National Motorcycle Week promotes motorcycling and the benefits associated with it.
The campaign aims to demonstrate to the public, media and politicians the number of motorcyclists in the UK and at the same time it emphasises the important point that owners are from all walks of life and that riding has social, environmental and economic benefits.
National Motorcycle Week aims to emphasise the exhilaration associated with riding a motorcycle or scooter and raise awareness about its many social benefits and important transport and environmental issues including: reducing congestion, shorter journey times and saving money.
Ride 2 Work Day is the main event of the campaign, held on 18th July and riders and non-riders are encouraged to travel to work on two-wheels on this day.
Ride 2 Work Day highlights motorcycling:-
- Cuts congestion
- Cuts pollution
- Cuts journey times
- Is convenient and flexible
- Is cost-effective
It is a great occasion to introduce your non-riding friends or colleagues to two-wheels and either give them a lift to work or get involved with one of these other suggested activities. This year Bike Squads will be riding the roads at peak travel times to highlight these benefits.
Facts and FiguresThe Motorcycle Industry Association carried out research to find out more about attitudes to motorcycling safety and political issues.
- Over half (51%) of motorcyclists agreed that motorcycling/transport policies influenced their voting.
- There was almost universal support (94%) for road user education in schools.
- Over half of the general population and 87% of motorcyclists think that allowing bikes in bus lanes have benefits to road safety.
- There was support for councils improving road conditions from 82% of motorcyclists.
- Bikes and scooters are used by 44% of riders to travel to work.
Back to Basics- The active UK rider population is 1.5 million.
- An estimated 5 million people in the UK have a driving licence with moped/motorcycle entitlement.
- Women accounted for 17% of the people who took their test in 2004/05.
- Women – 11,559
- Men – 66,682
- Identical journeys take less time with a motorcycle than a car.
- Journeys can be reduced by 40-60% in London and by around 33% for other commuters.
- A typical scooter consumes between 55% and 81% less fuel than a car on the same journey (EC Motor Vehicle Emissions Group).
- Commuting accounts for two-thirds of all motorcycle journeys. ( DfT)
- Five motorcycles can be parked in a space occupied by one car.
- The distance travelled on two-wheels is around 5.5 billion km per year.
Related News
