September 20th, 2026.



Motorcycling has real potential to help solve some of society's key transport challenges: cutting congestion and emissions, easing pressure on transport networks, supporting social mobility, reducing transport inequality and improving health and wellbeing. Over a million riders already contribute to this. But that potential is being held back by a set of very real problems that divert attention from motorcycling’s broader contribution to wider society. The National Motorcyclists Council has today launched a strategic ten-point plan with industry support, which proposes a blue print for action to tackle these problems.

Motorcycle theft, anti-social behaviour (ASB) and motorcycle-enabled crime affects motorcyclists directly, but it also affects the police, local communities and businesses, and it colours how motorcycling is seen more broadly. That reputational damage has real consequences: it feeds calls to restrict legitimate, lawful motorcycle access in rural and urban environments which is where motorcycling’s wider social benefits are very clear. It is a barrier to motorcycling being recognised as part of the solution to the UK’s transport issues.

The scale of the issue is significant. Thousands of motorcycles, scooters and mopeds are stolen across the UK each year, and many are drawn into wider criminal activity, including theft from pedestrians, shops and businesses, plus county lines drug operations that cross police and local authority boundaries. Rising concern about anti-social use of motorcycles, including high-powered eBikes that are often misidentified as motorcycles, has brought new attention to this area. Measures to tackle the issues have been introduced under the 2026 Crime and Policing Act.

This ten-point plan is the motorcycle sector response. It is possibly the first fully rounded, joined-up strategy to tackle these issues and, by doing so, clear the path for motorcycling to be recognised and supported as part of the answer to transport, environmental, social, mobility and economic issues. It combines strong enforcement with prevention and engagement, bringing together police, government, industry, riders groups and other stakeholders. It draws on technology, intelligence gathering, analysis, targeting, vehicle registration and rider education to tackle theft, ASB and crime at their source.

By addressing these issues head-on, the harm they cause to individuals, businesses and communities can be reduced. This will help deliver safer streets and better road safety for everyone and remove the reputational barriers that stand in the way of good policy making for motorcycling.

The plan also looks at the issues in a more strategic manner, proposing much more coordination between organisations. While having great merit in raising awareness of motorcycle theft, decades of individual anti-theft campaigns have not ‘shifted the dial’ in a fundamental way when it comes to motorcycle theft in particular. Given that this issue is now part of the wider social problem of motorcycle enabled crime and ASB, it is clear that the strategically focused ten-point plan announced today is needed.

NMC Executive Director Craig Carey-Clinch said: “While some of the proposed measures can be implemented immediately, and indeed many are already being progressed by industry and motorcycling organisations, others will require longer-term commitment, investment and partnership. Some remain aspirational at this stage, but bringing them together within a single strategic framework, with organisations working together, not separately, offers a clear roadmap for future action.”

Supporting today's launch, the Motorcycle Industry Association (MCIA) said: "Motorcycle theft remains a serious issue for riders, retailers and the wider industry, and we will always support measures, like this action plan, that help reduce it further. However, it is encouraging to see that motorcycle theft rates are falling, and 2025 figures are almost 15% lower than in 2022.

“These improvements reflect key investment from industry, riders taking security seriously and stronger enforcement from police.

“There is always more to do, and this ten-point plan is a helpful start to help drive theft down further and ultimately ensuring motorcycling is recognised for the important contribution it makes to the environment, society and the UK economy.”

The NMC and MCIA looks forward to engaging the Government, police and partner organisations to develop and deliver this programme of work. By working together, we believe it is possible to make a lasting reduction in motorcycle theft, tackle anti-social behaviour effectively and disrupt the criminal networks that exploit motorcycles for wider offending.


www.uknmc.org