Does biker black leather and grunge put young people off biking?

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Dateline: 19 December 2012

 

Over the past few months several non-biking friends have mentioned that they are put-off motorcycles and motorcyclists because we always look grungy and dangerous.

I didn’t like to tell them that was the whole idea, but it did set me thinking.

Maybe I’m looking grungier than usual; or is what I see as characterful seen as grunge by others? In places like Italy, most of Eastern Europe and Russia the biking community is much younger… i.e. a lot of men and women under 30. And the majority look cool, not just fearsome. Motorcycling used to be promoted to young people as a fun, cheap thing to do. But I doubt many under 30’s are spending £10,000+ on a new bike In the UK the number of riders is in decline - overall there are 120,000 less registrations of all bikes and scooters  than last year. Are we alienating a new generation of bikers whilst we pursue the fantasies of black leather, grunge and über technicity?






Comments

  • No, it's more likely the high cost of getting a license, plus the extremely high cost of bike insurance. I live in France where the insurance is lots cheaper, but you have to pay for training now just to ride a 125 and that's going to cost between 220 and 350 euros even if you already hold a car license. For a young person just starting out, then double that figure. It's sad.

    Posted by Bev Newman, 31/12/2012 4:48pm (11 years ago)

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