The rise of silver riders

Recent analysis of DVSA data from Moneybarn, has revealed the age of people taking motorbike tests is rising, with the number of over 55s increasing by more than 80% in the last five years.

60 seems to be the age many are deciding to cross getting a motorbike off the bucket list, as the number of people passing tests at this age has more than doubled. The oldest person to pass their test in 2017 was an impressive 80 years old.

Research from Saga Insurance has also revealed only one in five silver riders uses their bike to commute. Many are turning to riding as a hobby, using the additional spare time they have to treat themselves to a motorbike and enjoy the thrill it brings.

In contrast, numbers of younger bikers are dropping. The A2 licence allows you to ride motorbikes of up to 35kW and you must be 19 years old to take the test. However, the number of 19-year olds taking tests fell by nearly 20% in the last two years.

The data suggests many are holding out so they can apply for their full A licence, available for those aged 24 and over. It shows more than three times the number of 24-year olds taking the full A licence test compared with 23-year olds taking the A2 licence test.

Sales and marketing director of Moneybarn, Simon Bayley, commented, ‘It’s great to see the diversity of ages now enjoying riding motorbikes. The number of older individuals passing their tests shows people potentially fulfilling life-long dreams, once they have more free time and disposable income to purchase a bike.’