CAN BIKES BE THE FUTURE IN THE POSTCOVID WORLD?
Investigation Has Covid spurred the nation to take to two wheels?
FINDING POSITIVITY IN a lethal global pandemic isn’t an easy task but motorcycling is proving to be a major beneficiary, as commuters abandon public transport and turn to two wheels instead.
As we’re being encouraged to return to our offices while still being told to avoid close contact and stay off public transport where possible, it’s no surprise that people are turning to two wheels. However, few could have predicted the scale of the influx of new riders.
Despite being forced to close their doors for months during the initial British lockdown, many bike dealers have now made more sales in the first eight months of 2020 than in the same period last year, with huge growth particularly since lockdown measures were loosened.
The numbers are impressive. The slump after March’s lockdown was apparent in April’s newregistration figures for bikes and scooters, down 31.1%, and worsened in May with an eye-watering 50.4% slump — unsurprising given that most dealers were closed or only making sales remotely at the time. But since then, the
‘There can be a bright future for two wheels’ TONY CAMPBELL, CEO OF MCIA
trend has reversed, according to data from the Motorcycle Industry Association, with increases of 14.8%, 41.9% and 31.2% in June, July and August.
Biking’s advantage
“The advantages of people using bikes for transport and the social distancing it brings are clear”, said Tony Campbell, CEO of the MCIA. “At this time of uncertainty, the kit and protective clothing add another layer of security and allow people to feel like they are isolating further.”
“Powered two-wheelers have been in high demand, especially in the 125-500cc categories, with some of the best sales that we’ve seen for a long time — and there has been a real mix of people buying them, from brandnew riders to lapsed licenceholders. For them it’s fun, it’s familiar and helps them feel protected. We’ve got 5-6 million licence-holders but only 1-2 million active motorcyclists. As well as getting new riders, we’ve always wanted to get as many lapsed riders as possible back into biking.”
Small capacity leads the way
The latest figures show that scooters are the big winners, with a 56.6% rise in July and another 39.5% increase in August, compared to the same period last year. Honda’s best-selling PCX125 achieved 246 sales in July 2019 but sold 458 in July 2020. While some of that’s down to a pent-up market, with customers buying the bikes they originally intended to pick up earlier in the year, it also reflects a significant chunk of new riders coming into the fold.
Manufacturers and main dealers have been fighting to keep up with demand, with warehouses of cheap, small-capacity bikes being emptied. However, demand for used bikes is at an all-time high, too.
Colin Mulligan, general manager of Warringtonbased In2moto, which deals in Chinese-made bikes and used machines, said: “People are calling into our showroom and we are providing commuter bikes/scooters,
organising low-rate finance deals and arranging CBTS through the showroom — effectively making it a ‘onestop’ experience for newcomers to motorcycling. This is enabling folk to commute in a completely socially-distanced environment, alone inside
their crash helmet, and saving money against train, bus or car-parking costs.”
Experienced bikers are also now using their bikes for commuting, to the point that some are actually changing to more-suitable machines. One such biker is RIDE reader Nick Hoath. “I’ve just changed my bike from a Kawasaki Z900RS to a Tiger 1200 XRT so I can complete my near 80-mile commute in more comfort. I’d only ridden to work on the odd occasions previously, as it’s not a great ride from Chichester to the centre of Brighton in rush hour. But I’ll be aiming to avoid the trains until this virus clears. The Tiger’s as cheap to run as my very economical diesel car.”
Will the trend continue?
With no clear end to the pandemic in sight, but a willingness for us all to go about our business, bikes are looking like the perfect solution to socially distanced, environmentally friendly and congestion-free transport. “It looks like we’re going to be in this for the foreseeable future until a vaccine has been developed,” says Campbell. “We’re working with the government to make sure that powered two-wheelers can be seen as a viable transport alternative with a role to play in the future. The more these new riders use their bikes, the more they will see the benefits and enjoyment and then the more chance we’ve got to tempt them to stick with biking.
“We’re working on safety and de-carbonisation and technology will have a part to play in this too, as alternative power units come online. There can be a bright future for powered two-wheeled transport.”
‘I’m using my bike to avoid the trains until this virus goes away’ RIDE READER NICK HOATH