Motorcycle Industry Steps Up To Current
and Future Opportunities
27th November 2009
The UK motorcycle industry is “a
credible, worthwhile, responsible industry, contributing
to the economy and taking care of its customers.”
according to MCI CEO Steve Kenward, speaking at the
show’s official opening.
Congratulating the show team for their achievement
in delivering one of just two motorcycle shows being
held in Europe this year, and in the challenging economic
context which saw the Car Show cancelled, Kenward
said that this was a time of great opportunity for
the motorcycle industry.
The MCI is working on behalf of industry to ensure
that motorcycles and scooters take their rightful
place in the UK’s transport mix, to create growth
by attracting new customers, to raise awareness of
the important contribution made by the motorcycle
industry to UK PLC, and to improve rider safety. Kenward
explained that these actions include:-
- The Carole Nash International Motorcycle Show 09:
As one of only two European bike shows this year,
the NEC show is a significant achievement in itself
and shows that the industry is capable of determination
and perseverance in this economically challenging
period.
- Understanding the Economic Contribution of Motorcycling
to UK PLC: The MCI has commissioned an independent
study of the industry’s contribution to to the
UK economy. Results will be available in the New Year
and will form a strong foundation for the MCI’s
arguments that motorcycles, scooters and mopeds must
be taken seriously as part of the transport mix.
- Growing the number of motorcyclists through the
Get On Campaign: The industry-funded campaign is bringing
motorcycling to new publics by giving potential riders
the opportunity to have a free ride, without any need
to buy kit or travel out of their local area. The
industry-funded campaign allows people previously
unaware of the benefits of biking to have a go. So
far 80% of those riders who’ve taken the Get
On experience have gone on to take their CBT.
- Working for safer riders: This is always of paramount
importance for the industry, who want all riders to
be safe riders. Future legislation offers an opportunity
to further develop rider skills that are recognised
to a National Rider Standard. The MCI will work in
partnership with the relevant bodies to capitalise
on this opportunity to have better trained riders,
but it will not be responsible for ill-informed implementation
of such legislation
- Serving our customers better: The launch of an
NVQ in Sales and Customer service by Kawasaki will
ensure that new recruits to motorcycling receive consistently
excellent levels of service. This initiative is just
one more example of the industry taking care of customers.
Steve Kenward, CEO of the Motor Cycle Industry Association
concluded: “The motorcycle industry is going
forward. Our house is in order. We are encouraging
new people to recognise the benefits of individual
mobility that a powered two-wheeler affords. We are
also working to persuade the Government that motorcycles
and scooters are part of the solution to the transportation,
congestion and environmental issues that face the
country.
“The motorcycle industry can help. Please embrace
us.”
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