Crashes involving motorcycles lead to a 40 percent spike in car insurance claims, data from an insurer has revealed.
Increasing numbers of motorcyclists on Britain's roads as the weather gets warmer could cause a spike in car insurance claims, one provider has claimed.
AA Motorcycle Insurance claimed that the overall number of people on bikes would increase by at least four figures over the next few weeks. Analysis from the firm also indicated that many bikers choose not to ride during the winter months, leading to the phenomenon of "road rust" during the spring.
This is potentially dangerous, due to both bikers' needing to get back into the habits of safe riding after their break from the road and car drivers' unfamiliarity with sharing the road with so many motorcycles. Statistics from the AA also show that the problems are likely to be widespread, with claims increasing by 40 percent in the Spring for motorbike-related accidents.
Simon Douglas, director of AA Motorcycle Insurance, commented: "We have all heard of road rage, but at this time of year the big danger to bikers is 'road rust' among drivers who have lost the habit of looking out for bikes. The skills of many motorcyclists need polishing too after a long lay-up, so it's important for both to be aware of the risks as the results can be tragic."
There are around 1.6 million motorbike riders registered in the UK, compared to over 30 million car drivers.
