Over in the USA, the problem of motorcycle theft is just as serious as it is in Western Europe. High value machines are targeted, plus off-roaders. The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) has published stats which show that motorcycle thefts increased 7 percent from 2021 to 2022, marking another year of rising thefts according to the NICB’s 2022 Vehicle Type Theft Report. Motorcycle thefts rose 7% last year, according to a new NICB report and this is the third year ina row that thefts have risen.
It’s a common trend; economic recession and inflation leads to financial stress, job loss, higher utility bills and those who like a quick solution often turn to crime.
2022 Motorcycle Theft Data by Month
An average of 4,561 motorcycles were reported stolen each month in 2022. Thefts climbed steadily from a low of 2,879 in February, peaking in July at 6,394. Motorcycle thefts surpassed the monthly average during the warmer season from May through October.
“While we witness the rise in vehicle thefts year after year, we are encouraging all owners, and especially motorcycle riders to take great care in protecting their property,” said David J. Glawe, president and CEO of NICB. “Even though you can’t completely control when criminals target you or your vehicle, you can help deter would-be thieves by taking proactive, easy, and effective steps to prevent these thefts.”
Californians again led the pack in reporting the most motorcycle thefts with 9,838 stolen bikes in 2022, accounting for 30 percent of all motorcycle thefts in the United States. Reporting less than half of California’s total thefts, Florida’s and Texas’ riders experienced the second and third most motorcycle thefts during the same period with 4,563 and 4,145 reports, respectively.
The top 10 states for motorcycle thefts made up 60 percent of the 54,736 motorcycle theft reports in the U.S. in 2022. As reports of stolen motorcycles rise, more than 40 percent are recovered thanks to the efforts of law enforcement agencies. The National Insurance Crime Bureau works with state and federal law enforcement agencies to target criminal organizations engaged in insurance fraud.
Be the first to comment