More from those freewheelin’ funsters at the Motor Cycle Industry Association, who, in their latest press release, bent over backwards to hollow themselves out into a veritable mine of information on matters bikes and biking:
“Why do bikers bike?” the Associates asked themselves rhetorically. This calls for a survey, somebody inevitably decided. And, lo, there was a survey. So what is it people like about riding a Motor Cycle?
Is it because they want to go fast?
Not really (4%).
Because they are looking for thrills?
Not so much (4%).
Er, for the adventure?
Not really (4%).
I know: it’s because they want to save money and/or can’t afford a proper vehicle with the standard number of wheels!
You are still pitifully wide of the mark (9%).
Look, this is all getting pretty tedious.
This is Bankstone News, remember!
Could you maybe just tell me?
Well, since you ask, the top three things bikers like about biking are, number one: Freedom (26%), number two: practicality (23%), number three: it’s a friendly form of transport (18%). Others like it because it is fun (11%).
Thank you for those startling revelations. Got anything else?
Well, the same You Gov survey from which the above gems were excavated reveals that one third of 24-34 year olds are jealous of motorcycles passing freely though stationary traffic, as are one fifth of all Southerners (stop whingeing and buy a bike, we say without even being sponsored by the MCIA or Devitt). Car drivers and bus passenger are the most jealous of motorcycles passing freely though.
Enough with the jealousy already!
OK, how about this nugget: One-third of commuters are ‘sometimes’ late for work because of traffic and congestion, whereas 67% of bikers are “never” late for work!
Correct me if I am wrong, but 100 minus 67 leaves 33, making bikers precisely average in their late-for-work propensity.
You may have a point. But I bet they could get there on time if they wanted! Oh, hang on, here’s some solid gold statistics to get your teeth into:
FACT: The active UK rider population is 1.5 million and an estimated 3.8 million people in the UK have a driving licence with a moped/motorcycle entitlement.
FACT: 14% of the people who took their test in 2007/08 were women: 12,061 of them in all, compared with 75,884 men.
FACT: 17% more people passed their test in 2007/08 than in 2006/07 and
20% more people passed their test in 2008/09 than in 2007/08.
FACT: Motorcycle commuters can cut their journeys by 12% compared with car drivers – up to 34% in London (Source: Regional Transport Statistics 2008).
FACT: A typical scooter consumes between 55% and 81% less fuel than a car on the same journey.
FAT: The motorcycle industry in the UK employs more than 15,000 people and turns over in excess of £3 billion a year.
So we should all get out there on 15th July for the MCIA-sponsored National Ride to Work Day.
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