REGISTRATIONS of motorcycles, scooters and mopedshave risen 10.2 per cent, according to figures issued by the Motor Cycle Industry Association (MCIA).

Powered two wheeler (PTW) registrations of 13,747 were 1,269 up on April, 2007. This takes the total market this year to 44,441 - up 1.3 per cent on the same period last year. Increases were seen across almost all engine sizes and motorcycle categories with mopeds up 49.7 per cent and scooters up 42.3 per cent.

Motorcycle registrations gained 4.8 per cent with most styles showing increases. Adventure sport bikes continued their upward trend with a 27.8 per cent increase, with the BMW R1200 GS the top seller. Supersport bike sales dipped 10.8 per cent. The biggest-selling make in April was Honda with 1,990 registrations.

Craig Carey-Clinch, of the MCIA, said: "This shows a very healthy market despite economic gloom and poor riding weather. PTW use is now much more diverse, with the biggest gains in commuter and practical, everyday bikes, suggesting more new and younger riders. There are also strong signs that people are looking for viable alternatives to putting up with traffic jams or crowded public transport, recognising the use and cost advantages of two wheels."

News of the jump in two-wheeled registrations comes at the same time as the Department for Transport (DfT) has released new figures on road transport use in 2007.

The DfT says that at the end of last year, 1.133 million motorcycles were registered for road use, up 3.2 per cent on 2006 and the biggest total since 1985. An additional 392,000 were declared stored or off the road - a normal occurrence during December and winter months.

About one third of all bikes were of less than 125cc and legal for use by learners. The average motorcycle engine size was 510cc.

"In a year when PTW tests are going to become much more complex, the industry is expecting a surge in full licence bike tests, and this will help to drive the market," said Mr Carey-Clinch. "People are looking for cheaper and more efficient alternatives to the car and public transport."