This year's motorcycle sales figures are all set to smash last year's total. Latest Motor Cycle Industry Association figures show that motorcycling for both leisure and commuting is booming as two wheels are increasingly accepted as a viable transport alternative.

As October's new motorcycle registration figures were published, the Association welcomed a recent decision by London mayor Ken Livingstone to recognise the role that motorcycles can play in transport planning by exempting motorcycles from his proposed London vehicle congestion charges and calling for more parking in the capital.

The Association also welcomed Westminster City Council's announcement to install secure motorcycle parking but is disappointed by news that the new facilities will attract a 2 a day charge and will be introduced at the cost of reduced motorcycle parking provision overall.

The MCI advised that it should follow Islington Borough Council's example, which recently introduced secure parking facilities without levying a charge on users.

As last month's threat of further fuel protests and ongoing problems with the public transport network prompted more commuters to adopt two wheels, scooter sales continued to rise with a growth of 41 per cent in October compared to the same time last year, and by a 39 per cent increase overall this year compared to 1999.

Although the best-selling motorcycle during the International Motorcycle & Scooter Show is the Yamaha R6, beating off competition for the number one spot by more than 500 bikes, the Peugeot Speedfight 100 scooter jumped to second place ahead of the Yamaha YZF-R1, which had previously held second place for the last three months and is now the third best-selling bike.

Overall 152,338 motorcycles, scooters and mopeds had been sold at the end of October, a 10 per cent increase compared to the same time last year.

MCI president Steven Norris said: "At a time when motorcycle sales are booming Ken Livingstone's recognition of the role that motorcycles can play in London's transport policy and his proposal for exempting motorcycles from congestion charging are clearly welcomed.

"But Westminster City Council appear to want to offer secure motorcycle parking on one hand and take cash and general motorcycle parking provision away with the other.

"October's sale figures show that car users are using motorcycles to commute into London in increasingly large numbers.

"What is quite clear is that there is an urgent need for a London-wide strategy for motorcycles and the MCI will be working with the mayor and key organisations in the London transport debate during the coming months."