Easy riding

Motorbike and scooter sales have been on a gradual upward trend for the past five years. In 2015 these sales were set to increase marginally, reaching 1,500 to 1,600 units, according to estimates by the Lebanese Association of Motorcycle Agents (LAMA). However, this data is not conclusive, as the dealers still do not disclose their statistics on the total figures or breakdown of model sales. Dealers had hoped to be able to push sales up a gear in 2015, expecting that improved traffic safety regulations under the new Lebanese traffic law would attract more buyers. In the past, the greater practicality of two-wheelers to circumvent traffic congestion had often proven insufficient for luring drivers from car seats to saddles, because the roads needed to become much safer to attract more riders. Another reason for dealer optimism was the new law’s stricter regulations on imports, and prohibitions against bringing used motorbikes