. The remaining demographic profile of motorcycling is very heavily skewed towards the 50 plus brigade. The 30 to 50 year olds are simply not there in anything like the numbers needed to ensure that the next 30 years are anything like as positive.
Finally, as I remember it, the mid '90s was the the absolute bottom for motorcycles sales so, while saying there is a 74% improvement is good news, it is using a baseline that was dramatically down (a drop that was way more than the subsequent increase) on 20 years prior.
It needs braking down by manufacturer and bike type IMO. That paints an overly rosy picture if you're referring to the bike culture thread.
How many are Chinese electric bikes/scooters that are used for 2 or 3 years and then binned because they're crap.
How are the established manufacturers fairing? I get the impression that with the exception of BMW and Triumph they're on their arse.
How many are Chinese electric bikes/scooters that are used for 2 or 3 years and then binned because they're crap.
How are the established manufacturers fairing? I get the impression that with the exception of BMW and Triumph they're on their arse.
RazerSauber said:
I see a lot more scooters on the road thanks to deliveroo and the likes. If they're counted in the numbers then I'd suspect biking would look much more popular. That being said, every food rider I come across never give you a nod or anything so I'm happy to declassify them!
There's a deliveroo rider around here (Chelmsford, Essex) who rides a big old Hayabusa. I always give him a nod 
Gassing Station | Biker Banter | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff