Two wheels good
Commuters are trying to find new ways of travelling without using public transport. Are motorbikes the obvious answer? Ed Wiseman reports
Motorcycles and scooters are enjoying a renaissance in the coronavirus era. Inexpensive, entertaining and fundamentally socially distanced, “powered two-wheelers” – the umbrella term for motorcycles, mopeds and everything in between – are becoming increasingly popular among commuters who don’t want to use trains and buses.
The transition from four wheels to two can be daunting, especially for those who have spent their entire motoring life in a car; motorbikes have silly names, different rules and a seemingly obscure licencing process. But if you already have a pink driver’s licence, all you need to do is to undertake a one-day Compulsory Basic Training course – known colloquially as a CBT – and you can jump on a 125cc, or an electric model with an equivalent power output (a maximum of 15bhp).
You won’t be able to go on the motorway without further training, and you’ll need to retake your CBT in two years’ time (the course normally costs less than £150) but on a 125cc machine you can join the throngs of scooter riders filtering through stationary traffic, or the commuters replacing the crowded, sweaty train ride for a motorbike that costs less than a season ticket.
And that’s the real benefit of motorcycling – it’s cheap. 125cc models start at less than £2,000 new, and even the most expensive, high-performance “dream” bikes cost less than a dieselengined Volkswagen Golf. Factoring in the low cost of ownership, the widespread availability of second-hand bikes, the considerable time saved on any urban journey, the free parking and three-figure fuel efficiency, motorcycling could be the perfect solution to the post-covid transport quandary.
This is great news for manufacturers and training providers, who report a significant spike in interest this year. Honda, one of the world’s main motorbike manufacturers, is offering a £200 “back to work” bonus to new riders who buy a 125cc bike, which will easily pay for your CBT. And some employers and local authorities offer further discounts of various sorts, aimed at getting newcomers safely on to two wheels.