Car drivers are feeling so pinched by the cost of motoring that they’re switching to scooters en masse. Or at least that appears to be the case, based on figures from the Motorcycle Industry Association, which show a spike in scooter sales.
Figures show a 12 percent rise in new scooter transactions in 2011, despite motorcycle sales falling during the same year, and scooter sales having fallen by almost ten percent the previous year (2010).

The sales charts show that while there was a 20 percent rise in 125cc scooter sales specifically, there was a 32 percent drop in the sales of powerful sport motorcycles.

Quoted in The Guardian, Gary Thomas of Scootering magazine said: “The last time I remember such huge scooter sales figures was about 10-12 years ago when new automatic technology meant that all manufacturers came out with a wealth of new models.

“I suspect this time it is about cost. It is often two-car households who have decided that one of them will trade their car in for a scooter. The congestion charge also has an impact on people’s decision, as does the price of petrol.”

Scooter sales in the capital are, naturally, on the up, with Peugeot and Honda reporting jumps of around 60- and 40 percent respectively.

Peugeot believes it is fuel costs that are prompting the switch from cars to scooters, as well as parking charges, which are dramatically reduced (often free) with a scooter.

New car sales were down by 4.4 percent in 2011 compared to 2010, with 1.94m sold in the UK, though with the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders having predicted 1.92m sales, that’s seen as a good result.

Diesel car sales surpassed petrol car sales for the first time ever in the UK in 2011 – more proof that vehicle running costs are higher than ever on the agenda.

Asgard have teamed up with www.motorcyclescotland, supplying them with a fleet of motorcycle storage sheds for safely storing your bikes in when you stay at one of their excellent hotels.  (www.motorcylescotland.com).

At the Buccleuch Arms Hotel (Pictured) you get to wrap up your pride and joy in comfort in one of Asgards individual lockable garages (Locksmiths Approved). Each garage has a heavy duty shelf for helmets, boots and gear as well as heavy duty hangers and hooks for jackets and trousers.  A pressure washer and a few cleaning bits and bobs are available. What more could you want … oh and did we mentioned they were Voted and judged “Best Place to Eat” in Dumfries and Galloway by Savour the Flavours and winning the highly coveted and prestigious “Wine Award” at the SLTN Awards.

Whats more with a 15% discount off the B&B rate to all bikers why would you stay anywhere else as part of your bike tour?

Asgard Motorcycle garages are the only Motorcycle garages accredited by the UK Locksmiths Association. So there is nothing safer for your pride and joy.

Visit Buccleuch Arms Hotel here and save %15 on Bikers B+B

Take a look at where your bike will be staying here.

The Number of new scooters registered with the DVLA rose by 12% in 2011 as rising petrol prices, rail fares and car park charges turn commuters on to two wheels.

The number of scooters registered with the DVLA rose by 12% in 2011. Motorists sick of rising transport costs have been trading in their cars for a two-wheeled alternative, with industry figures showing an unprecedented rise in the number of scooters sold in 2011.

Figures from the Motorcyle Industry Association (MCIA) show the number of new scooters registered with the DVLA rose by approximately 12% in 2011, with a 20% rise in the number of larger 125cc motorcyle scooters registered.

Peugeot said it had seen scooter sales rise by 46% in 2011, with a 62% increase in Greater London, while Honda – which manufactures the most popular 125cc model on the market, the PCX 125 – has seen sales increase by 39%. In 2010 it sold 765; in 2011 it sold more than 2,000. By contrast, almost all other categories of two-wheeled motorised vehicles showed a drop in registrations, by as much as 32% in the case of sport motorbikes, according to the MCIA figures. In the previous year, to December 2010, sales of all types of motorcycles fell. In that period the number of scooters sold also fell, by 9%. Gary Thomas, editorial assistant at Scootering magazine, said: “The last time I remember such huge scooter sales figures was about 10-12 years ago when new automatic technology meant that all manufacturers came out with a wealth of new models.

“I suspect this time it is about cost. It is often two-car households who have decided that one of them will trade their car in for a scooter. The congestion charge also has an impact on people’s decision, as does the price of petrol.” A spokesman for Peugeot said the overriding factor driving customers into its showrooms was the price of petrol and diesel. “An average small capacity scooter is twice as economical as a car for fuel, so you can instantly halve your motoring costs,” he said. A rise in the cost of car parking at train stations has also contributed to people’s decision to switch to two wheels, he said. Southeastern trains has put up prices at 28 of its station car parks by up to 30%, while East Midlands, Southwestern trains and First Capital Connect have also increased their prices. This follows a 5.9% rise in the cost of a train ticket, which came in for all rail passengers earlier this month. “Not only have prices gone up at stations, but there is also often insufficient parking,” the Peugeot spokesman said. “If people switch to two wheels they can often park for free, or find somewhere else nearby to park.” The number of manual gearbox “boy racer” style mopeds registered with the DVLA fell in 2011 by more than 20%, while the number of registered scooter style mopeds rose slightly. This is because smaller engine vehicles have traditionally been bought by teenagers and funded by their parents. “Parents are not willing to do that anymore,” the Peugeot spokesman said. Saving a fortune John Sjolund and his wife Susan Moolman invested in a Vespa scooter eight months ago. The couple bought it second hand and say it has saved them a fortune in commuting costs.

They claim they spend about £5 a month on petrol, but use it every day in London. “We live in Fulham [south-west London] and would sometimes spend an hour-and-a-half on the tube a day going to various meetings. It was depressing and expensive,” Moolman explains. “We thought about getting a car but that is such an expensive option.” Now the couple share the scooter, with Moolman sometimes taking the tube and Sjolund picking her up in the evening. “The night before the royal wedding we drove through Leicester Square and past Buckingham Palace to look at the wedding preparations,” Moolman says. “It feels like such a great way to see the city.”

For details of how to protect your scooter with an Asgard Scooter Store visit the main Asgard Storage website

Full article here at the Guardian news paper

MCM Magazine were impressed with the adaptability of the unit, which comes in a range of sizes to suit the customer’s needs.

To see more Motorcycle Garages available from Asgard, see the Motorcycle Storage range here.

The Vertical Bike Locker

The Double Ended Bike Locker

Click here to visit the Asgard Download Brochure Page

In the UK, a bicycle is stolen on average every minute; with less than 5% of those returned as they’re difficult for the Police to identify the owner. Current research suggests that cyclists are more likely to have their bicycles stolen than motorcyclists their motorcycle or car owners their cars these days! – Bicycle theft has doubled in the UK since the mid 1990s, probably due to the increasing popularity of expensive models and innovative ways of selling stolen goods online.

Take action against these unscrupulous thieves and protect your belongings, including your bicycle!

REDUCE THE CHANCES OF YOUR BICYCLE BEING STOLEN USING A BICYCLE LOCK.

Only use a good quality lock.  A poor quality lock at the lower end of the market can be easily sawn through or bolt cropped in seconds. It certainly pays to invest in the best quality lock you can afford (At least £30 -£40). Always lock your bicycle to something immovable, an object a bicycle cannot be lifted over and cannot be broke, cut or removed i.e. chain link fencing, grilles, gates or trees – check the object is fastened to the ground. For maximum protection use two locks of different types (a D-lock and robust chain and padlock is ideal) Use each lock to catch the wheels, frame and stand – Fill up as much of the space within the D-lock as possible with the bicycle. (See the diagram left).  The Asgard screamer lock is brilliant security for cycles with disk brakes!

AT HOME 

As many as half of all bicycles are stolen from the owner’s home – Always lock your bike at home even when it is in your garage, flat or halls of residence. Please be vigilant when returning from a ride!! Consider investing in a ground anchor and attach it securely to a wall or concrete floor. For ultimate security, why not invest in a secure steel shed with a decent locking system. Make sure you keep your bicycle out of view of prying eyes as this alone will provide an irresistible incentive to break in to your property.

BICYCLE INSURANCE

If you own a decent bicycle then it is probably a good idea to insure it. There are several ways you can do this; Insure your bicycle on your home contents insurance – don’t forget to cover it for thefts away from home. More expensive bicycles may require specific insurance cover against theft and accidental damage.  Consider an insurance approved cycle shed these will not only secure your bike but will often get get a discount off your insurance premiums.

For more help and advice on cycle security.

“I have been very impressed with my Asgard Bike Storage Unit. It was easy to order and it was delivered to my house before the stated delivery time (by at least a week!) which was good. When it came to the assembly it needed 2 people but this was no surprise as we knew this from the website when we ordered. The assembly was very easy with good instructions. I was very impressed with the standard of manufacture as every hole for every screw lined up perfectly! Not once did we have to put a screw in slightly squint to make it match the corresponding hole. It has since kept our 2 adult bikes, 2 kids bikes, 2 scooters and a pressure washer secure and dry even in the recent awful weather. Using it is very quick, easy and convenient. It wasn’t cheap but I think it is well worth the money and I have recommended to several of my friends and got quite a lot of interest when I proudly posted a picture of it on Facebook! I have attached a picture of it completed and in place. I hope you find this feedback helpful and feel free to use it on your website (let me know if you are so I can have a look!)”

DM

“The unit is fantastic, I’m very happy with my purchase. Assembly was a doddle! Took less than an hour to assemble even with a couple of tea breaks thrown in. The delivery was perfect. Your guy turned up exactly when he said he would. Was very polite and help in getting the unit parts round the back of my mid-terraced house.

Thank you very much! I would highly recommend any Asgard unit to a friend or family”!