Easy Access

The first thing you’ll need to commute to and from work is, of course, a motorcycle. The good thing is that from the age of 16, you can legally take your motorcycle through Compulsory Basic Training, otherwise known as a CBT.

This is a one-day course that is designed to not be a pass-or-fail test but more of a chance for you to prove your abilities on the road. If you can demonstrate that you can safely ride a motorcycle on the roads, you will be allowed to ride using a provisional licence.

There are some terms to this, though; if you are 16 years old, you must ride a 50cc moped or motorcycle limited to 28mph; if you are 17 or older, you can ride a 125cc motorcycle restricted to 15HP/11kW of power; additionally, you must display L plates on the front and rear of the motorcycle.

This process is incredibly easy and straightforward, giving prospective riders very easy access to riding a motorcycle on a learner’s licence, thus allowing them to commute to work on a motorcycle.

Riding is good for your health

Riding a motorcycle boosts your physical and mental health by burning calories as you ride and generally improving your mood due to dopamine and endorphins being released.

So, after a long and stressful day at work, why not take the longer route home and decompress for a little while? You may as well.

Filtering is legal in the UK

One of the major upsides of riding a motorcycle is that they can filter past traffic, meaning no more traffic jams for you! No need to sit amongst the hundreds of cars all huddled up nose to tail with disgruntled drivers inside wanting to get to or from work; you can simply ride past them into the distance, cutting down your commute time, saving you fuel, and reducing overall congestion on the road.

Filtering can be dangerous, and it is only worth doing if you have the confidence, and are able to control your motorcycle in a safe manner. You may also find yourself more liable for fault in the case of an accident.

Cheaper to upkeep, maintain, and purchase

When compared to a car, motorcycles are much cheaper to purchase, insure, tax, service, MOT, and fuel up.

Basically, they are cheaper in absolutely every manner, and in this economy, every penny saved is vital, meaning switching to a motorcycle over a car could be a great decision for your pocket in the long run.

Additionally, parking a motorcycle will be cheaper depending on where you go, with lots of places offering free parking for motorcycle users.

More fun

Riding a motorcycle is fun, and it’s no wonder they are so popular, so why not start and finish your work day with a bit of fun to get you in the mood to work, then a blast of fun at the end of the day to get rid of the stresses from work.

Disadvantages of commuting on a motorcycle

Unfortunately, it’s not all sunshine and roses. There are some downsides to commuting to work on a motorcycle, as written by someone who did it for 3 years! 

Weather

Weather is pretty much the bane of most motorcyclists’ lives; they plan out entire trips or weekends away on the bike only for it to rain and either completely ruin their plans or ensure they are dripping wet the entire time, increasing their risk of an accident.

The rain can make commuting on a motorcycle suck, there’s no doubt about it, especially if it rains for days on end and your commute to and from work every day is just an onslaught of rain, that is, unless you’re one of those weirdos that don’t mind putting on wet gear at the end of the day after getting drenched in the morning.

Cold weather is also a factor; investing in technology such as heated grips, gloves, and heated bodywarmers is definitely a godsend, but it’s still pretty tricky navigating frozen and icy roads with half the wheels of a car, meaning if you hit that black ice or white line at the wrong angle, you could find yourself on your backside fairly easily.

If you are opting to commute on a motorcycle all year round, it’s best to gear up and ride to your limits in all weathers, even opting for public transport at times when you don’t feel comfortable riding.

More Dangerous

Motorcycles are dangerous? Wow, tell me something I didn’t know…

We don’t have to tell you that they’re more dangerous, that’s kind of obvious. You’ve got half the wheels of a car, and there’s no metal cage surrounding you to protect you from harm. If you crash, you’re going to feel it. It’s no wonder that in 2019, despite making up less than 1% of all road traffic, motorcycles contributed to 19% of all fatalities.

If you’re choosing to commute to work and back, beware of the risks and take any additional training you may feel you require.

Less storage space

Cars can carry much more than a motorcycle; that’s obvious. Sure, you can fit a top box, wear a rucksack, and use a tank bag to carry more items, but sometimes a car comes in better use when you’re required to lug a bit more than your lunchbox around with you to work and back.

Try to think about what would be more practical for you and your needs at work.

Having to store helmet and gear somewhere

We are advocates for ‘ATGATT’, meaning All The Gear, All The Time, meaning you should be wearing all your motorcycle gear when riding your motorcycle, that means boots, gloves, trousers, a jacket, and of course the one legal requirement of a helmet.

The issue is, when you arrive at work, where’s this stuff going to go? Maybe there’s a cloakroom where you can leave it, or you can store it under your desk? But what if it’s wet?

It’s worth looking at what you can do with your gear and where you can leave it, especially if you may need to move around during the day, taking these items with you around the office.

Can’t really take people to work and back

If you wanted to give your co-worker a lift and you’ve got a spare helmet, then sure, why not? But that’s your limit, as motorcycles can only carry one passenger at a time.

Furthermore, if you are riding on a CBT or learner’s licence, you legally cannot carry a passenger until you have passed your full licence.