I'm down south, and pretty much most weekends last summer (I work in the week, so only ride at weekends), were a washout. Only managed to get around 4k miles on my bike, which is the least miles I've done over the summer since I started riding.
I haven't noticed a drop in the Warwickshire area. I'm not privy to exact numbers, but training days and rideouts seem busy enough. > ... £1000 ... If you find IAM prices too salty, then try RoSPA - £85 plus Observers costs (say £15/£20 + coffee per training ride). You'll get very similar training - both use Roadcraft as the basis of their training. IAM National Observers and RoSPA Advanced Tutors get the same level of independent testing, so they should be of equivalent quality. RoSPA 'Group' Tutors/Observers (i.e. local to their group) get no formal head office testing, but they will have got a Gold and been trained by an Advanced Tutor, so they know what they're doing. The male/female ratio is around 1/10, but then again that's true of many biking groups. Over 60: again that's true of many biking groups. 60 / under 60 ratio: probably 4 / 1. GS / Ducati ratio: fair cop. About 10 / 1 for Observers and members in general. I'll be improving the Ducati side of the ratio once I've taxed the Pikes Peak next week. And I'll be using it for training for both IAM and RoSPA if you're in the area. Just get in touch. For the price of a set of tyres both IAM and RoSPA are well worth it.
The observers in our IAM affiliated club, voted overwhelmingly several years ago, to not accept any payment for an observed ride. A coffee and a sticky bun is always appreciated but it's not expected. We also get SFA from the IAM. Andy
That's very good of your club.As per IAM, RoSPA doesn't offer expenses to volunteers either. If someone wants to give me some petrol/tyre money I'll accept, but I don't ask - it's their call. The social side of both IAM and RoSPA are good too.
Sun shines on the righteous I guess The only damp weekend I remember was one where we up the Peak District and a heavy shower lasting about 10 minutes just as we rode down the steep hill into Castleton. Didn’t see any other rain to the point I stopped putting waterproofs in my top box. But even on nice days the bike shops were dead. Usually the decent weather brings out the tyre kickers and browsers, and the odd genuine buyer, but it just seemed really flat. Even some of the more popular bike stops were quiet. I put it down to the prolonged dry weather - in a crappy summer everyone is out on a decent day, whereas last year you could pick and choose. There aging market has to be a big factor I think. In the team I work in, there are 60 people and 3 ride bikes. My last team was around 50 and I was the only biker. The youngest is a woman in her 30s who has just passed her test. Most bike places I go I am often the youngest at mid 50s.
Amen to that! Weather has been shite here lately, either snow or heavy rain. Getting withdrawal symptoms at mo
From this exciting page: https://www.gov.uk/government/stati...licensing-statistics-data-tables#all-vehicles Ratio of licensed cars to licensed bikes: 1994: 28 to 1 2025: 23 to 1 Actual numbers: 1994: 18m cars versus 0.6m bikes 2025: 34m cars versus 1.4m bikes The SORN numbers of bikes makes the ratio even better. So, regardless of age, there should be more riders out there, relatively. Maybe there are less commuters, and more leisure riders now, and they (=we) aren't doing the same number of miles.
I would expect the small capacity market to be effecting the overall statistics. If you live in a built up area then you have probably noticed the rise in people using electric bicycles to commute; and for a lot of delivery drivers that would have previously had mopeds or other small capacity motorcycles. They are not having to pay road tax, insurance, etc. and are no longer worried about bus lane cameras and speed cameras. New bike purchases are heavily dependant on financing availability and with increased purchase prices as well as high interest rates for those without good credit/equity its just unreasonable. You will also struggle to get insurance around by me if you don't have a secure garage for overnight parking. Current average uk salary is £31,000.00 with the average rent at £16,000.00, leaves little money for food and utilities. So a bike for the summer weekends is not on most peoples radar. Its a shame for those that don't get to experience the fun of riding a motorcycle and communities of people within.
Or people own more bikes each? In the 80s I had one main bike and then maybe a project, most people I knew had just the one bike. Now I have three and most people I know have several. I know a few guys locally who have 10+. I think you are right about the miles/ use. There a few commuter bikes around but nowhere near as many as there used to be. Running a bike costs not far off running a car these days so there needs to be a reason for people to pick a bike. And miles wise, The most I ever did on a bike was just under 50,000 miles in a year (Living in Kenilworth and working near Maidenhead 3 days a week plus leisure miles at weekends) but regularly did 15-20,000 a year. Now I do 3-4000 max. I know most mates are similar.
Another issue: nowadays nearly all cars are automatics, and few drivers are accustomed to manual gearbox and clutch operation. But nearly all bikes have manual gear change and clutch. So the transition is more off-putting than it used to be.
Some interesting stats in numbers taking various routes to pass their test here https://www.motorcyclenews.com/news/2026/january/government-licence-reform-consultation-response/
