Southern Germany Leads in Motorcycle Ownership

In Germany, the distribution of motorcycles per capita varies significantly, with southern regions, particularly Bavaria, leading the way. A recent analysis of data from the Federal Motor Transport Authority reveals that the district of Freyung-Grafenau in Lower Bavaria has the highest density of motorcycles, boasting 121 two-wheeled vehicles for every 1,000 residents as of the beginning of this year.

The national average stands at 58 motorcycles per 1,000 inhabitants, both figures reflecting a slight increase from the previous year. In early 2024, the statistics were recorded at 119 and 57, respectively. In stark contrast, the cities of Schwerin and Rostock report the lowest ratios, each with only 25 motorcycles per 1,000 residents.

The data illustrates a pronounced urban-rural divide in motorcycle ownership. The bottom 63 rankings are dominated by urban districts and city-states, whereas the top positions are held exclusively by rural districts, with a notable Bavarian dominance. Following Freyung-Grafenau, eleven other districts in Bavaria also rank highly, with Cham at 109 motorcycles per 1,000 residents, placing second, and Pfaffenhofen with 98, at twelfth place. The highest non-Bavarian district is the Bodensee district in Baden-Württemberg, which has 97 motorcycles per 1,000 residents.

The analysis of federal states shows a similar trend, with Bavaria leading at an average of 77 motorcycles per 1,000 residents. Baden-Württemberg follows with 67, while Rheinland-Pfalz and Saarland each report 65. The lowest figures are found in city-states Bremen, Hamburg, and Berlin, with 30, 31, and 32 motorcycles per 1,000 residents, respectively. This low ownership rate is attributed to the availability of alternative transportation options in urban areas.

Among the federal states that are not city-states, there is a remarkable variation. Within motorcycle-rich Bavaria, the city of Schweinfurt has a notably lower density of 41 motorcycles per 1,000 residents, while in Sachsen-Anhalt, the Saalekreis reports a higher density of 63. In Sachsen, the Erzgebirgskreis stands out with 72 motorcycles per 1,000 residents.

Another significant observation is the gender disparity in motorcycle ownership. Out of nearly 5.1 million registered motorcycles in Germany--including approximately 150,000 trikes and quads--only 688,000 are registered to women. This indicates a considerable gender imbalance, which is changing only slowly over time. The percentage of female motorcycle owners has risen marginally from 13.5% at the beginning of 2024 to 13.6% in early 2025.

As the trend in motorcycle ownership continues to evolve, it remains evident that southern Germany, particularly Bavaria, holds a prominent position in motorcycle culture and ownership rates.