MAG theft data paints grim picture
Bikes are up to 35 times more likely to be stolen than cars
An investigation by the Motorcycle Action Group (MAG) has highlighted the scourge of motorcycle theft across the UK.
Using data from police force areas captured in 2021, the report has found that while motorcycles represent just 3% of vehicles registered on UK roads, they account for 25% of vehicle thefts.
Or, to look at it another way, a motorcyclist is 11 times more likely on average to have their vehicle stolen than a car owner.
Some force areas came out worse than others, however, and according to MAG’s statistics riders in Humberside are a staggering 35 times more likely to have their vehicle stolen than car drivers in the same region.
Avon and Somerset is also a higher risk area with a 23-time greater risk of suffering a theft. Interestingly, although the number of motorcycle thefts in London is very high (6.1% of registered bikes fell victim) the high car theft rate meant a ten times greater risk for bikers – which comes in below the national average.
“This analysis will come as little surprise to anyone that rides,” said report author, Colin Brown. “As motorcyclists, we have to deal daily with the threat that our vehicles will be stolen. I am disappointed that the National Vehicle Crime Working Group still openly states that its priority is cars and vans.
“Any other minority group exposed to such a disproportionate level of crime would see rigorous action. We don’t receive a level of interest by the authorities that matches the scale of the risk riders face.”
So, what do MAG want to see changed? For starters, a more consistent reporting procedure for bike thefts. Twelve of the 45 police forces contacted were unable to break down their theft data by vehicle type due to the way the information is recorded. And 14% of the recorded thefts that were supplied listed the vehicle type simply as ‘unknown’, which is ridiculous.
‘We have to deal with this threat daily’ COLIN BROWN, MAG