THE PERFECT COMMUTE, BY A (SOCIAL) DISTANCE
All intelligent and right-thinking people, usually known as bikers, can see that motorbikes are the perfect way to get to work while social distancing during the coronavirus crisis.
As Royal Enfield chief executive Vinod Dasari said in this column two weeks ago, after the crisis downturn, but with social distancing set to be in place for months if not years, commuters will spurn public transport and taxis, making motorcycles an obvious alternative.
Not to mention scooters and three-wheelers like the Piaggio MP3. When it was launched in 2006, 150,000 Europeans rushed out and bought one, because it wouldn’t fall over and was nippy. They could get to work in a flash, park anywhere, spend 5 pennies a year on fuel thanks to a frugal 125cc engine and, best of all, ride it on a car licence.
As a result, it’s the most popular scooter in Europe, and there are more of them than there are warm baguettes in Paris.
Maxi-scooters such as the BMW C 650 or Suzuki Burgman, meanwhile, are fast enough for comfy longer-distance motorway commuting.
Which is why MCIA, the UK’S Motorcycle Industry Association, is furious with Transport Secretary Grant Shapps for pledging €2billion for cyclists and walkers, while failing to mention motorcycles and scooters in this vision for the future of commuting.
MCIA’S head of marketing Nick Broomhall said the association was staggered to hear in Mr Shapps’ briefing on May 9 that no mention was made of bikes and scooters as an alternative to public transport in Britain.
“We urge people to write to their MPS asking why Government is not endorsing their use as an alternative to public transport,” he said.
“In the current climate they are the perfect alternative for those who would usually use public transport, but for whom walking and cycling are not viable options.”
MCIA chief executive Tony Campbell said: “Encouraging commuters to drive their cars into congested towns and city centres completely contradicts the Government’s objectives on climate change.”
Meanwhile the group’s chairman Paul de Lusignan said he was surprised and disappointed that Mr Shapps “continues to overlook motorcycles and scooters as the obvious answer to moving people in a safe way as the nation returns to work”.