By Joanna Evans, Head of Bikmo For Business

There’s something beautifully simple about a bike. Two wheels, a frame and a saddle, it’s an (almost) unchanged design that needs little more than air, lube and energy to get you going. If only running a cycling business was that easy. 

Cycling seems to be in a permanent state of evolution with everyone from the major players to indies experiencing seismic shifts in how, where and why they operate. More than anything, industry players across the board are dealing with complexity, variety and diversity. 

The cycling industry is so much more than bikes

It’s rare for a bike shop to just sell bikes. Events companies now act like tour operators while bike fitters are giving training advice. 

We’ve seen firsthand how many cycling companies have stitched their insurance together to compensate for this complexity. It’s one policy for retail, another for deliveries, one policy covers public liability, and there’s a separate one for professional indemnity. And somewhere in the middle is a generic broker trying to make it all work.

It’s inefficient. If your insurance is spread across multiple providers, you’re probably spending more time managing policies than your team. And it’s possible you’re still not fully covered.

Partners with deep industry experience

Bikmo for Business insures all aspects of your cycling business in one place, with one provider who actually understands the industry.

Imagine a customer incident leads to both a liability claim and disruption to your operations. One provider means one point of contact. No delays while multiple providers decide who’s actually responsible. No delays or gaps in coverage. No missed opportunities to recover.

What happens when a claim touches more than one area of your business? Say a customer incident leads to both a liability claim and disruption to your operations. Or an injured party participated in different activities, both organised and run by you. 

If you’ve got policies with multiple insurers, it can quickly become a nightmare. Delays, gaps, finger-pointing, and missed opportunities to recover.

Our corporate cycling insurance brings everything from business interruption and goods in transit cover to public, product and employer liability under one roof. We’re a bike insurance company, not an insurance company that also does bikes. There’s a big difference. 

If you’re juggling multiple policies, or not quite sure where your cover begins and ends, it might be time to review your policy and chat to someone who knows. 

Want to know more? Fancy a chat with me or the rest of the team? You can speak to us directly at forbusiness@bikmo.com 

Bikmo has announced a new partnership with JobRad Loop, Germany’s largest bike refurbisher and part of the JobRad Group.

With over 500 brands and over 100 fresh refurbished bikes daily, the company is transforming micromobility for millions across Germany. Starting now, every JobRad Loop customer will receive 30 days free insurance on any refurbished bike purchased through JobRad-Loop.com. 

According to Bikmo, as a certified B-Corp and proud member of 1% for the Planet, Bikmo is committed to supporting sustainability initiatives across the cycling industry. Supporting the circular economy and sustainable cycling, Bikmo extends its “high-standard insurance to refurbished bikes, giving riders peace of mind when choosing expertly reconditioned options.” 

Refurbished bikes are an essential part of the future of cycling. These bikes represent a second life, crafted with care and precision and we believe they deserve the same protection and peace of mind as a brand new bike. Our partnership with JobRad Loop ensures that riders can enjoy New Bike Day, fully covered from the moment their bike arrives. – David George, CEO of Bikmo

Bikmo says the embedded 30-day free insurance offer marks a significant step in simplifying the cycling experience. By integrating coverage directly into the e-commerce journey, Bikmo removes the hassle of comparing quotes and providers. With 30 days free insurance, JobRad Loop customers can hit the road or trail with confidence, knowing their bike is protected against theft, accidental and malicious damage. 

JobRad Loop is another milestone in JobRad’s mission to make cycling easy and affordable for millions. From pioneering bike leasing to offering top-quality refurbished bikes, JobRad continues to lead the way in making sustainable, accessible mobility a reality.

Cycle insurance specialist Bikmo has revealed that reported bike thefts in England and Wales continue to decline, based on newly released police data.

According to Bikmo, the findings show “another year of progress, reinforcing a long-term downward trend in bicycle theft.”

The announcement coincides with the launch of Bikmo’s updated, free Bike Theft Heatmap, now featuring the latest police data, which reveals that reported bicycle thefts in England and Wales have been decreasing over the past few years: 

• 2022: 73,218 reported incidents 
• 2023: 64,507 reported incidents 
• 2024: 57,153 reported incidents

This trend indicates a consistent year-on-year decrease in bicycle thefts, with a 12% reduction from 2023 to 2024. 

Top Five Cities for Bike Theft in the UK

Certain areas continue to experience higher rates of bicycle theft. Based on theft rates per 100,000 residents, the top five UK cities are: 

1. Oxford – 729 per 100,000 (up from 688 in 2023) 
2. Cambridge – 660 (down from 812) 
3. York – 445 (down from 556) 
4. Newcastle upon Tyne – 252 (down from 325) 
5. Cardiff – 233 (down from 312) 

Despite a continued decline in reported bicycle thefts in England and Wales, the resolution rate for these crimes remains persistently low. In 2024, only about 2% of reported bike theft cases led to a suspect being charged, while approximately 89% were closed without a suspect being identified. This low prosecution rate may contribute to underreporting, as many victims feel that reporting the theft is unlikely to result in recovery or justice. 

The latest government plans for active travel, including the £291 million investment in cycling and walking infrastructure and a £101 million fund for national improvements, underline the commitment to increasing cycling participation. However, as cities become more cycle-friendly, theft remains a significant barrier to greater uptake. For the cycling insurance industry, this is a clear reminder of the need to further address security concerns in urban environments. 

While falling theft numbers are encouraging, bike crime remains a real concern for many riders, especially in urban centres. Bikmo says it continues to invest in tools like the Bike Theft Heatmap to help “empower riders with data to make smarter decisions about security and storage.”

As cycling becomes more central to how we move through cities, Bikmo is calling for greater collaboration between government, police, local authorities and the cycling community to tackle theft head-on, ensuring that riders feel confident choosing two wheels over four. 

Bikmo’s Bike Theft Heatmap 

At Bikmo, our mission is to protect riders and the places they ride. Bike theft is one of the biggest concerns for cyclists, and we believe that by providing free access to local crime data, we can help riders make smarter decisions. Tools like our Bike Theft Heatmap empower the cycling community with information to avoid hotspots and reduce the risk of theft.

We’re proud that this tool is used not just by riders, but also by law enforcement and policymakers looking to reduce crime and encourage more people to choose sustainable transport – David George, CEO of Bikmo

“Hotspots remain – but we’re working with partners to tackle them”, Titus Halliwell, National Police Lead for Cycle Crime, said: 

“It is promising to see continued reductions in cycle crime across the UK, supporting the growth in cycling. Our local partnerships are focusing efforts where they are most needed – and cyclists can further reduce their risk by locking their bikes securely and registering them with BikeRegister.” 

Bikmo has announced its first release from its new strategic partnership with Push.

According to Bikmo, the new collaboration enables seamless embedded insurance directly into the bike-buying journey—giving riders 30 days of free insurance, activated at the point of purchase. The first launch under this new integration is with Trek UK’s newly launched eCommerce site for their directly owned Trek stores.

We’re delighted to be part of Trek’s next stage of growth with Trek Store. More people, riding more, is a step forward for everyone. This is a little help along the way to ensure people are protected from the moment they get their new bike for anything that life might throw at them – David George, CEO of Bikmo.

Here are further details from the release:

Levelling the Playing Field for Local Retailers 

This launch marks a major milestone in supporting UK bike retailers—particularly independent bricks-and-mortar shops—as they navigate a rapidly evolving retail landscape. With e-commerce giants setting high expectations around service and value, local bike shops can now offer an added layer of customer confidence that rivals (and exceeds) online-only experiences. 

In addition to Trek, Bikmo and Push have also gone live with embedded insurance for JE James Cycles, a thriving independent UK retailer that successfully balances a strong e-commerce presence with physical retail stores. This expansion highlights how the partnership is designed to empower independent brands as well as global leaders, ensuring that riders benefit from the same level of protection and service regardless of where they choose to shop. 

“This isn’t just about Trek,” added George. “This is about giving all UK retailers the tools to compete—by adding real, tangible value to the rider experience. With Push, we’ve made it effortless for shops to offer insurance from the moment the bike is bought, without adding to the workload or checkout complexity.” 

By embedding Bikmo’s 30-day free insurance into the checkout process via Push, retailers can build trust, improve conversion, and ensure every new cyclist starts their journey protected—whether the bike is collected in-store or delivered to their door. 

A Foundation for the Future 

This Trek launch is just the beginning. The Bikmo + Push partnership lays the foundation for a future where embedded insurance becomes standard across the UK cycle retail industry, giving riders peace of mind and retailers a valuable new tool in their customer offering. 

Bikmo encourages all UK bike retailers using Push to explore how embedded insurance can enhance their customer experience and drive new levels of rider satisfaction. 

Bikmo and BikeBiz have partnered to offer insurance updates and relevant information to the cycle industry. 

With the ever-changing landscape of insurance, it’s important to make sure you have the right cover for your business, so we’ve teamed up with Bikmo to make things easier. 

Bikmo will offer up-to-date information for those working in the cycling industry to share all the need-to-knows and any changes, so you can stay up to date. Expect regular columns, updates and advice from the experts. 

This collaboration will go beyond providing information regarding business insurance; Bikmo will offer advice to those working in the cycling industry to make sure they have the right cover for their own bikes. 

Luc Hall, Partnerships & Business Development (UK&IE) from Bikmo said: “Partnering with BikeBiz gives us a great platform to share what we do best—offering commercial insurance solutions engineered specifically for the cycling world. From independent bike shops and epic events to gig-economy riders and micro-mobility projects, we’re here to help keep businesses protected and rolling smoothly. We’re looking forward to sharing insights, cutting through the jargon, and making insurance one less thing the industry needs to stress about.” 

Lauren Jenkins, editor of BikeBiz, commented: “When I joined as editor, I said I wanted to make BikeBiz more of a shared platform. I want to allow different areas of the industry to be able to communicate with our audience.

“This is a really positive step for us. I hope that allowing industry experts, such as Bikmo, to share relevant, helpful content for our audience, everyone benefits. Those in the industry will have a resource to turn to if they’re unsure about changes or things they need to be aware of, and Bikmo can better connect with the cycling industry.

“I’d welcome anyone to reach out with any questions or concerns when it comes to anything insurance-related, and we’ll make sure to let Bikmo know so they can create content that will help you on a personal and professional level.”

Head over to the insurance tab on the BikeBiz website to stay up to date with all the latest from Bikmo, and contact the BikeBiz team if you have any questions. For more information on Bikmo for your business, head to Bikmo for business.

This piece first appeared in the February edition of BikeBiz magazine – not subscribed? Get a free subscription. 

by Rebecca Bland

Rebecca Bland talks to Bikmo and Paria about ways the industry can encourage people to commute by bike.

Working in the cycling industry and for many of us, enjoying cycling as a hobby (in whatever form that may take), we recognise that cycling on the roads in the UK can be a bit of a mixed bag. So it’s no wonder that cycle commuting is a hot topic year after year – and the same questions are asked, like how can more people be encouraged to ditch the car and cycle? 

For the bike industry, it might feel like we’re up against a tidal wave of misinformation and a lack of policy and infrastructure change from the government. But that’s not to say that we can’t make an impact in encouraging more people to get on a bike on some level. 

Retailers and local bike shops have perhaps more consumer face time than large brands, and can often provide insight into why things are or aren’t working – like why exactly people aren’t picking up their bikes to ride to work. BikeBiz spoke to cycle insurers, Bikmo, and Yorkshire-based cycling clothing company, Paria to ascertain what they think about challenges the industry faces in getting more people to ride to work. 

For David George, CEO of Bikmo, the most important message he wants to get across to the industry is about bike security and the reduction of theft to encourage more people to ride to work:

“If we had a message to the industry as a whole, it would be to try and support the narrative that buying a good lock is important. Ideally, a Secure Sold Gold standard and above, which you can get for less than £50. This can really help to deter thieves. 

“Secondly, we recommend educating customers about securing their bikes properly. Ideally, securing the bike’s frame to what we term an immovable object – something like a specifically built bike stand. It’s a relatively simple thing, but it’s the biggest reason for us when we have to deny claims.”

Interestingly, the commuter market – and more specifically, those riding e-bikes, seem increasingly likely to insure their bikes. George reported that 45% of bikes insured last year were e-bikes. 

The question for many when deciding whether to insure a bike or even use a bike for commuting often comes down to: can I afford to replace this if it gets stolen? 

“A non-electric commuter bike is probably between £700 to £900,” added George.

“And is quite a significant amount of money for most people. So actually, spending £50 on a lock to make it less likely your bike is going to be stolen, is probably worth it. It doesn’t guarantee that it’s not going be taken, but if it’s still stolen, then use insurance as the backup.”

Retailers that offer products relating to commuting can educate customers on the importance of good locks as well as how to lock their bikes. But they can also suggest something like trackers.

“Bike registration is a really important part, especially with tracked bikes. It hasn’t quite permeated to the UK yet, because it’s still quite early days. But in Europe, for example, about 80% of stolen tracked bikes get returned to their owner, which is a massive difference from a single digit of bikes recovered here. 

“And that number is so low partially because you don’t know where the bikes are. So we are researching doing something in 2025 around tracked bikes to help support people who use one, to give them a significant discount on insurance because we recover more of them,” explains George.

But what about clothing companies? Is the ‘commuter’ market such a niche area that it would be unprofitable to label something as such? Sam Morgan, Director of Yorkshire-based Paria has taken a more blended approach to clothing design with his brand.

“We started as a pure technical cycling brand, and it has been consumer-led in terms of the demand, whereby people have asked for more stuff, and can you do this, and can you do that? 

“So, I started looking from an athleisure perspective, how we bring commuting and technical clothing together. We looked at things like what has an ergonomic use, but it can be a bit more stylised rather than kind of utility.”

Things that fall under this sort of category might be a technical fleece, hoodies, technical jackets and the like. And Morgan makes a good point, in that the kit you ride on your long weekend escapade doesn’t have to be different to what you wear to ride to work. We’re not suggesting full Lycra, but there can be more to cycling attire than traditionally thought.

“We’ve tried to look at it from a cycling ‘Vans’ kind of approach, whereby it has the technical credentials, and the roots in cycling, but you don’t necessarily have to be a mad keen rider to wear it. You can have more affinity with the culture, and it brings a culture beyond the kind of, high vis, trouser clips, typical commuter wear,” said Morgan.

That’s not to say that Paria doesn’t mention commuting in its product descriptions, nor that the brand’s pieces haven’t been designed with the commuter in mind. But Morgan seems keen on creating more of an open mind about cycling wear in general. And that may be useful in attracting more people to choose bikes as their mode of transport to commute.

UK bicycle retailers are set to benefit from a new partnership between the Association of Cycle Traders (ACT) and Bikmo Cycle Insurance. The partnership offers what’s being described as “a new revenue stream and competitive edge in the increasingly challenging cycling retail market.”

The newly launched scheme enables ACT Silver and Gold members to offer customers 30 days of free cycle insurance with every new bike purchase, while simultaneously earning £5 per policy processed.

This innovative approach aims to provide retailers with a unique selling proposition that could significantly enhance their sales strategy.

Jonathan Harrison, director of the ACT, said: “This is a significant breakthrough for independent bike retailers. In a challenging retail environment, we’re giving our members a powerful tool to attract customers and generate additional revenue from each sale. The free insurance provides an immediate added value that can help differentiate our members from online and large-scale competitors.”

The partnership offers retailers the opportunity to market bikes with the compelling proposition: “All our bikes come with 30 days free insurance”, potentially increasing sales and customer confidence.

Bikmo’s comprehensive insurance coverage includes protection against theft, accidental damage, and accessories, with no upfront payment required from customers.

Under the new scheme, ACT Silver and Gold members receive additional benefits:

1. 30 days of free cycle insurance on new bike purchases
2. £5 revenue for every free policy processed
3. Ability to offer customers a 5% discount on full Bikmo insurance policies

The initiative is designed to address the challenges independent bike shops face, providing a novel approach to adding value and generating additional income from each transaction. Customers must activate the insurance within seven days of bike delivery or collection, making the process simple and straightforward for both sellers and buyers. The cover does not renew automatically, and no payment details are required from the customer.

Full details of the scheme and how retailers can participate can be found here.

Bikmo has announced a new partnership with Cycling UK, a collaboration that brings together Bikmo’s expertise in protecting cyclists and their gear with Cycling UK’s vision of happier, healthier and greener lives through cycling.

The partnership establishes Bikmo as the new provider of the public liability cover, included as part of a Cycling UK membership.

Cycling UK members will also benefit from Bikmo’s comprehensive product range, including cycle insurance to protect bikes, gear and accessories, as well as travel insurance, with members receiving an exclusive 10% discount on these offerings.

Katie Legg, commercial director at Cycling UK, said: “We are thrilled to announce Bikmo as Cycling UK’s new insurance provider. We know how important the safety net of insurance is to our members, providing them with peace of mind when they get on their bikes.

“We also know how important it was to pick a provider that shares our vision of a safer, more sustainable cycling community.”

Cycling UK prides itself on being a charity that champions cycling as a safe and green way to get around for people of all backgrounds and abilities. Together with Bikmo’s B Corp status and 1% for the Planet commitment, the two organisations will aim to maximise the positive impact cycling can have through collaboration.

Rob Grisdale, Global Head of Partnerships at Bikmo said: “We’re thrilled to partner with Cycling UK as their official insurance provider.

“We have huge respect for the work that Cycling UK does, from powerful advocacy work, to inspiring more people to ride more. We are honoured to be trusted with protecting members with our specialist insurance policies.”

Expanding on the partnership, Legg further added: “We chose Bikmo because of the great value it can provide to members. It knows cycling inside and out, prides itself on delivering fantastic customer service, and remains committed to sustainability – Bikmo’s contributions to people and the planet through its B Corp and 1% for the Planet status are proof of this.

“Together, we look forward to empowering our members with the coverage they need to ride confidently, knowing they are supported by a provider doing its part to support the environment.”

Bikmo has announced a new partnership with Destination Sport Experiences, parent company to Sportive Breaks and Marathon Tours & Travel.

The partnership provides an exclusive discount for both Bikmo’s cycle insurance and travel insurance products, meaning runners and riders can feel protected when travelling for their next adventure.

Rob Grisdale, global head of partnerships at Bikmo, said: “At Bikmo, we’re thrilled to partner with Destination Sport Experiences to provide their customers with peace of mind cycle and travel insurance options.

“This collaboration allows us to combine our expertise in cycling insurance with Destination Sports’ commitment to delivering unforgettable experiences.”

Destination Sport Experiences offers its partners and clients a tailored approach and best-in-class solution via seven divisions.

With a global footprint across the UK and Europe, North America, Middle East, China and Australia, they’re a unique sports travel business.

Christian Locke of Destination Sport added: “Marathon Tours & Travel and Sportive Breaks are really excited to be partnering with Bikmo for our cycling and running customers’ insurance needs.

“Bikmo are renowned for their specialist cover in both bike and travel insurance with levels of cover designed for exactly the types of events our customers participate in.”

“Whether you’re running 10k’s, Half Marathons or Abbott World Marathon Major races and Ultra Marathons or cycling self-guided, participating in guided tours or weekenders or even taking on the toughest cycling Sportives across Europe there’s a level of cover for everyone.”

Read more: Madison Clothing launches AW24 range with a host of updates

There’s also a special discount for Marathon Tours & Travel and Sportive Breaks customers on their policies to get them started.

Bikmo is a cycle insurance specialist who exists to protect all riders, their rides, and the world in which they ride by offering insurance for bikes, kit, riders and cycle businesses across the UK, Ireland, Germany and Austria.

For more information, visit: bikmo.com

Specialist cycle insurance provider Bikmo has announced a new three-year partnership with the Association of Cycle Traders (ACT).

The collaboration marks a major milestone for Bikmo, which since launching its commercial insurance services in 2021 has insured hundreds of cycling businesses from independent retailers to a global food delivery company. 

The team has focussed on developing specialist products with insurers that understand the cycling sector.

Through this partnership, Bikmo will extend its commercial insurance services to 4,000 businesses represented by the ACT including retailers, manufacturers and suppliers, hire centres and bike workshops.

From this week, ACT Gold member retailers will benefit from a 10% additional discount on their business insurance, and 5% for Silver members. 

This is in addition to various discount rewards available for retailers that can demonstrate they are taking steps to manage their business risks effectively. 

The ACT, with over 100 years experience of in supporting independent businesses see this collaboration as an opportunity to further enhance the quality and value of the services available to its members at a time when the sector needs it most.

Rob Grisdale, Global Head of Partnerships at Bikmo said: “We are very excited to be working with the ACT to support their members with specialist insurance advice and cover. 

“Insurance should be a reliable lifeline when the unexpected happens, but in recent years businesses have been struggling to find cover without gaps or impracticable terms.

“We feel a strong sense of duty to step up and make insurance work for, and not against, our industry cohort. The ACT, together with our trusted insurers, are perfect partners for this mission.”

Jonathan Harrison, Director at the ACT commented: “We’re thrilled to collaborate with Bikmo. The partnership represents a significant step forward in our mission to support and strengthen the cycling industry. 

“By offering our members access to specialist insurance services that understand the unique challenges of our sector, we’re ensuring that they are better equipped to thrive.”