Fewer motorcycles in three eastern states than the national average

In Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt and Thuringia, motorcycling is less widespread than in many other regions of Germany - albeit with significant regional differences in some cases. Although all three states are below the national average in terms of motorcycle density, individual districts stand out with significantly higher figures.

An analysis of data from the Federal Motor Transport Authority by Deutsche Presse-Agentur shows that there were fewer than 60 motorcycles per 1,000 inhabitants registered in all three states at the beginning of the year. The national average is 58 - with a slight upward trend.

Strong differences within the states

In Saxony, the average is 51 motorcycles per 1,000 inhabitants. The rate is particularly high in the Erzgebirgskreis district with 72 - there, motorcycles are obviously an integral part of the street scene. The situation is different in the cities: Leipzig has 26, Dresden 32 and Chemnitz 38 motorcycles per 1,000 inhabitants.

Saxony-Anhalt has the lowest motorcycle density among the federal states with 49. In the Saale district, however, the figure is significantly higher at 63. The district of Wittenberg is also above average with 62 motorcycles per 1,000 inhabitants. Halle (26) and Magdeburg (28), on the other hand, are at the bottom of the league.

Thuringia also remains below the national average with an average of 54 bikes per 1,000 inhabitants. In the Saale-Orla district and the Hildburghausen district, the figures are 68 and 67 respectively, while Jena is well behind with 30, Gera with 32 and Weimar with 35.

As in the rest of Germany, there is a clear urban-rural divide in the three states: In rural regions, the number of motorcycles per capita is significantly higher than in urban areas.

Bavaria in front, city states behind

The leader among the federal states is Bavaria with 77 motorcycles per 1,000 inhabitants, followed by Baden-Württemberg (67). Bringing up the rear are the city states of Bremen (30), Hamburg (31) and Berlin (32), where there are more alternatives to owning a vehicle.

In total, almost 5.1 million motorcycles are registered in Germany - including around 150,000 trikes and quads. Only around 688,000 of these are registered to women. This corresponds to a share of 13.6 percent - a minimal increase compared to the previous year (13.5).