Far from being just a hobby, motorcycling can offer stress relief, mental clarity, and a powerful sense of community. As interest in biker communities surges, and with mental health challenges on the rise across the UK, these clubs are becoming safe spaces for people to find friendship, purpose, and emotional support.

This article explores how motorcycling and biker communities are helping to support mental health, covering:

• The relationship between mental health and motorcycling
• The impact of community clubs
• What do I get from joining a motorcycle club?

• One in four people in England experience a mental health issue each year, while one in six face ‘common’ conditions like anxiety or depression weekly - Mind
• There are estimated to be over half a million more lonely people in the UK than there were during the pandemic, with the prevalence of chronic loneliness rising from 6% (3.24 million people) in 2020 to 7.1% (3.83 million people) in 2023 - Campaign to End Loneliness
• Men are statistically less likely to access psychological therapies than women, accounting for only 36% of referrals to NHS talking therapies. However, three times as many men die by suicide in the UK than women - Mental Health Foundation

Google search data (1) shows a growing demand for mental health support in the UK. Searches for “mental health support” rose by 8% over the past year to 277,000 monthly—a 53.3% increase since 2020. Globally, searches now total 451,000 per month.

Additionally, AlsoAsked data (2) reveals that people searching "where can I get support for mental health" are often seeking guidance on where to turn or who to speak to, highlighting a widespread uncertainty about how to ask for help. Meanwhile, UK searches for "loneliness" have returned to mid-pandemic levels (40,000 monthly), with global searches rising by 7.4%, reflecting the ongoing impact of isolation on mental well-being.

• Studies have found that riding a motorcycle can decrease stress and improve mental focus. The findings revealed that motorcycle riding decreased hormonal biomarkers of stress by 25% and sensory focus was enhanced while riding a motorcycle versus driving a car.
• In an interview with The Telegraph, motorcyclist Adela Mei, 52 claims that motorcycling is “better than therapy” for her.
• Looking at terms that are most frequently searched alongside “motorcycle communities near me” (2) suggests that a common reason for searching is to find out how to connect with and befriend other motorcyclists, highlighting the social benefits that motorcycling can bring.

To find out more about the mental health and wellness benefits of motorcycling, we spoke to Paul Oxborough, Founder and Chairperson at Mental Health Motorbike, a free face-to-face and online mental health first aid support charity for the biker community throughout the UK.

Image Credit: Mental Health Motorbike

“One of the magical things about motorbikes is that you can pull up in a car park and park next to a complete stranger (another biker) and before you have even taken your helmet off you are talking to them about bikes and journeys”, Paul says. “It is a very powerful tool for breaking the ice and this can be the biggest issue for people starting to ask for help.”

“What is also very interesting for motorbikers is if a bike is broken down at the side of the road it will not be long before another biker pulls up and checks that they're okay. Our charity asks the question: if they're prepared to do this for the machine, are they prepared to do the same when the biker's head breaks down? And this becomes a very core question at the heart of our charity because we believe we should stop for both bike and biker.”

When we asked about how things have changed since the Covid-19 pandemic, Paul shared that they have noticed more mental health issues presenting themselves to the charity. “I think part of this is that people have been given more permission to talk about the struggles they are experiencing”, he notes.

“But what is more disturbing is the infrastructure and support services that we refer people to seems to be becoming less and less. Our charity is very good at getting people to open up but we need more support services to refer them to. My message to the professionals is, don't ask for people to talk about how they are and then not give them the tools to get better – more investment is needed.”

Amid reports of a failing mental health system in the UK, our research suggests that people may be turning to community groups:

• Searches for “community groups” peak globally each spring (1), with 232,000 monthly searches worldwide and 33,000 in the UK. Over the past year, global interest has grown by 15%, while UK searches have seen a 5% increase.
• Search data reveals a 50.6% rise in global interest for “community groups” and a 33.3% increase in the UK compared to the same period, post-pandemic (1). While interest in such groups was expected to decline post-pandemic, the latest data indicates that demand is now significantly higher than before.
• Yelp reports that people are using its platform to find and join local group activities, revealing that social clubs are trending, with interest in everything from chess clubs (up 47%) to run clubs (up 82%) spiking.

We took to Google to discover the types of community clubs trending across the UK (1):

Five-year trends in the UK – monthly search volumes

Volleyball clubs near me - a breakout trend (at least a 5,000% increase)

Art clubs near me +750%

Tennis clubs near me +450%

Book clubs near me +400%

Biker clubs near me +300%

Football clubs near me +200%

Running clubs near me +130%

Within the last 12 months, there have also been increases in interest for “walking groups near me” (+40%) and “football clubs near me” (+60%) (1).

This aligns with a study from January 2024 which found that reading, walking, and sports are some of the UK's favourite hobbies.

12-monthly global data (1) also shows a new pickleball trend, with the terms “pickleball” and “pickleball near me” both experiencing a 250% spike in interest over the last year.

• The term “motorcycle club” experiences 279,000 monthly searches worldwide and 16,000 within the UK (1).
• In the last five years, there has been a 300% spike in UK searches (1) for “biker clubs near me” (also increasing by 40% in the last 12 months) and a 250% increase in “local motorcycle clubs near me”.

Data from AlsoAsked (2) reveals that people are focused on how to connect with and befriend other motorcyclists. There are also questions on whether there are any apps that can be used to help with this.

This highlights a desire for community and shared experiences within the motorcycling world, emphasising the social aspect of riding as much as the activity itself.

AlsoAsked queries relating to “motorcycle communities near me” (UK)

How do I meet people who ride motorcycles?

How to find a motorcycle riding buddy?

What is the app that finds motorcycle friends?

How to find local motorcycle riders?

Is there an app for motorcycle riders to meet?

How to connect with other motorcycle riders?

How to make friends with other bikers?

What is the best app to meet motorcycle riders?

How do I connect with other motorcycle riders?

Positively, a mental health organisation has been formed in Wales (Make Your Mark) which aims to train bikers to provide support to others in their communities and offers monthly ‘chat and check in’ style meet-ups.

Technology is helping people connect virtually, a trend we have seen evolve since the pandemic. The people behind popular dating apps such as Bumble and Match have released friend-finding versions of their services, creating a new way to build friendships as an adult.

AlsoAsked searches (2) for the phrase, “community groups near me” show that people are looking for online community recommendations, with specific searches for sites such as Bumble BFF and Meetup.

• There has been a 200% increase in UK searches for “online communities to join” in the last five years, while interest in “virtual communities” has increased by 60% globally (1).
• Monthly global search volumes for “virtual communities” are up 32% from the previous quarter and 3% in the last month. Levels are also slightly higher than experienced during and post-pandemic (1), despite the greater need for ‘virtual’ activities during this time.
• Whatsapp communities are bringing people together in topic-based groups – there has been a 110% increase in UK searches for “WhatsApp community” in the last 12 months and a 90% increase in interest for “WhatsApp community groups” (1). The first was also a breakout trend when looking at five-yearly data.

From social and leisure clubs to touring groups and those that bring riders who share a love for a specific brand or model of bike together, the UK boasts a wide variety of motorcycle community clubs that cater to diverse interests, locations, and types of motorcyclists.

Mental Health Motorbike’s Paul shares, “There are so many diverse groups out there and finding the right one will make a big difference. If somebody wants to do some skills training they could join one of the IAM Roadsmart groups, alternatively there are lots of women's or LGBTQ+ biker groups.”

For anyone feeling hesitant about joining a club for the first time, he suggests starting by joining the club's Facebook group which will allow you to gauge the group's dynamic and see whether it aligns with your interests and needs before committing.

“The beauty of motorcycle groups is that there will always be a meet-up and a chance to have a cuppa together”, says Paul.

As part of our research, we chatted to five different UK motorcycle clubs (3) – Mayflower Motorcycle Club, West Wales Motorcycle Club, Gay Bikers Motorcycle Club (GBMCC), BRIMBO, and one Norfolk-based group that wishes to remain anonymous.

“We are a bunch of individuals who enjoy each other's company now and again. We do not dress the same, ride the same type of bike, look-alike, or live in the same county or even country”, says Kevin, Chair of GBMCC.

What you can expect from a club largely depends on the type of community you're interested in joining. West Wales Motorcycle Club focuses on promoting positive mental health through motorcycling, while GBMCC is the largest LGBT+ motorcycle club in the UK and Europe.

Below, are some of the things we learned to expect out of a motorcycle community club from the groups that we spoke to:

• Regular informal meet-ups and evening social activities such as at cafes and pubs, in between official meetings which appear to typically occur monthly.
• The camaraderie among people with a common interest and long-lasting friendships.
• Trips and riding activities such as rally attendance, weekend trips across the country, local day rides, and even continental trips and summer camps.
• Access to training opportunities and affiliations with national groups and organisations. Also, the opportunity to share advice and knowledge on motorcycling topics.
• Virtual connection through WhatsApp, Facebook, and newsletters.
• Charity support including actively supporting local organisations and annual events to fundraise.

Graham Sine, West Wales Motorcycle Club’s Secretary says that their group primarily offers “fortnightly workshop sessions where members can socialise and work on helping to restore our project bikes.”

Graham explains, “This not only teaches things that might save money or help them to stay safe it also helps them to build their confidence. We also periodically organise social activities such as film nights and quiz nights, both of which generally have an emphasis on motorcycling.”

Paul suggests that “being part of a community like a motorcycle club or group can give a sense of purpose, identity and allow you to share common interests. It allows you to do things together and feel part of a team which is very good for self-esteem and personal confidence.”

Other than West Wales Motorcycle, most of the club spokespeople we interviewed feel that their club doesn’t offer any ‘specific’ mental health initiatives. One group shared that this is not something they had actively pursued beyond creating a supportive environment, but that our interview may initiate a more formal discussion around this.

However, the unspoken support, friendship, and sense of community that these clubs offer may provide the most significant mental health benefits, considering the wellness advantages of community groups already discussed.

Kevin notes that “most of our club members will say that they see motorcycling as the greatest benefit to their mental health”, while a club spokesperson from the Norfolk-based group shares, “many enduring friendships have grown between people from diverse backgrounds and with little common experience other than a love of motorcycling.”

One member of BRIMBO confided, “Personally when a grey cloud is following me, after a club meeting or ride out, the sky is clear as is my mind. People are not meant to be solitary souls. The club is a great place for like-minded people with a common interest. I am thankful for being a club member and for the genuine friends I have made since joining.”

Those who aren’t looking to commit to a motorcycle club just yet might want to consider one-off or semi-regular events, rallies and meet-ups. Websites such as Biker Match and The Biker Guide regularly list events across the country and Facebook can be a great place to find out what’s going on in your area.

If the idea of a regular commitment is deterring you from joining a community group, Terry from Mayflower MCC highlights that membership is flexible. Members can attend events as and when it suits them, with around 80% of the club's members participating in at least one event each year.

Our research shows that the link between mental health, community, and a shared experience is undeniable. Motorcycle clubs are offering more than social outings, they provide a sense of belonging, purpose, and emotional support.

With rising loneliness and limited access to mental health services, organisations like Mental Health Motorbike are showing how simple connections can spark real change – support doesn’t always come from a therapist, it can come from the biker pulling up next to you.

Make sure you’re fully covered with a policy that suits your new bike. Whether it’s a motorcycle, scooter or moped, get a quote directly from Lexham to ride with confidence.

If you’re new to motorcycling, we have some resources to help you get started:

• Your questions answered: Beginner motorcycle rider FAQs
• FAQs on insuring your new bike for young and beginner riders

Those interested in getting involved with Mental Health Motorbike can visit the organisation’s events calendar to sign up for a 40-minute online introduction session. This will involve a presentation of what the charity does, explaining the volunteer roles available and ways to get involved as well as being open to any questions you may have.  Events are advertised on MHM’s social media accounts and www.mhmotorbike.com. 

(1) Search data was collected using Google Trends and Glimpse in November 2024. Volumes reflect monthly levels at the time the data was sourced. Increases in searches refer to the search volume of the same period prior. For example, yearly increases compare data from the last 12 months to the 12 months directly preceding this.

(2) AlsoAsked was used to collate the ‘also asked’ queries of those who searched either “community groups near me”, “motorcycle communities near me” or “where can I get support for mental health”.

(3) All interviews took place between September and November 2024. Clubs from each region within the UK, in addition to national groups, were invited to participate.