RE: Drivers Ditch Cars For Bikes
Wednesday 13th August 2008
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.
Drivers Ditch Cars For Bikes
Car sales down as people turn to two wheels
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.’
Discussion
Lets hope your average dumb car user will become more bike aware then. I really have become amazed at just how complacent and crap the average diver car user is these days. 40 in a 60... huge cue of cars behind, nobody even attempting to overtake. 30 zone arrives and the same cue of cars continue at 40. Back into 60 still doing 40. Nice open stretch appears, I safely overtake, they all beep and flash their lights as I do so!
Edited by [AJ] on Wednesday 13th August 10:50
I'm not one bit surprised by this, as a guy on a tight budget I've considered this myself. Missus put a stop to it on safety grounds so probably wont be using it as a commuting option - weather doesn't help either. Still intend to learn though to keep options open if there's another fuel crisis looming in the near future.
[AJ] said:
Lets hope your average dumb car user will become more bike aware then. I really have become amazed at just how complacent and crap the average diver car user is these days. 40 in a 60... huge cue of cars behind, nobody even attempting to overtake. 30 zone arrives and the same cue of cars continue at 40. Back into 60 still doing 40. Nice open stretch appears, I safely overtake, they all beep and flash their lights as I do so!
Thank God it's not just me who has noticed this!Edited by [AJ] on Wednesday 13th August 10:50
It's the same people who moan about tailgaters - you are doing 20mph LESS than the speed limit on this nice, clear day!! Don't be surprised if someone wants to go past you.
Edited by PhantomPH on Wednesday 13th August 10:54
Myself and a mate were talking about this just last week. We are both considering chopping in the cars for superbikes and getting a cheap daily driver. My brother has already done it in fact, he has chopped in his MR2 Roadster for a TDI Mondeo and a new limited edition Suzuki GSXR1000 TT Edition. 185BHP on a bike is very tempting, particularly when he leaves me for dead everytime in my WRX!!!
More and more have done the switch for commuting this year, but the new tests later in the year will slow the migration somewhat. Also, the government are on to this switch and will increase the road tax and no doubt the insurance will get their sticky fingers in as well. I have only been riding for 2 years and noticed more motorbikes on the road, I personally think the Motorbike CBT should be compulsory for all learner drivers, bikes or cars!
On a small 125 or scooter is damn nerve racking through streets of London and some of the large A roads.....if car drivers were given this opportunity many might have more respect for motorcyclist, barring some of the insane nut cases we have already making the biking community satans best friend
On a small 125 or scooter is damn nerve racking through streets of London and some of the large A roads.....if car drivers were given this opportunity many might have more respect for motorcyclist, barring some of the insane nut cases we have already making the biking community satans best friend
I'll bet that Motorcyclists will be targeted next... probably through parking fees as has started in C.London. as long as they use the money to imporve parking I'm ok with it because currently I turn up for work at around 9am and the spaces have been filled with scooters from various estate agents... I end up parking on the office door step..which is thankfully accepted at the moment.
Nostrils said:
More and more have done the switch for commuting this year, but the new tests later in the year will slow the migration somewhat. Also, the government are on to this switch and will increase the road tax and no doubt the insurance will get their sticky fingers in as well. I have only been riding for 2 years and noticed more motorbikes on the road, I personally think the Motorbike CBT should be compulsory for all learner drivers, bikes or cars!
On a small 125 or scooter is damn nerve racking through streets of London and some of the large A roads.....if car drivers were given this opportunity many might have more respect for motorcyclist, barring some of the insane nut cases we have already making the biking community satans best friend
Totally agree with the CBT idea! Im no idiot in the car and i have always tried to give room to bikes, but its only really since my brother has been riding that i have really payed full attention to bikes, i would have benefited from it.On a small 125 or scooter is damn nerve racking through streets of London and some of the large A roads.....if car drivers were given this opportunity many might have more respect for motorcyclist, barring some of the insane nut cases we have already making the biking community satans best friend
Let me get this right...
With some of the most expensive trains in the world in the UK many people are forced to drive cars, which is far less safe per km travelled than a train journey. The same goes for all the additional taxes on air travel making it ever more expensive.
Then, the government is extremely concerned about road safety and so implement policies which result in huge numbers of fixed and mobile speed camera sites throughout the UK generating massive revenue from motorists but resulting in virtually no change in UK-wide casualty statistics.
Then, the very same government, introduces legislation which makes cars ever more expensive (forecourt tax, rising fuel duty, road tax, etc.), forcing many people onto motorbikes which are 40 times as likely to generate a casualty per km when compared to cars (based on 1997 statistics for Scotland).
Truly, an 'integrated transport policy'.
This bunch of zero-charisma, incompetent, arrogant meddlers need to go!
With some of the most expensive trains in the world in the UK many people are forced to drive cars, which is far less safe per km travelled than a train journey. The same goes for all the additional taxes on air travel making it ever more expensive.
Then, the government is extremely concerned about road safety and so implement policies which result in huge numbers of fixed and mobile speed camera sites throughout the UK generating massive revenue from motorists but resulting in virtually no change in UK-wide casualty statistics.
Then, the very same government, introduces legislation which makes cars ever more expensive (forecourt tax, rising fuel duty, road tax, etc.), forcing many people onto motorbikes which are 40 times as likely to generate a casualty per km when compared to cars (based on 1997 statistics for Scotland).
Truly, an 'integrated transport policy'.
This bunch of zero-charisma, incompetent, arrogant meddlers need to go!
xspencex said:
I'll bet that Motorcyclists will be targeted next... probably through parking fees as has started in C.London. as long as they use the money to imporve parking I'm ok with it because currently I turn up for work at around 9am and the spaces have been filled with scooters from various estate agents... I end up parking on the office door step..which is thankfully accepted at the moment.
Yeah I am sure they will. Just like the MASSIVE investment in keeping our roads amongst the best in the world from all that tax and £60 a throw tickets.Sorry but LMFAO. There is no chance.
Sorry, I don't think the stats are linked, at least not in the proportions that they are inferring.
Would also be good to see train & cycle use in the same period. Bet they're up too.
People buying less cars? Yes, I'm one of them, so I can believe that one.
Those same people shifting from cars - motorcycles? Nope.
Would also be good to see train & cycle use in the same period. Bet they're up too.
People buying less cars? Yes, I'm one of them, so I can believe that one.
Those same people shifting from cars - motorcycles? Nope.
Spot on.
I commute 80kms everyday. My MX-5 (NB) is a little thirsty, and getting a little old. Toll roads are getting more expensive too.
Decided to give due rest to the MX-5. Considered going diesel. Head said 'best option', heart insulted me with a vengeance.
Got a second hand bike. Became the born-again biker I used to hate back in the time when I was a Performance Bikes magazine subscriber.
I live in Lisbon, so weather not a problem. Toll roads 30% cheaper for bikes. Fuel consumption is down 40%. Commuting time is down too. Overall, I'm saving about 30€ every week; that's 120€ a month. It feels like I got a pay rise. (Although there is a small offset by some really long detours on the way home...)
And consider this: even driving a good driver's car of your choice, while commuting, you rarely get a chance to actually enjoy it, at least in most cases. While riding a bike, you DO get to enjoy it much more of the time.
So there, I'm proud to be contributing to the statistic (err...the portuguese one, that is), and I'm just sorry to only recently having taken the plunge.
I commute 80kms everyday. My MX-5 (NB) is a little thirsty, and getting a little old. Toll roads are getting more expensive too.
Decided to give due rest to the MX-5. Considered going diesel. Head said 'best option', heart insulted me with a vengeance.
Got a second hand bike. Became the born-again biker I used to hate back in the time when I was a Performance Bikes magazine subscriber.
I live in Lisbon, so weather not a problem. Toll roads 30% cheaper for bikes. Fuel consumption is down 40%. Commuting time is down too. Overall, I'm saving about 30€ every week; that's 120€ a month. It feels like I got a pay rise. (Although there is a small offset by some really long detours on the way home...)
And consider this: even driving a good driver's car of your choice, while commuting, you rarely get a chance to actually enjoy it, at least in most cases. While riding a bike, you DO get to enjoy it much more of the time.
So there, I'm proud to be contributing to the statistic (err...the portuguese one, that is), and I'm just sorry to only recently having taken the plunge.
PhantomPH said:
[AJ] said:
Lets hope your average dumb car user will become more bike aware then. I really have become amazed at just how complacent and crap the average diver car user is these days. 40 in a 60... huge cue of cars behind, nobody even attempting to overtake. 30 zone arrives and the same cue of cars continue at 40. Back into 60 still doing 40. Nice open stretch appears, I safely overtake, they all beep and flash their lights as I do so!
Thank God it's not just me who has noticed this!Edited by [AJ] on Wednesday 13th August 10:50
It's the same people who moan about tailgaters - you are doing 20mph LESS than the speed limit on this nice, clear day!! Don't be surprised if someone wants to go past you.
Edited by PhantomPH on Wednesday 13th August 10:54
i think this is great news for the UK roads.
Basically if more people are on bikes it means by the end of summer there will be less drivers around as most will have killed them selves on there silly fast bikes. Thus making more space for us godd old 4 wheel drivers.
Win win situation me thinks
Basically if more people are on bikes it means by the end of summer there will be less drivers around as most will have killed them selves on there silly fast bikes. Thus making more space for us godd old 4 wheel drivers.
Win win situation me thinks
loomx said:
PhantomPH said:
[AJ] said:
Lets hope your average dumb car user will become more bike aware then. I really have become amazed at just how complacent and crap the average diver car user is these days. 40 in a 60... huge cue of cars behind, nobody even attempting to overtake. 30 zone arrives and the same cue of cars continue at 40. Back into 60 still doing 40. Nice open stretch appears, I safely overtake, they all beep and flash their lights as I do so!
Thank God it's not just me who has noticed this!Edited by [AJ] on Wednesday 13th August 10:50
It's the same people who moan about tailgaters - you are doing 20mph LESS than the speed limit on this nice, clear day!! Don't be surprised if someone wants to go past you.
Edited by PhantomPH on Wednesday 13th August 10:54
Fetchez la vache said:
Sorry, I don't think the stats are linked, at least not in the proportions that they are inferring.
Would also be good to see train & cycle use in the same period. Bet they're up too.
People buying less cars? Yes, I'm one of them, so I can believe that one.
Those same people shifting from cars - motorcycles? Nope.
Agreed, just coincidence, not a news story at all!Would also be good to see train & cycle use in the same period. Bet they're up too.
People buying less cars? Yes, I'm one of them, so I can believe that one.
Those same people shifting from cars - motorcycles? Nope.
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