Despite recent political and health concerns, motorcycle and bicycle sales continue to rise. The COVID-19 pandemic has also prompted a surge in motorcycle and bicycle sales. Other topics discussed include New York City’s congestion pricing plan for motorcycles and bicycles, the safety of riding a motorcycle, and the emergence of female riders. Here are some interesting statistics on motorcycle and bicycle ridership.
COVID-19 pandemic led to increased motorcycle and bicycle sales
After declining for years, the COVID-19 pandemic was the catalyst for a sudden increase in motorcycle and bicycle sales. With the increased awareness of the disease, more people are opting for the two-wheeled mode of transportation, and this is great news for retailers. Bicycle and motorcycle repair shops are seeing brisk business, too. Fortunately, bike and motorcycle sales won’t be stagnant for long.
While the number of COVID-19 cases dropped nationally in recent months, some areas continue to ban cycling and scootering, limit the hours of operation, and impose regulations on group sizes. These measures are aimed at cutting down on road traffic, which should mean fewer accidents. As motorcycle and bicycle riding are more hazardous than riding passenger vehicles, it’s important to consider the possible impact on your health and well-being of riding a bike or scooter.
Until recently, two-wheelers were primarily considered recreational vehicles, not necessities. Despite this, the COVID-19 pandemic has made two-wheelers more popular and accessible. Smaller displacement motorcycles, with engine capacities of 200-400cc, are easily accessible to first-timers and are often available on a lower-tier license. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, these smaller motorcycles hardly existed in the big-ticket American market.
Although there is no study specifically examining the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on motorcycle and bicycle sales in Asia, the results from this research are generally consistent with other studies. The study also shows that a large percentage of people who own a motorcycle or bicycle already owned one or had previously owned a motorcycle or bicycle. These individuals are more likely to buy a motorcycle if they have no cars, and it’s a much safer mode of travel.
After the COVID-19 pandemic, more people jumped on the two-wheeled modes of transportation. In fact, more than half of new riders said they plan to ride in the coming year. The COVID-19 pandemic led to temporary changes in cities, including the opening of cycle lanes and extending bicycle lanes. However, these changes may turn out to be permanent. People for Bikes is currently studying how the COVID-19 pandemic impacted bicycle and motorcycle sales. The study also notes that the newfound optimism can help new riders to increase their ridership.
New York City’s congestion pricing plan for motorcycles
Since its approval by the New York City legislature in 2019, the city’s congestion pricing plan has faced many hurdles. Many critics from New Jersey say the current system is unfair, as motorists from their state already pay hefty tolls to enter the city. Democratic Rep. Josh Gottheimer recently announced legislation to withhold federal transit grants from New York City and offer tax credits for New Jersey motorists who use the city’s roads.
Currently, there is no set date for the implementation of the plan, and the fee is not enforceable until 2021. The plan would apply to parts of Manhattan below 60th Street. Some people would be exempt from paying the fee, including residents of low-income areas, people with disabilities, and those who visit medical services in the city. In the meantime, drivers would have to pay at least $11 and trucks would have to pay $25. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority will set the pricing in the coming months.
While the city had originally planned to implement the congestion pricing plan in early 2021, it’s likely to take months before the program will be up and running. The program will also require some infrastructure and software before it can be implemented. And if the city is successful, it might become an example for other cities to follow. While New York City’s congestion pricing plan is far from final, it’s still worth exploring.
The proposal for congestion pricing for motorcycles has faced a variety of criticism from critics, including those who believe that motorcycles shouldn’t be subject to the new tolls. But, the city’s administration claims that the program won’t cause harm to the motorcycle industry. Many bikers and other motorcycle owners are opposing the plan, claiming that it will discourage sales in the city.
The plan has also faced several other hurdles. The panel responsible for drafting the congestion pricing plan for New York City has to decide which vehicles are exempt from the charges. It’s not clear what will be the criteria for exemptions. Some countries have exempted motorcycles from congestion pricing a decade ago. Others have lowered their standards to attract more bike owners.
Female riders
While the numbers of women who ride motorcycles are still far from the percentages of men, the rise in female ridership has a number of reasons. Like men, they see riding as a form of recreation and independence, as well as a sense of empowerment and community. Female riders may be inspired by other factors as well. Listed below are some of the reasons why women choose to ride.
The Women’s Cycle Movement has set the goal of doubling the number of women who ride motorcycles by the year 2020. In 2013, only 13 percent of motorcycle owners were women. Now, the number is nearly 26 percent. WCM board chair Dangerously Persistent is a scientist by day and a passionate advocate for bringing more women into the sport. She also plans to hold a motorcycle ride this summer in honor of her mother, who is a passionate motorcycle rider.
As a result, more women are getting into the sport of motorcycling. According to the Motorcycle Industry Council, women now account for 20 percent of all motorcyclists. Among women, Black and Latinx riders are more likely than males to be riding. These statistics are encouraging, and could help explain why female motorcycle ridership has risen over the last few years. But why is it so high?
One reason for this may be the safety aspect. A study of 48,000 American households found that almost half of women who ride motorcycles were women. These women rated test rides and fuel economy as their top two reasons for riding. Another factor could be the fact that female riders are increasingly aware of the importance of safety. Sixty percent of female riders took a motorcycle safety course, compared to only 42 percent of men. In fact, there are even state motorcycle safety training programs with a thirty percent female population.
Women who ride motorcycles may also want to take a more active role in the motorcycle world. Women can support each other by becoming members of a motorcycle club. They can also offer legal assistance if a fellow rider gets hurt or suffers serious injury. The smartest clubs appoint a motorcycle attorney to support their riders. In addition to helping women who ride motorcycles, these organizations also help women who have suffered serious brain injuries or wrongful death. However, women who ride motorcycles are unlikely to become full patched members of a motorcycle club. But, they are starting to make a difference.
Safety of riding a motorcycle
Among the U.S. population, 14 percent of road fatalities are motorcycle-related. That is a rise of five percent from 2015, and it is nearly double the number that occurred twenty years ago. However, it is important to note that motorcycle deaths are not limited to the younger crowd. Older riders have higher rates of fatalities, too. In general, motorcycle riders should wear a helmet, since they reduce the risk of injury by more than six percent.
As motorcycles are much smaller than passenger vehicles, they are harder to spot. But not seeing a motorcycle is no excuse for an accident. Drivers should pay attention to the road and turn their heads to see if a motorcycle is approaching. While this may seem obvious, 80% of motorcycle crashes involve a collision with another vehicle. The statistics are still grim, but there have been significant improvements in motorcycle safety over the past few years.
Research has shown that wearing a helmet reduces the chance of head injury by 69%. Increasingly, many motorcycle riders are using helmets, which have improved their visibility. And the use of goggles and glasses has been proven to reduce the chance of eye injuries. In fact, 73% of motorcycle crashes result from riders not wearing eyewear. Ultimately, safety is the best way to reduce accidents and protect yourself. So, don’t wait any longer and begin wearing protective gear today!
Riders must take the time to educate themselves about road hazards and other vehicles. In addition to better education, many federal agencies are looking into connected vehicle technologies that can detect other vehicles and slow down, or even warn riders of a potential crash. By understanding these dangers, motorcycle riders can ride more safely. They should also consider the potential benefits of connected vehicle technologies, such as motorcycles that can detect other cars and slow down when they come into contact.
The dangers of a motorcycle accident are well known. According to the Association for Safe International Road Travel, approximately 38,000 people die in traffic accidents every year and 4.4 million suffer serious injuries. Sadly, this number is even scarier when it comes to motorcycle fatalities. A study by the Insurance Information Institute shows that motorcyclists face a 29-fold higher risk of dying in an accident than occupants of a passenger car.
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