The Motor Cycle Industry Association (MCIA) have recently announced the new registration figures for April 2009.

They reveal that although they are down on last April by 6.5% and overall the powered two wheeler market is down 12.4% on the same month last year motorcycles the market is still far stronger than the car market which was down 24%.

The MCIA said “the results demonstrate the continuing relevance of motorcycles, mopeds and scooters as a transport option which offers affordability, freedom and fun,” and “The market is demonstrating its resilience in the face of continued economic uncertainty”

Even within these figures there are some surprising trends e.g. naked style and custom bikes, between 651 and 1000 cc, recorded increased registrations. Naked and custom styles showed gains of 32.4 and 2.6 per cent respectively with the Honda CBF 125 M and Harley-Davidson Dyna Fat Bob the biggest sellers in these categories.

Sheila Rainger of the MCIA further said “The continued popularity of the naked motorcycle, and the dominance within that category of a learner-legal practical machine, suggests people are looking for multi-purpose bikes that combine fun with utility, and can take the place of a second household car.

There will be certain factors likely to influence the continued strength in the market making motorcycles an even more attractive and economic alternative to four wheels:

• 2p fuel rise in fuel duty in September
• The reintroduction of the fuel duty escalator from next Spring

Missed Opportunity Of Road Safety Strategy

Given the obvious benefits of motorcycling it is a tad annoying that the government missed a real chance to improve rider safety and reduce the deaths of motorcyclists in their recently published road safety strategy.

There was plenty of evidence put forward by both the MCIA and riders groups like the Motorcycle Action Group regarding the fact that one-third of accidents are caused by the basic driver error of failure to look properly. Therefore measures to reduce speed, which have been proven to not have a significant effect in other European countries, are putting a sticking plaster over a wide open wound.

Scrappage Scheme – Not For Motorcycles!

In addition, although the new scrappage scheme for cars is basically rubbish, neither going far enough to really help the industry and not offering any better discounts than are already in the marketplace, why was the scheme not extended to the motorcycle industry?

Probably for the same reason the DVLA are still being allowed to delete motorcycle entitlements from licences……..(make up your own answers here dear reader)

Ride To Work Day

To highlight the benefits of motorcycling, the MCI will once again co-ordinate the popular National Motorcycle Week campaign. National Motorcycle Week 2009 will run from July 12 – 18th, with Ride to Work Day on July 15th.