Why sales of motorbikes and scooters are falling fast in France

Sales of scooters and motorbikes - especially second-hand models - are down in France, with the two-wheel market having contracted in each of the last three years.

Figures from a survey by data firm AAA Data for insurer Solly Azar found that the French two-wheel new sales vehicle market fell by some 9% in 2024, reports Capital. Only 1,068,449 new units

were registered, compared to 1,170,377 the previous year. This comes after a 2% fall in sales in 2023, and a 6% fall in 2022. 

The second-hand market declined more in 2024, however, with sales down by 11%. There were 886,041 transactions in 2023, compared to 788,085 in 2024.

Electric cycles and motorbikes are also experiencing a similar trend, with overall sales falling by 8% in 2024, to just 39,038 registrations.

The authors of the study have suggested that multiple factors could be behind the fall. 

Motorbike riders have had to adapt to increasing regulations. 

These include traffic regulations, the tightening of zones à faibles émissions (low emission zones, ZFEs) which ban access to the most polluting vehicles. Many cities have also increased

parking charges for motorbikes, including Paris in 2023.

Similarly, the introduction of a mandatory contrôle technique (CT, roadworthiness test) for motorbikes since April 2024 has also been the subject of considerable controversy. All vehicles

over five years old must have an up-to-date CT.

Read also: What are France's contrôle technique rules for motorbikes?Read more: Motorbike contrôle technique tests in France boycotted by most riders 

Anti-CT campaign group Fédération Française des Motards en Colère (FFMC) claimed in December last year that as many as 80% of motorbike riders in France have boycotted the test.

The association has long argued that the CT is not helpful when it comes to the maintenance of motorbikes, will not improve their safety, and is too restrictive. It has also said it hopes

that the widespread boycott sends a strong message to authorities, in a bid to encourage them to change the CT requirement.

The fall in sales has also been attributed to the growing range of alternative transport options, including public transport, car-sharing apps, for-hire scooters, for-hire electric bikes,

and electric cars that can be driven without a licence. 

These are not subject to parking restrictions so are easier when it comes to parking.

Some two-wheelers are bucking the trend. Sales of roadster bikes, sports bikes and trail bikes rose by 39%, 36%, and 13% respectively in 2024. 

This highlights the growing interest in biking for pleasure - at weekends or in rural areas, and the move away from the everyday side of motorcycling - said Solly Azar and AAA Data.

The two-wheeler market has been slow to move towards electric vehicles, even as cars move more towards electric-only models (sales of combustion-powered cars will be banned from 2035). 

However there are not any such restrictions on electric motorbikes so far, meaning that manufacturers have had less incentive to offer electric models. Similarly, electric models - so far -

perform less well in terms of range.