Slower growth in number of motorcycles

There were nearly 568 thousand motorcycles in the Netherlands on 1 January 2007, 15 thousand more than one year previously. Nearly half of the motorcycles are registered in the provinces South Holland, North Brabant and North Holland. Motorcycles seem to be becoming less popular among the younger generation. Fewer than 10 percent of all motorcycles are registered to people aged under 30 years.

Lowest growth since 1998

Motorcycle sales numbered 15 thousand in 2006, the lowest level for years. In the top year 2000, as many as 20 thousand were sold. The growth in the total fleet of motorcycles is slowing down. Between 1998 and 2003 the total number of motorcycles grew by 5 percent per year; subsequently the rate gradually decreased to 2.7 percent in 2006.

Annual growth in moto cycle fleet

One third of all motorcycles were manufactured less than 10 years ago, over half less  than 15 years ago.

Number of motorcycles by year of manufacture, 1 January 2007

Regional concentration

Nearly half of all motorcycles are registered in just three provinces: South Holland (16 percent), North Brabant (16 percent) and North Holland (15 percent).
In the period 1998-2007 the number of motorcycles grew by most in the three northern provinces (Friesland, Groningen and Drenthe): by 67 percent on average. In the southernmost provinces (Zeeland, North-Brabant and Limburg) the motorcycle fleet increased by 50 percent.

Motorcycles by region

Motorcyclists ageing

The decreasing growth in the number of motorcycles is partly caused by a diminished interest in motorcycling among younger age groups. In 2007 fewer than 10 percent of motorcycle owners were in their twenties, compared with 20 percent in 2000.  Today nearly two-thirds of all motorcyclists are older than forty, and the group seems to be ageing.

Motorcycles by age of owner

Huub Coninx