Urban mobility, two wheels and under 40s: Kantar research commissioned by ANCMA investigates the relationship

In the post-Covid era the mobility in the city is increasingly focused on two wheels, as emerges from a recent one research by Kantar Italia, commissioned by Confindustria ANCMA (Associazione Ciclo Motociclo Accessori), which investigates among the during 40 the motivations, needs and drivers linked to the purchase and use in urban areas, the relationship with other means of transport, but also the critical issues, concerns and barriers that still hinder its diffusion.

An investigation conducted on a sample of over 1.500 interviews, including 1.000 users of bicycles and scooters (both electric and traditional), and more than 530 users of cars and public transport, in centers with more than 80.000 inhabitants, who declared themselves concretely interested in purchasing a vehicle on two wheels.

Scooter perceived as more effective alternative to car

With regard to the bicycle, research shows that it is increasingly associated with the values ​​of well-being and fitness, therefore capable of satisfying a variety of very different needs. The scooter it has somewhat lost its original image of lightness and carefreeness, being perceived today as the main and most effective alternative to the car for getting around the city. As for the electric scooter, a rational and thoughtful image prevails, but still very limited to a few users. 

2020 is a turning point for the purchase of electric vehicles

Moving on to the numbers, 2020 was a turning point, especially for the purchase of electric vehicles: 74% of those who use an e-bike and 65% of those who use an electric scooter, in fact, have purchased them in the last 4 years. The most used bicycles are city trekking (45%) followed by mountain bikes (39%), while the most popular scooter from 50 to 200 cc remains 125 (48%); users of electric motor vehicles are divided between mopeds (32%) and scooters (62%).

Electric bicycles and scooters turn out to be more popular means of transport integrated with local public transport: in particular, 77% of owners of an e-bike or a battery-powered scooter declare that they also use public transport, demonstrating the usefulness of promoting tariff policies that favor users of electric two-wheelers. The scooter is generally confirmed as the most "autonomous" means of transport: only 61% of scooter riders declare that they use trams and buses.

The reasons that drive the use of two wheels

Among the practical reasons that push the use of two wheels, effectiveness and ease of movement remains the main driver: values ​​above 80% among bicycle users and up to 90% among scooter riders. The cost containment it is the second declared reason for use: 79% among e-bike owners and 83% among electric scooter users.

However, as regards emotional motivations, environmental impact it is the main driver for 89% of traditional bike users and for 83% of electric scooter owners, while it stops at 61% for thermal scooter users.

The level of satisfaction

Particularly significant is the level of satisfaction of users of all types of two-wheelers: around 90% of owners declare themselves very or fairly satisfied. The data must be read against the light of the evaluation of the car, perceived by users as the most comfortable and easy to use vehicle, but at the same time a source of stress in traffic and far from the emotional sphere of the owner.

The level of satisfaction drops significantly when considering the safety perceived by users, especially in the case of traditional bicycles: only 60% of traditional cyclists feel safe. The electric scooter is an exception, which, perhaps due to the image of calmness that accompanies zero-emission mobility, reaches values ​​of 80%.

Worries

Finally, among the particular reasons concern for two-wheel users, bad roads, the presence of potholes, the fear of being hit. For owners of electrified vehicles, the fear of theft emerges, probably due to the greater value of a battery-powered vehicle.