Motorcyclists are being advised to look into the safety of their motorbikes. Additionally they are being advised not to make fake insurance claims

With the recession leaving more people in Britain strapped for cash, an increasing number of motorists are ditching their cars and turning to two wheelers.

As a result, the number of car accidents in the UK has dropped by 8 per cent for the year ending March 2009 compared to the year before, according to recent figures from the Department for Transport, (DfT).

Simon Douglas, the director of insurance provider, AA Insurance, stated that he was not surprised by the results.

He said: "This year has seen fuel prices rise along with other demands on family budgets, as well as rising levels of redundancy; all of which discourages car use: indeed, the DfT notes that traffic volumes fell by 2 per cent over the year."

Yet with the financial hole getting deeper and darker, the number of fraudulent claims have also soared as Brits attempt to find new ways to get hold of quick, easy cash in a bid to make ends meet.

However, those cheating on bike insurance could end up out of pocket in the future.

Fraudulent claims can only mean more debt

According to the Association of British Insurers (ABI), Britons who file false insurance claims will face higher insurance costs in the future and are more likely to be rejected for loans.

ABI stated that insurance firms and other financial institutions keep the fraudulent claims of individuals on databases which can affect their credit ratings.

However, a vast number of claims are genuine and the number of motorcyclists falling victim to bike theft is soaring along with the number of bikes across Britain's roads.

According to the leading stolen vehicle recovery firm, Tracker, "more low value models" are catching the eye of thieves.

Bill Raynal, the managing director of Tracker, said: "Models such as the Peugeot Ludix worth just £1,000, are hot favourites with thieves, alongside £10,000 models such as the BMW R11650."

In June this year, a test conducted by the insurance provider, More Than, found that bike thieves are becoming more efficient in walking away with bikes, with one vehicle being stolen at London Bridge railway station after just 17 minutes of being left alone.

Bike theft hotspots highlighted

Glasgow was found to be the second worst place for bike theft after the vehicle was stolen under one hour and 30 minutes, with Birmingham taking third place at just under two hours.

Marketing director Pete Markey of More Than, said: "The experiment has shown us that it doesn't matter who you are or where you live: if you don't take the necessary precautions, it's only a matter of time before your bike is stolen.

It really does make sense then to ensure your bike is secured properly to an immovable object before you leave it unattended, and to think about taking out insurance cover just in case the worst should happen."

Mr Raynal advised motorcyclists to ensure they secure their vehicles.

He said: "All motorcycle owners need to take steps to protect their assets, as the current economic climate means many households aren't in the position to replace a stolen bike.

Having a tracking device installed offers owners that added level of security, increasing their chances of recovering their stolen bike."