Research shows one in five UK bikers will have their motorcycle stolen

Carole Nash, one of the leading motorcycle insurance brokers in the UK, has revealed worrying data about bike theft in the UK.

It continues to be an issue that causes havoc for bike owners and has been devastating to many people, including myself, as I once lost a Ducati Monster 937 to this type of crime. 

You may have seen some of our recent reports about theft, including the story we did about the UK seemingly being at the heart of a global enterprise that sees stolen goods shipped to numerous countries. Or, you may have heard about Yogesh Alekari, an Indian world traveller who had his KTM stolen in Nottingham.

Either way, whether it’s the stories you’ve heard or had a bike stolen yourself, you will likely know about the ongoing theft crimes that take place in the UK. 

The research from Carole Nash was conducted from an internal survey of 1,000 British riders in April 2024, and the result is that one in five motorcyclists (20 per cent) have had their bike stolen. 

The insurance broker is encouraging motorcycle owners to take all the preventative measures they can to protect their bikes, while also providing insight on the most common locations from which bikes are stolen.

23 per cent of bikes are stolen from on the street, while 21 per cent of bike theft takes place on personal property such as driveways or gardens. Garages or sheds, which you would think offer much more security, still produced a number of 18 per cent. 

According to the research, one biker from the survey said: “Motorcycle theft is a big problem and a concern for many. Huge precautions are required as thieves can track bikes back to your home now. A locked shed or garage is not enough.”

“Although we’re approaching autumn, this time of year still poses a risk for many vehicle owners, including bikers,” explained Daniel Nield from Carole Nash.

Soon, many riders will be storing their bikes away for the winter, and this means keeping thieves away as much as possible. One way to do this, according to Nield, is to add multiple layers of security, especially since some motorcycles don’t have advanced anti-theft features. 

Nield says riders should take every measure they can to keep their bike safe, from heavy duty locks to simple things like a bike cover, adding:

“Use multiple layers of security, such as a disc lock, heavy-duty chain, and a grip lock for the brake. Even a simple motorcycle cover can act as a deterrent. Our research shows that too many bikes are left vulnerable, and even experienced riders can fall victim. We want to raise awareness and help riders better protect their pride and joy.”

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