Record fuel prices, soaring public transport costs and spiraling insurance rates mean British commuters are being hit harder in the pocket than ever before. However help is at hand with Colin Appleyard Motorcycles whose range of two wheeled bikes are offering commuters a cost effective, time efficient and more environmentally friendly alternative. 

One of the sharpest rises faced by motorists in the last year has been the increase in insurance costs. A study by leading price comparison site www.confused.com has revealed the cost of premiums rose by 38.2% in 2010 taking the average premium to £695[i], meaning drivers are now paying nearly £200 more than they were at the beginning of 2010. By comparison, the average comprehensive motorcycle premium is just £142.43[ii] and while reports suggest that car premiums are set to continue rising, premiums for bikes, according to one of the UK’s biggest bike insurers Carole Nash are expected to fall.[iii]

Motorbikes can also be savers when it comes to fuel costs. With motorbikes benefitting from greater average mpg figures than cars, commuters on two wheels are making dramatic savings on weekly petrol costs. The Yamaha Vity is one of the best value, reliable scooters on the market with some owners reporting around 125mpg.[iv]

Motorbikes also offer an attractive alternative to the escalating public transport costs which have seen train fares increase by an average of 6.2%.[v] As well as being cheaper, bikes also offer the added advantage of being quicker than cars and public transport, with figures from the Department for Transport showing motorbikes and scooters can cut travelling time by up to 30%.[vi]

With motorbikes offering an attractive alternative, adults across Britain can now experience the incredible cost saving benefits of life on two wheels for FREE thanks to the Motor Cycle Industry's Get On campaign, an initiative which offers anyone over the age of 16 a free one hour lesson. As a member of the Get On campaign, Colin Appleyard Motorcycles provide you with great finance packages, insurance deals and with a vast range of motorbikes and scooters on offer, they are the perfect place to visit to begin your two wheeled journey.

The huge cost saving benefits of life on two wheels are also perfectly illustrated with the Get On campaign's ingenious Travel Calculator which can be found at www.geton.co.uk. Choosing from the car and public transport options users simply enter details including average journey length, fuel costs and insurance costs and the site will tell them what the equivalent costs would have been on two wheels.

Robin Appleyard, Managing Director of Colin Appleyard Ltd commented, "The escalating costs of car ownership, especially for young drivers, combined with the ever growing congestion faced by cars is making motorbikes and scooters more attractive than ever before. As well as being cheaper to run and quicker through traffic, bikes offer a wealth of benefit such as being easier to park and reducing travel and running costs.

More and more people are beginning to realise the benefits of life on two wheels with over 21,000 people having already signed up for a free lesson via Get On. As transport and associated costs continued to rise in the early part of 2011 there has been a direct correlation with people moving to bikes as a solution.  We have the perfect range of options available."

Riding a 125cc motorbike or scooter only requires a day's training and you could be on the road for as little at £60 per month.  With road fund licence from only £16 a year and fuel economy from some bikes and scooters at 100+mpg the savings you make on two wheels will soon mount up.  So you’ll actually have some money to spend whilst enjoying the time you save too.

For more information and to register for your FREE one hour lesson contact Colin Appleyard Motorcycles in Leeds (0113 248 5000) or Keighley (01535 606311) or email enquiries@colinappleyard.com 

[i] Figures from Confused.com and EMB Car Insurance Price Index, 2010 
[ii] Figures from AA British Insurance Premium Index
[iii] Figures issued by Carole Nash, 2010
[iv] Figures based on reports from owners not actual test results
[v] Figures from the Association of Train Operating Companies (Atoc)
[vi] Department for Transport, Regional Transport Statistics, 2009

Our annual saving example has been calculated based on a petrol car carrying out an average of 10,000 miles at 35mpg, a comprehensive insurance premium of £695, servicing of £200 and Band G road tax (Band G examples = Ford Focus 1.6 hatchback, Vauxhall Astra 1.6 hatchback) against running costs of a typical 125cc Scooter per annum

Model shown is a Yamaha Vity which some of our customers report as achieving 125mpg!