The motorcycle licence almost nobody uses: 4 in 5 go inactive

Four out of five motorcycle licences go unused

Is getting a motorcycle licence worth it? The answer depends on what for. If the plan is to use it as your regular means of transport for years, the figures involved give you pause for thought. England has around 5 million full motorcycle licence holders, but only about 1.3 million active riders, leaving four fifths of licence holders off the road, according to MAG UK data cited in the thread. In Spain, with more than 66,000 new motorcycle licences issued in 2014 — the first rise after five years of decline — the ratio between vehicles sold and licences issued doesn't square with the idea of a passion that keeps its users either.

The underlying argument is simple: if motorcycles were so advantageous compared to cars, those who get the licence would prefer to ride. And that doesn't happen. The retention rate for motorcycles is notably lower than for cars, and that shows both in the statistics and when counting vehicles on the street.

The ratio that debunks the story: 5.5 cars per motorcycle

In 2014, 411,000 driving licences were issued in Spain, of which 367,000 were for the car licence (category B) alone. In other words, 5.5 car licences are issued for every motorcycle licence. If motorcycles retained their riders the way cars do, you would expect to see one motorcycle for every 5.5 cars on the street. The reality, according to the direct observation made in the discussion, is very different: depending on the place and time of year, it's common to count between 20 and 50 cars per motorcycle.

That gap is not a subjective impression. In 2014, 1.7 motorcycles were sold per new motorcycle licence, while 2.3 cars were sold per new car licence. If retention were equal for both vehicles, 2.3 motorcycles should be sold per new motorcycle licence. 0.6 are missing. That gap is the footprint of motorcyclists who hold a licence and don't use it.

Why riders give up: cold, scares and the years

The reasons given for quitting motorcycles are varied and quite down to earth. The first is the weather: many springtime enthusiasts quit in their first autumn-winter, upon discovering that riding is uncomfortable and risky in cold and rain. Some recount flus that wouldn't go away and the decision to switch to the car for the commute. The second is antiestéticar: one scare without consequences is enough for a rider to see the writing on the wall and never ride again. The third is accidents with more or less serious injuries, which turn statistics into flesh and blood.

Add to that physical wear and tear. Over the years, reflexes, strength, balance and eyesight decline, and riding a motorcycle safely requires being at one hundred percent. There's also the cost: some argue that a motorcycle's maintenance, insurance, gear and fuel end up being comparable to those of a small petrol car, especially outside the small engine sizes.

Those who do stick with it: decades of riding and zero accidents

Not everyone gives up. There are motorcyclists who have been riding for decades with zero accidents and who have used their motorcycle daily for 26, 30 or even nearly 40 years. Some have several bikes in the garage and still consider it their favourite vehicle. The passion exists and it's not marginal.

But it's worth distinguishing between the hardcore enthusiast and the ordinary user. The former persists; the latter votes with their feet. And there's a third, very common profile: the one who has the licence, keeps the motorcycle in the garage and rides it six months a year or only on holiday. Holding a licence is not the same as using it.

The real cost of getting the licence: money, time and exams

The outlay is not small either. The discussion mentions 550 euros spent on lessons and paperwork, with the prospect of paying more if you fail, plus 190 euros for renewal. Add to that the difficulty of the manoeuvres and the possibility of passing the road test on the fifth or sixth attempt. For those who get the licence just to try it out, the bill can easily exceed that of the car licence.

The underlying question is not whether motorcycles are liked, but whether they will be used. And the available data suggest that, in most cases, the answer is not for long.

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In the end, the motorcycle licence works like that January gym membership: you pay the fee with enthusiasm, go for a few weeks, and then the payments keep coming in without anyone setting foot in the gym.