Industry wants more land available for off-road bikers

The Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries which represents the new car and motorcycle distributors says politicians at all levels need to be cognisant of more and more Australians using off road motorcycles for recreation in the bush and therefore set aside appropriate land for their use.

The industry body also says it wants governments to motivate commuters to use motorcycles and scooters in cities and urban centres to reduce congestion and the load on Australia’s transport systems.

Why? The industry sees a lucrative opportunity to exploit the popularity of off road bikes as safer recreation in a COVID restricted world and scooter sales in this country are almost pitiful

Off-road motorcycle sales increased by almost 19% in 2021, accounting for 43% of the total market with 53,118 units sold. 

The OHV segment had growth of 13.9% on 2020 figures. This amounts to a total of 28,321 units sold representing 22.92% of the overall market.

“More and more Australians are using off road motorcycles to increase their physical fitness, as a form of mental wellbeing and as a way of experiencing the Australian bush. It is important for politicians at all levels to be cognisant of this and to set aside appropriate land for it,” FCAI chief executive Tony Weber says.

However, road bikes only saw a 6.8% increase to 37,270 sales in 2021 (30% of the overall market) and although scooter sales grew by 8.1% in 2021 to 4821 units sold, that only represents 3.9% of the overall market.

The FCAI says congestion is a perennial problem for all of Australia’s capital cities and major centres, and therefore road motorcycles and scooters should be seen as tools to help ease the load on Australia’s transport systems.

“Getting more commuters onto motorcycles and scooters will help to reduce congestion and increase traffic flow,” Weber says.

 “We are encouraging Governments to consider how they can motivate commuters to use motorcycles and scooters as safe, practical and efficient ways of getting around our cities and urban centres,” he says.