Motorbike Insurance

The number of people taking out motorbike insurance on new vehicles has fallen during the last month, figures suggest.

According to data released by the Motor Cycle Industry Association (MCI), registrations of new vehicles fell to 7,517 in November compared to 8,497 in the same month last year.

This represents a 16 per cent drop, but the market still compares favourably to the current fortunes of the UK car industry, which posted a fall of 36.8 per cent in November.

Indeed, registrations are down by just 2.4 per cent over the first 11 months of the year, in comparison with a 10.7 per cent fall in new car registrations.

MCI chief executive Steve Kenward said the result was a "disappointing although not unexpected" outcome, expressing his belief that the motorcycle industry would endure the current downturn.

He suggested that the use of powered two-wheelers (PTW) was now "more relevant than ever", stressing that the vehicles should be viewed as "a serious and practical alternative to the use of cars and public transport". "PTWs are part of the solution to the problems of congestion and pollution and should not be ignored or treated as an afterthought," Mr Kenward insisted.

The MCI recently claimed that it is vital that alterations to the current motorbike testing regime do not restrict access for new riders.

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Past motorbike news