MANCHESTER, UNITED KINGDOM -- (Marketwire) -- 09/17/12 -- London is the biggest scooting city in the UK, with more than half of its bikers choosing to ride a scooter, Swinton Bikes has revealed.

Quote data from Swinton Bikes - a leading broker of motorcycle insurance - shows that 53% of those who ride a motorbike in the capital choose a scooter.

The high number of scooters in the city comes as no surprise following the enormous success of the 2012 London Olympics, with increased congestion causing motorists to look for alternative means to get around and avoid the traffic.

Riders in London also enjoy additional benefits with their inner-city two-wheeler - as all motorbikes, sidecars, scooters and mopeds are exempt from the city's congestion charge, and do not have to pay parking fees in designated parking areas. In addition, the high number of scooter related trades in the capital, from courier to fast food delivery drivers.

The second biggest scooting city was Portsmouth with 44% of its biking population made up of scooters, closely followed by Norwich who rode in at third place with 41%.

Interestingly however, Brighton, the historic capital of mod culture, ranked 10th on the list of pivotal scooting cities, with just 38% choosing the iconic two-wheeler.

The top-ten scooting cities in the UK, according to Swinton Bikes quote data, are:

1.  London (53%) 
2.  Portsmouth (44%) 
3.  Norwich (41%) 
4.  Kingston-upon-Hull (41%) 
5.  Fylde (40%) 
6.  Sutton-Morden (40%) 
7.  Bournemouth (39%) 
8.  Truro (39%) 
9.  Manchester (38%) 
10. Brighton (38%) 

It is thought that the double-dip recession, an increase in petrol prices and rising rail fares have led to motorists looking for a cheaper alternative to their usual four-wheels. The recent hike in petrol prices, as well as commuters looking to save money by trading their car for a smaller, more fuel-efficient mode of transport.

Recent figures released by the Motorcycle Industry Association (MCIA) have shown that the number of new scooters registered with the DVLA rose by 12% in 2011 - with a staggering 20% increase in the number of larger 125cc motorcycle scooters registered.

Similarly, Peugeot announced that it has seen a 62% increase in the purchase of scooters in Greater London alone - a figure which could suggest that city-dwellers are looking for quick and easy ways to dodge the traffic during the 2012 Olympic Games.

Anthony Aronin, Head of Swinton Bikes, said: "The fact that London is the biggest scooting city in the UK could easily be a reflection on the increased levels of congestion in the capital.

"In addition to this the number of trades reliant on a quick and cost-effective mode of transport, plus the fact that scooters are exempt from the congestion charge, only adds to their popularity. Scooters are also associated with lower-cost bike insurance quotes and when all these factors are put together a move to a scooter makes real economic sense."

About Swinton

--  With 553 branches nationwide Swinton is the UK's largest high street
    insurance retailer. 
--  Unlike many other companies in the financial services industry, Swinton
    is committed to keeping its branches open for business, and part of the
    community. 
--  Swinton provides a one-stop-shop for the insurance and related needs of
    its clients, offering home, car, caravan, business, holiday, motorbike
    and even classic car insurance. 
--  With a dedicated team of advisors on hand at every branch to search a
    panel of insurers to offer quality cover at competitive rates.