November 17, 2009
Embargo: 11.30am (AEDT)
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Australia's love of motorcycles continues to grow: ABS
Motorcycle popularity in Australia continued to grow at a faster rate than any other vehicle
type in the twelve months to March 2009, with registrations up by 10.0%. Motorcycle
(including scooter) registrations have increased by 57.5% over the five years to 2009,
according to figures released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).
This popularity saw motorcycles earn a 4.0% fleet share of all vehicles registered in
Australia, rising from 2.9% in 2004. This compares with passenger vehicles, which have
dropped from a 78.5% fleet share in 2004 to 76.7% in 2009.
Increases in motorcycle registrations over this five year period have been observed in all
states and territories, with Western Australia recording the largest percentage increase
(75.9%), followed by the Northern Territory (70.2%).
The smallest percentage increase was in Victoria where registrations of motorcycles at 31
March 2009 were 44.1% above those recorded 5 years earlier.
Data from the annual Motor Vehicle Census shows that 15.7 million vehicles were
registered in Australia in 2009. This equated to 72 vehicles for every 100 Australian
residents. In the 12 months to March 2009 the total number of vehicle registrations grew
by 2.5%.
Over the past 12 months, total diesel registered vehicles in Australia rose by 9.8%. This
continues a five year trend, with the total number of vehicles registered with diesel fuel
increasing by 53.1% since 2004. Over the same period, diesel registered passenger
vehicles increased by 80.0%, and light commercial vehicles registered with diesel fuel
have increased 60.3%.
The average age of vehicles remained at 9.9 years in 2009, after falling from a high of 10.7
years in 1998. Tasmania had the oldest vehicles, at 11.9 years on average, while the
Northern Territory had the youngest at 8.8 years.
Further details are in Motor Vehicle Census (cat. no. 9309.0), available free from the ABS
FURTHER INFORMATION
Media requests and interviews
Corporate Communications 1300 175 070
When reporting ABS data, the Australian Bureau of Statistics (or ABS) must
be attributed as the source
NEWS 
