Revealed – UK’s top motorbike hotspots

The UK is home to more than 3.6 million licensed motorcycle riders travelling a combined 4.4 billion miles across the country each year, recent government data obtained by specialist motorbike insurance brokerage Bikesure reveals.

The figures indicate an “unwavering enthusiasm for biking” among Brits, according to the insurer, so the firm felt it was best to crunch the latest numbers from the Department for Transport (DfT) to identify the top locations in the nation for riding on two wheels.

What are the top motorcycle hotspots in the UK?

The South East hosts the largest number of motorcyclists in the country at 689,494, taking up 19% of the overall demographic. This was followed by Scotland’s 560,216 (16%) and the South West’s 537,938 (15%). However, to come up with a more accurate ranking of the UK’s top motorbike hotspots, Bikesure also factored in the general population in each area.

“While the South East has the largest population of motorcyclists, it is also the most populous region of Britain – it’s hardly surprising to find that more riders live there than anywhere else,” the firm wrote in its analysis. “When looking in relation to the population, we see the area drop down to fifth.”

Using the metric, the North East topped the list, being home to 11,616 motorbike riders per 100,000 people. Scotland ranked second with 10,249, while Wales rounded up the top three with 9,514 licensed bikers for every 100,000 of its overall population.

Here is the complete list of the country’s top hotspots for motorcycle riders:

Source: Bikesure

Read more: Broker's petition calls for Google Maps to include motorcycle routes

When it comes to towns and cities, Swansea is the country’s top biker hotspot, with almost 4% of motorcyclists settling in the coastal Welsh city.

“Swansea offers both shoreline and lush, green scenic routes – it’s hardly surprising the city hosts 141,781 riders,” Bikesure wrote.

Oxford ranks second, hosting 127,773 riders or 2.5% of the UK’s overall biker population. The South West city is trailed by Motherwell, which is home to 119,780 motorcyclists.

“With easy entry to the Cotswolds, the historic city [of Oxford] offers easy access to beautiful countryside,” the insurer noted. “Situated on the outskirts of Glasgow, Scotland’s biggest city, rides from Motherwell can easily take you into the metropolis or tour further afield.”

Here is the full list of towns and cities across the UK with the largest population of licensed motorcyclists:

Source: Bikesure

What are the top hotspots for newly registered motorcycle riders?

Bikesure also used the data it gathered to find out which places in the country boast the largest growing rider demographic. According to the DfT’s figures, there were 38,593 newly registered motorcyclists in the UK in 2021, representing 1.06% of the entire biker population that year.

“If you’re a new biker yourself, it can be reassuring to find areas with others just finding their passion for two-wheels,” the company noted.

Read more: The rise of the E-scooter and its insurance challenges

Unsurprisingly, South East, the region with the biggest number of motorcyclists, also hosts the largest portion of novice riders at 18%, which is equivalent to 7,103 bikers. It was followed by South West and East of England with 5,023 and 3,579 newbies, respectively. Details of the top regional hotspots for newly registered motorcyclists are shown in the table below.

Source: Bikesure

Should UK riders take out motorbike insurance?

Motorbike insurance is a legal requirement in the UK for anyone riding their two-wheelers on the road – and for good reason. This type of coverage helps protect riders against liability if their vehicles are involved in an accident and provides financial compensation if their bikes are stolen or damaged.

There are three levels of cover that motorbike insurance policies provide. These are:

• Third party: The most basic form of cover, this pays out for injuries or damage the policyholder has caused other people, properties, and vehicles. This is also the minimum level of cover required for motorcycle riders to be allowed on the road.
• Third party, fire, and theft (TPFT): This provides the same protection as third-party policies but also covers the motorbike if it is stolen or catches fire. Some insurance providers also require that the vehicles have a security device installed for theft coverage to kick in.
• Comprehensive: This offers the most extensive coverage available. Apart from third party, fire, and theft, comprehensive policies cover the cost of repairing the motorcycle after an accident even if the policyholder is at fault.

Read more: Wonder where the most expensive place to insure a motorbike is?

How much does motorbike insurance cost?

Just like other forms of insurance, premium prices of motorbike policies depend on several factors, including the level of cover, the type of engine the vehicle has, and the rider’s age, residence, and claims history.

According to London-based personal finance site NimbleFins, the average annual cost of a comprehensive motorbike insurance is £340, while TPFT and third-party policies go for £264 and £171, respectively. The figures were based on a policy for a 30-year-old rider of a 2019 125cc Honda PCX parked in a garage. The plan has an average comprehensive and TPFT excess of £355 while TPO excess is £0.

Read more: Ten ways to save on motorbike insurance

How can riders save on motorbike insurance?

For riders searching for the cheapest motorbike insurance, personal finance website Money Saving Expert admits there is no “straightforward” way as premium prices are based on “how much risk insurers perceive you to be.” Here are some practical ways on how bikers can save on premiums, according to experts.

• Choose a less powerful and less expensive motorcycle.
• Be aware of your mileage.
• Boost the motorbike’s security.
• Compare policies and prices from multiple comparison sites.
• Read the policy carefully before buying.
• Avoid auto-renewing.