What would our roads be like if 10% of us swapped our cars for motorcycles? How would congestion, parking and the overall pressures of road travel be impacted?

According to a new Belgian study, the benefits would be considerable. There would be 20% more parking spaces and a 40% fall in traffic congestion for all. The economic and financial impact of congestion would also, the report says, be reduced.

Our roads would require less maintenance and would be a safer place for motorcyclists to ride.

The study also modelled a scenario whereby 25% of drivers swapped their cars for scooters or mopeds. The result was a complete elimination of congestion.

Because you can fit three motorcycles into a regular car parking space, the effects on parking availability would be profound.                                                                                                          

And, according to a separate one-off report by the Office for National Statistics, motorcyclists experience a happier commute. That could mean motorists who find themselves getting frustrated behind the wheel could view getting to and from work as less of a chore.

Congestion also has a huge effect on the economy, with one report by The INRIX Global Traffic Scorecard suggesting it could cost the UK economy £30bn annually.

As of 2016 there were almost 1.3m motorcycles registered in the UK, compared to nearly 31 million cars. Between 2000 and 2014, the number of registered motorcycles in the country rose by 28 per cent.