I commute from end of Scarborough to Downtown core everyday for the last 8-9 years. I don't notice a fall in riders nor less bikes parked in our office area, probably more if not less. Yes the trend is less sales as the new generation is not as interested in bikes or cars as much as the previous 2 gens where.
I've heard some well laid out points some time back explaining the drop in car and motorbike sales. There are few solid points that contribute directly to the 30-20 yrs olds not really into vehicles as much as the previous generation -X and baby boomers where.
1. Insurance - Living in GTA insurance is a killer
2. There are more and more people living in Condos and closer to the downtown core who need no vehicle, and when buying/renting they try to make it that they can walk, bicycle or have a shortest public transit commute possible
3. Wheels were a necessity for the last few generations, especially to socialize and shop not anymore following are supporting points:
4. Shopping Online- Amazon is a beast and continuously amazes me with their speed of shipping, now even week-ends and holidays I get parcels, then you have Uber eats, Door Dash, and other hundred food delevery companies especially in the downtown core, Walmart grocery delivery etc
5. This generation even socialized online and frequent forums (just like us to communicate and stay sane)
6. You can live with-out wheels in the city but need a computer and cell phone which bites in the discretionary budgets, new demographics love their latest cell phones and laptops, it's the new personal thing replacing the supped up car and bikes from 70 to 90's.
7. The car companies are even hurting from low sales to the new generation so motorbikes are even lower in food chain
8. Not interested in the drive/ride. I know nephews and nieces that are in their mid twenties and professionals and they either, don't have a licence and don't care to get one, or live downtown and Uber it to the burbs on the week-ends to meet family or Zip Car it.
9. Green movement- many new gens have a genuine concern for the environment and hence walk, cycle and live closer to work, which is a good thing if you can.
I may even have missed a point or two but believe those are the top reasons there is downturn in the personal vehicle market in urban cities across Canada and USA.