A new report has revealed the economic significance of the motorcycle industry with £5.3 billion generated through net sales each year.
The industry directly employs 58,500 people in 5,700 businesses, plus an additional 16,400 jobs through motorcycle businesses purchasing goods and services from other UK sectors.
Commissioned by the Motorcycle Industry Association, the report shows that the industry pays more than £1 billion in tax with exports equal to around £450 million each year, up 12 per cent in real terms since 2008.
The number of jobs supported by the industry is more than taxi driving (36,000), manufactures of pharmaceuticals (50,000), agriculture, forestry and fishing activities (46.000) and manufacture of textiles (47,000).
Motorcycle Industry Association CEO Steve Kenward says the report should be read by all those making policy decisions about transport.
“There are now nearly twice as many motorcycles licensed (and license exempt) for the road than there were 20 years ago and the general trajectory for motorcycle use is upwards,” he said.
“Around a third of all new registrations are for smaller motorcycles, likely to be used for commuting, and we see this as an increasing trend with motorcycles helping to tackle congestion as part of a low carbon future.”
It is estimated that the industry saves the NHS several million pounds a year through voluntary ‘blood biker’ services, couriering life saving products.
Other social benefits include motorcycles being used by emergency services to cut through traffic and addressing transport poverty through Wheels to Work schemes.
The report shows around 3,000 people in the UK are employed in the manufacture of high quality motorcycles, components, clothing, accessories and fuel.
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