France: Motorcycle Study - Then and Now 30 September 2009   Author: Mike Werner   Location: Normandy, France Via: Moto-Net One of the main market research companies in France, TNS Sofres , have concluded a market research on motorcycle riders in France. Comparing the results with a similar study (by another company) 5 years ago, we can see a difference creeping in. In 2004, a study showed that only 15% of all motorcycle riders were female. 31.3% of bikers were passive, meaning they used motorcycles mostly daily but weren't interested in them (just a form of transportation), 24.4% used motorcycles as a form of recreation, but not really that interested in the motorcycle world, 20.9% were motorcycle lovers, passionate, reading about it in the news and even participating at race events, and 11% were just simple and occasional users. A French biker spent on average €1887 per year on their motorcycle; 28% petrol, 26% insurance, 20% maintenance, 11% loan repayment, 8% accessories and 7% for repairs. Things have evolved. Here are some of the more interesting statistics of the report: Today, 19% of motorcycle riders are female (the figure jumps to 39% for scooter riders). The average age of a biker is 39.3 years (scooter riders are slightly younger with an average of 35.3 years) A French biker will have had 1.1 accident during their riding lifetime On average, a motorcycle rider in France has 11 years of riding experience Children: 49% of bikers do not have children younger than 18 years at home. 34% of these do not have any children (23% have 1 kid, 28% have 2 and 14% have more than 2) Equipment 90% of bikers wear gloves (obviously everyone wears a helmet) 69% wear a motorcycle jacket 36% have a back protector or biker boots 34% use special motorcycle trousers 20% use a neck protector 17% use a reflective jacket Interesting reading. To read more about the report click on the Via: above in the header (but it's in French). It has some interesting categorization of the different style motorcycle riders. blog comments powered by Disqus