Light mopeds nearly overtaking heavier mopeds

Light mopeds have increased much faster in number than heavier mopeds in recent years. At the start of 2011 there were 475 thousand light and 527 thousand heavier mopeds in the Netherlands. The lights are about to overtake the heavies. Young people tend to own more heavy mopeds, women tend to own more light mopeds with the exception of young women.

Light mopeds gaining ground

The number of light mopeds has increased by about 16 percent a year since 2007 whereas the number of heavy mopeds increased by an average of 8 percent. In 2011 there were 475 thousand light and 527 thousand heavy mopeds. The period 2007-2011 saw a 170 percent increase in light moped ownership among 20-25 year-olds.

On 1 January 2011 heavy moped ownership among 16 and 17 year-olds was down by over 20 percent on the previous year. This is probably due to the introduction of a practical driving test for heavy mopeds in March 2010.

Mopeds on 1 January, 2007-2011

Twice as many men as women own mopeds

Nearly 6 percent of people over 16 own a moped. More than twice as many men own one. Men also tend to have the heavier rather than the lighter mopeds. The reverse is true for women. Moped ownership is highest among young people. If older people own a moped, it is usually a lighter one. Heavier mopeds are found most often in rural areas, whereas lighter ones are more popular in urban areas.

Moped ownership by age and sex, 2010

Fewer mopeds owned by young people from low income families

There is a difference in moped ownership between income groups. Young people under 25 from households in the lowest 20 percent income group less often own a moped than young people from households in the higher income brackets. About 6 percent of young people from the lowest income group owns a moped compared to 10 percent of the three highest income groups. Among the over-25s the reverse is true: in higher income groups they own fewer mopeds than in lower income groups.

Moped ownership by age and household income, 2010

Jannes de Vries and Michel Sijstermans