The cost of living crisis is only set to get worse
The UK has been in the grip of a severe crisis for the past year, with the cost of living becoming more and more difficult for people to sustain. The rising prices of fuel and food have seen many families stretched to the limits, with some people even being referred to food banks to pick up supplies for their families. Despite the latest measures set out by the conservative government, the cost of living crisis is set to get even worse in the coming months, and people are looking for alternative ways to make ends meet. Whilst it will not solve every problem we are yet to face; many are turning to riding a motorbike as opposed to driving a car in the hope that this will help to bring down household costs.
Not only could riding a motorbike be cheaper than driving a car, as we will see later in this blog but there are many physical and mental health benefits that are also attributed to riding a motorbike.
Physical health benefits – You can expect stronger knees and thighs, improved core strength, calorie burning and increased neck strength when you ride a motorbike.
Mental health benefits – Riding a motorbike can help you to forget your stresses, become one with nature and focus on the running of your machine, which could be just the thing you need for your mental health.
Riding a motorbike is cheaper than driving a car
So is riding a motorbike actually cheaper than driving a car? Let’s take a look at some of the average figures to see how much (if anything) we could be saving if we switch to riding a motorbike.
| Cost | Motorbike | Car |
| Fuel per litre @ £1.72 | 56.7 mpg = £25.80 (15L) | 38.8mpg = £106.00 |
| Annual Insurance | £294.00 | £419.00 |
| Annual Tax | £73 (400-600cc) | £120.00 |
| Servicing/maintenance | £150.00 | £200.00 |
**The figures above are true at the time of writing (September 2022).
As you can see from the table above, riding a motorbike could definitely be more cost-effective than driving your car, particularly if you are commuting to work on a daily basis. Whilst the figures are based on average costs, and there is some flexibility, it is clear that motorbikes are more cost-effective. With vehicles often making up a large portion of our monthly expenses, during this cost of living crisis, many people are choosing to get rid of a car and share one with the household or are opting to walk or take public transport more.
Save on your insurance by riding a motorbike
A lot of people don’t realise how cheap motorcycle insurance actually is. Motorcycles are usually considered low risk because they’re small and light. But even though motorcycles are generally less expensive to insure than cars, there are still some ways you can save money. Here are five reasons why motorcycle insurance is cheaper than standard car insurance.
You’re less likely to cause property damage
If you’re involved in an accident, chances are you’ll be responsible for causing some sort of damage to someone else’s property. If you’re driving a large, heavy car, it’s very possible you could accidentally hit something and cause significant damage. However, if you’re riding a motorbike, you’re much less likely to cause serious damage to another person’s property. In fact, most accidents involving motorcycles involve no damage whatsoever. This means that if you’re involved in an incident, your insurance provider is less likely to have to cover damages to another person’s property or injuries sustained by others.
Your bike is typically worth less
Many people think that a motorcycle is just a fancy bicycle. While bikers know that to be rubbish, it’s important to know that a motorcycle is often considered a lower-value item. A motorcycle is also considered a luxury item since it doesn’t necessarily serve a utilitarian purpose. Because of this, you’re less likely to have to file a claim against your insurance provider if you’re involved in a crash.
This may also interest you:
5 top tips for riding a motorbike safely in hot summer weather
The rising popularity of motorbike delivery riders in 2022
Challenges motorcyclists face on a daily basis
Book your motorbike test with NLMT today and start saving
The cost of living crisis is a big issue for many people. The escalating cost of living has left many people struggling to make ends meet, and it is getting worse by the month. The cost of living crisis is affecting everyone and seems set to stay for the foreseeable future. The simple fact is that, based on the current average salary combined with rising living costs, many of us cannot continue to run our cars and homes the way we have become accustomed to. Whilst opting for riding a motorbike will not solve the cost of living crisis, it could make it slightly easier to make ends meet at home.
If you are looking to complete your CBT or DAS course, get in touch with NLMT today and see how we can help you start to save money at home whilst enjoying your commute every day.