A strong, internationally recognised automotive sector has prepared Germany to find its place within the motorcycles industry. Motorcycles remain a relatively small segment when you view the transport manufacturing as a whole. Even so, turnover continuously rises and most recently reached €3.3 billion in 2022. It’s become a hallmark of the new century that prominent automotive manufacturers like BMW are taking the initiative to expand their two-wheeler lines. So let’s look at BMW, which at the moment is the biggest contributor to Germany’s motorcycles industry. Its Berlin-Spandau plant produces up to 900 motorcycles daily. BMW is not only a key player in production but also dominates the German motorcycle market in terms of sales. In recent years, BMW has consistently outperformed its competitors, including Honda, with sales figures approximately 8% higher than those of its closest rival. The COVID-19 pandemic marked a turning point for motorcycle sales in Germany as they provided a safe alternative to public transportation, and 2020 saw a dramatic spike in motorcycle sales. Naturally, the explosion was brief and demand fell in the following years only for sales to catch up to 2020 levels by 2023, which has more to do with interest in alternative mobility after the introduction of the B196 license. This new license offers German drivers holding a class B passenger car license a simplified path to operating motorcycles and scooters with engines up to 125cc, which up until that point involved a lot more steps and discouraged drivers. Unlike traditional motorcycle licenses, the B196 category requires training but does not mandate practical or theoretical exams. This regulatory change is exclusive to Germany and has not been adopted by other EU member states. The impact of the B196 license has been directly responsible for the increase of light motorcycle sales by over 80% between 2019 and 2020.