To coincide with Ride to Work Week 2017 (19-25 June), the Motorcycle Industry Association (MCIA) is promoting what it says are the ‘huge benefits’ of motorists swapping their cars for a motorcycle or scooter.
If 10% of car drivers did this, the MCIA says there would be 20% more parking spaces, a 40% reduction in congestion for all road users and a reduction in the financial impact of congestion.
The MCIA quoted a Belgian study, which modelled the traffic for one of Europe’s most congested roads and found that if 10% of motorists swapped their car for a motorcycle, scooter or moped, then congestion was reduced for all road users by 40%. When 25% of drivers swapped, congestion was eliminated altogether.
The MCIA also referred to a National Travel Survey which found that 87% of car commuters travel to work alone, meaning there is huge capacity to increase the number of spaces available to people who swap to a motorcycle or scooter.
Steve Kenward, CEO of the MCIA, which organises Ride to Work Week, said a driver could also gain the equivalent of an extra four days holiday a year, if they switched to a motorcycle or scooter.
“Motorcyclists and scooter riders don’t waste 32 hours a year watching the bumper of the car in front, as they can filter. This means they tend to move through congested traffic at the same rate you would expect to move through free-flowing traffic.
“32 hours is the equivalent of four working days, which equates to an extra four days holiday each year. No wonder riders are the happiest commuters!”
The MCIA has developed the infographic below to highlight the benefits of riding to work:
For more information visit the Ride to Work Week website: ridetoworkweek.co.uk.
