How Increased Motorcycles in Your Area can Affect Insurance Costs
If you’re part of a city or town where motorcycle numbers are increasing, insurance could go up due to several factors
Recent research shows where motorcycle numbers are increasing the most, with several towns in Wales booming, however, increased insurance costs could be affected.
Data pulled by GoCompare has provided insights as to which towns have benefited the most from 2015 to 2024 in terms of licensed motorcycle riders, as well as which areas of the UK have suffered the steepest drops.
Wales has seen the largest increase in new motorcycle riders anywhere in the UK since 2015, with some areas experiencing increases of more than 40 per cent.
Research from the Department for Transport and Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency reviewed data for each local authority in order to assess which places have seen the biggest rise over the last 10 years, with areas in Northern Ireland also benefiting.
The top location is Merthyr Tydfil which has seen an increase of 47.3 per cent. The number of motorcycles in the Welsh town has increased from 653 from the second quarter of 2015 to 962 in the same period last year.
The increase, while impressive, can lead to high insurance costs as accidents, theft or claims are typically reasons why premiums can be more expensive, despite the success.
Four of the top five highest jumps since 2015 were recorded in Wales, however, some bigger cities and towns have not enjoyed the same success.
19 local areas saw a decline over the same 10-year span with Inner London suffering the steepest drop as numbers fell by 14.9 per cent from 44,897 to 38,182. Other substantial declines were found in Aberdeen (-11.9 per cent), Slough (-9.9 per cent), Leicester (-7.4 per cent) and Thurrock (-7.4 per cent).
Tom Banks, motoring expert at Go.Compare, said: “Location is one of several factors that can influence your motorbike insurance premiums. If there’s a rise in the number of riders in your local area, or across the country, that could lead to more accidents, thefts or claims, which might impact what you pay for cover.
“Understanding the wider landscape in your region can give you a clearer picture of your policy price. If you’re worried about rising insurance costs, there are steps you can take to try and reduce them. Consider paying annually to save on interest charges, reducing your annual mileage, avoiding modified styles when choosing a bike or opting for a smaller model - these can all affect premiums.”
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After graduating with a sports journalism degree, Robert joined Crash.net to lead the WorldSBK coverage in 2021, while also providing MotoGP coverage. Fulfilling that role for over three years, Robert was able to put his knowledge about all things racing to the test.
