Motorcycle registrations still running red hot

Motorcycle popularity in Australia continued to grow at a faster rate than any other vehicle type in the 12 months to March 2009, with registrations up by 10.0 per cent, according to figures released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).

The latest motor vehicle census shows that registrations are up by 10 per cent during that period, while registrations (including scooter) have increased by 57.5 per cent over the five years to 2009.

This popularity saw motorcycles earn a four per cent fleet share of all vehicles registered in Australia, rising from 2.9 per cent in 2004. This compares with passenger vehicles, which have dropped from a 78.5 percent to 76.7 per cent during the same period.

Increases in motorcycle registrations over this five-year period have been observed in all states and territories, with Western Australia recording the largest percentage increase (75.9), followed by the Northern Territory (70.2), with Victoria (44.1) the lowest.

At March 31 this year, the average age of all vehicles registered in Australia was 9.9 years. Light rigid trucks and motorcycles showed the largest decreases in average age, both dropping 1.1 years.

Data from the census shows that 15.7 million vehicles were registered in Australia in 2009. This equated to 72 vehicles for every 100 Australian residents. In the 12 months to March 2009 the total number of vehicle registrations grew by 2.5 per cent.