By PATRICK GOWER
Cruising on a motorbike is not as crowded as it used to be.
The popularity of motorcycles has almost halved over a decade, according to the Land Transport Safety Authority's travel survey.
The big drop has been in motorcycle use by those aged 15 to 24.
This group rode 120 million
km in 1989-90 but less than 30 million in 1997-98.
Transport experts told the Herald last night that the figures signalled the change in the motorcycle from a commuter vehicle to a leisure machine.
The study says that between 1989-90 and 1997-98, motorcycle ownership fell 40 per cent and the total distance ridden by motorcyclists went down almost as much.
The fall is almost entirely the result of a change in motorcycling habits - people are turning their noses up at scooters and smaller motorcycles under 125cc.
Authority spokesman Craig Dowling - who zapped around on a scooter when he was at university - says cheap imported cars have usurped motorcycles as transport for the young.
"Motorcycles used to be the mode of choice economically, but coupled with the known safety risk, younger drivers are now opting for cheap, used, imported cars."
Peter Scarth, of Motorcycle Trader and News magazine, says the trend means manufacturers and importers are now targeting the leisure market rather than commuters.
This is reflected in the survey by the small rise in ownership of larger motorcycles over 750cc.
"Basically no one in this country uses motorcycles as a regular mode of transport any more," says Mr Scarth.
"Motorcycling is a lot more adventuresome, a lot more fun and I prefer it myself, but it's not going to keep you dry and warm like a cheap car is."
Despite the survey results, Mr Scarth is in no doubt that motorcycling remains cool.
"There's still a great image ... look at the clothing."
