Colombia's vehicle fleet totals 20.9 million, with 63% being motorcycles, amounting to 13.2 million units. Motorcycle sales from January to September 2025 reached 817,958 units, a 37.1% increase from the previous year. This growth stems from their affordability and role in the gig economy.
Bogotá woke up on October 30, 2025, to blockades and mobilizations by motorcyclists protesting the mayor's office restrictions for Halloween days, underscoring this segment's influence on mobility. Colombia's vehicle fleet comprises 20.9 million vehicles, with motorcycles making up 63%, or 13.2 million units on the roads.
Motorcycle sales have hit record highs, with 817,958 units sold from January to September 2025, a 37.1% year-over-year increase. In September alone, 102,831 motorcycles were sold. Brands like Bajaj and AKT lead the market, followed by Yamaha and Suzuki. Top models include the NKD 125 and Boxer CT 100 ES Spoke, suited for utility workers.
This surge ties to Colombia's predominantly lower-middle class, where motorcycles are more affordable to buy and maintain than cars. They are also toll-exempt and unaffected by mass transit blockades. The gig economy has boosted their use in deliveries and passenger transport, serving as income sources for many households.
Luis Fernando Mejía, director of Fedesarrollo, noted that “motorcycles are cheaper, in part, due to public policy signals like toll exemptions and Soat subsidies. Moreover, they are not affected by blockades in mass transit. Thus, it is no surprise that, with cheaper credit, motorcycle demand is rising substantially”.
Juan Carlos González, president of Incolmotos Yamaha, added: "people see motorcycles as an increasingly obvious response to mobility challenges in cities (time and cost) and in rural areas where productivity and opportunities are growing. Additionally, in many cases, they represent alternative or primary income sources for households, mainly in strata 1, 2, and 3".
Nicolás Rendón, vice president of Honda, pointed out that in 2015, the average motorcycle cost nearly six minimum wages, but now new ones start at four. Furthermore, the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) favors motorcycles in taxes, insurance, fuel, and maintenance.
Growth extends beyond major cities; smaller municipalities like Sabaneta (Antioquia) recorded 63,345 new registrations, Funza (Cundinamarca) 45,275, and El Cerrito (Valle) 36,471, followed by Soacha, Madrid, and others.