Italians buy more bikes than cars for the first time since WWII
10-04-12, 02:20 PM
#1
Italians buy more bikes than cars for the first time since WWII
Italians buy more bikes than cars for the first time since WWII
In the midst of economic turmoil in Europe, more Italians are turning to bikes as their preferred mode of transportation. Such is the bicycle's popularity in Italy that purchases of the pedal-powered two wheelers have eclipsed automobile sales for the first time since World War II.
According to The Christian Science Monitor, last year 1.75 million bikes were sold in Italy, compared to 1.748 million motor vehicles. Contributing to this trend are rising fuel prices and hefty costs associated with keeping a car on the road. Gas prices recently hit €2 a liter ($9.50 a gallon), and the average cost of ownership is estimated at around €7,0000 ($9,000) a year.
There is also the sheer congestion associated with driving in many parts of Italy. Narrow roads and a high level of automobile ownership (6 in 10 own cars, one of the highest rates in the world), have made for cramped streets in many Italian cities. The author of the report notes that a several-mile journey in the heart of Rome is quicker by bike than taxi.
Fiat boss Sergio Marchionne is among those feeling the heat from this trend, admitting "Anyone operating in the automotive sector in Europe today is experiencing varying degrees of unhappiness. The European car market is a disaster." Fiat released industry figures that showed September auto sales down 25 percent compared to the same period in 2011.
Antonio Della Venezia, president of the Italian Federation of Bike Lovers told Italian paper La Republica, "People who have only ever driven cars are changing their thinking. I don't think Italy will go back to the levels of car sales that we saw before 2008."
He may be right. Many families are downsizing to just one car, participating in carpool groups, and purchasing bicycles as alternatives to the rising costs of automobile ownership. It is estimated that around 200,000 old bikes have been restored for regular use. The inexpensive and convenient mode of transportation has once again caught on in Italy – just ask Monica Bellucci.
http://www.autoblog.com/2012/10/04/i...me-since-wwii/
10-04-12, 04:11 PM
#3
Obviously the economy in Europe is in the toilet, thus lowering car sales.
But I think there is going to be a future trend of Europeans ditching their existing cars, much less buying expensive new ones. The governments tax the ever living hell out of car owners, not just in gasoline taxes. I'm talking about sales tax when you buy the car, inspection taxes, some countries charge you a yearly tax based on the value of the car. Insurance rates are A LOT higher there than here. Not to mention the very rigorous yearly inspection standards for cars over there, I'd bet about 1/5 of the cars on the road in the US would fail an inspection in Europe.
Just saying it is HIDEOUSLY EXPENSIVE to own a car in Europe compared to anywhere else in the world.
But I think there is going to be a future trend of Europeans ditching their existing cars, much less buying expensive new ones. The governments tax the ever living hell out of car owners, not just in gasoline taxes. I'm talking about sales tax when you buy the car, inspection taxes, some countries charge you a yearly tax based on the value of the car. Insurance rates are A LOT higher there than here. Not to mention the very rigorous yearly inspection standards for cars over there, I'd bet about 1/5 of the cars on the road in the US would fail an inspection in Europe.
Just saying it is HIDEOUSLY EXPENSIVE to own a car in Europe compared to anywhere else in the world.
Last edited by Aron9000; 10-04-12 at 04:14 PM.
10-04-12, 04:28 PM
#4
Lexus Fanatic
Given Rome's notorious traffic-jams, difficult parking, aggressive drivers, the price of fuel in Italy, and the country's worsening economic situation (though still not as bad as nearby Greece or Portugal), I don't find it surprising at all that more Italians are buying bikes and/or motor-scooters, especially in the cities.
10-04-12, 04:47 PM
#5
Obviously the economy in Europe is in the toilet, thus lowering car sales.
But I think there is going to be a future trend of Europeans ditching their existing cars, much less buying expensive new ones. The governments tax the ever living hell out of car owners, not just in gasoline taxes. I'm talking about sales tax when you buy the car, inspection taxes, some countries charge you a yearly tax based on the value of the car. Insurance rates are A LOT higher there than here. Not to mention the very rigorous yearly inspection standards for cars over there, I'd bet about 1/5 of the cars on the road in the US would fail an inspection in Europe.
Just saying it is HIDEOUSLY EXPENSIVE to own a car in Europe compared to anywhere else in the world.
But I think there is going to be a future trend of Europeans ditching their existing cars, much less buying expensive new ones. The governments tax the ever living hell out of car owners, not just in gasoline taxes. I'm talking about sales tax when you buy the car, inspection taxes, some countries charge you a yearly tax based on the value of the car. Insurance rates are A LOT higher there than here. Not to mention the very rigorous yearly inspection standards for cars over there, I'd bet about 1/5 of the cars on the road in the US would fail an inspection in Europe.
Just saying it is HIDEOUSLY EXPENSIVE to own a car in Europe compared to anywhere else in the world.
10-04-12, 05:36 PM
#6
Lexus Fanatic
(In the state of Virginia, where I live, it is 3% on a new car and 4% on a used one. We do have a yearly property-tax on the car's assessed value, but it is rather low, and generally not a major issue)
Last edited by mmarshall; 10-04-12 at 05:39 PM.
10-04-12, 06:22 PM
#7
Lexus Fanatic
iTrader: (20)
Nice pic 
I'd sell my car to ride around with her.
I'd sell my car to ride around with her.
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10-05-12, 10:15 AM
#11
Out of Warranty
Vespas of the '50's and '60's, if the streets of Rome and Naples were any indication, came factory equipped with a pouty, leggy brunette model seated sidesaddle on the rear seat, adjusting her makeup. Pretty incredible balancing act as her "chauffeur" (boyfiend, stylist, whatever) wove in and out of traffic that she never seemed to acknowledge. Yeah, I would have accepted a Vespa as an acceptable trade for that.
10-05-12, 10:43 AM
#12
Once a car is 3 years old it requires an annual inspection that costs a maximum of £85 - though most garages offer this discounted or even free, hoping to get any rectification work needed. So, other than the cost of fuel, which you can't do anything about, it need not be horrendously expensive to run a car.
10-05-12, 11:36 AM
#15