(BASED ON NEW DATA ANALYSIS)
- The safest cities and towns in the UK to travel in have been revealed (according to data analysis by motorcycle insurance brand Lexham Insurance)
- Of the UK’s cities, Northern Ireland’s capital BELFAST came out on top, followed by Scotland’s ABERDEEN in 2nd and Wales’ SWANSEA 3rd
- In England, York is the top city based on the data
- Among UK towns, the safest is TELFORD in Shropshire. That’s followed by IPSWICH in Suffolk and WARRINGTON in Cheshire
- It also surveyed road-users to uncover what makes them feel UNSAFE – from bad weather to road rage (60% feel afflicted by careless driving)
Of the UK’s cities, Belfast (Northern Ireland), Aberdeen (Scotland) and Swansea (Wales) topped the list. York is the safest city in England based on the findings.
Among towns, Telford in Shropshire, Ipswich in Suffolk and Warrington in Cheshire find themselves parked in the top three respectively.
The top 10 safest CITIES for motorists (based on data analysis)
- Belfast
- Aberdeen
- Swansea
- York
- Glasgow
- Dundee
- Liverpool
- Sheffield
- Norwich
- Peterborough
The top 10 safest TOWNS for motorists (based on data analysis)
- Telford
- Ipswich
- Warrington
- Poole
- Swindon
- Watford
- Northampton
- Middlesbrough
- Reading
- Luton
Each city and town was scored based on its local crime rate, light pollution levels (given the potential impact on visibility), congestion and number / proximity of police stations to reach a top 50.
It comes after a ‘safety survey’** by Lexham Insurance of 1,000 UK motorists showed how safe they REALLY feel on the roads.
Over three-quarters (79%) of motorists feel ‘safe’ – but some factors jeopardise this.
Car drivers are most unnerved by ‘careless driving or riding by others, e.g. tailgating’ (60%).
For motorbike, moped and scooter riders, it’s jointly ‘bad weather’ (51%) – where conditions such as heavy rain, snow and strong winds can feel more acute without the protection of a car – and ‘uneven road surfaces’ like pot holes (51%).
Potholes are a common road condition concern in the UK. The RAC reported potholes directly caused 25,758 recorded breakdowns in 2024–2025 – an 11% rise on the previous year.
Alisdair Wilson, motoring expert at Lexham Insurance, commented:
“Our research indicates there are clear barriers preventing motorists from fully relaxing into a journey. We can’t control the weather, but simply showing respect to others – especially in traffic, which can feel frustrating – will go a long way towards making UK roads feel safer.”
The findings around rider safety specifically are eye-opening. Of over 500 surveyed, nearly half (47%) said they OFTEN experience ‘verbal harassment or offensive gestures’, while 47% report being ‘cut up’ (e.g. on a roundabout) regularly.
That’s followed by ‘tailgating’ (39%) and ‘being blocked from filtering’ (37%) –where those on two wheels move past queues of stationary or slow-moving traffic.
Alisdair continued:
“Bikes filtering through the traffic may seem cheeky, but riders are legally entitled to do so. It’s actually safer than stopping behind vehicles, as other motorists are more likely to see them.
“Rule 160 of the Highway Code states that drivers must ‘be aware of other road users, especially cycles and motorcycles who may be filtering through the traffic’.
“If you’re unsure of any further obligations as a driver on the road, refresh yourself with the Highway Code. Motorcyclists should also be aware of proposed motorcycle license changes in 2026.”
Women’s International Motorcycle Association (WIMA)’s Julie Emmitt reinforced:
“Riders face unique vulnerabilities. We’re small and easily missed – in fact, we use the phrase ‘SMIDSY’ (‘Sorry Mate I Didn’t See You’) as we hear it so often by other motorists. Built-up areas bring additional concerns like theft risk and, in congestion especially, road rage from others – I feel this far more acutely on my motorbike than in the car.
“I urge two-wheeler motorists to consider their surroundings, both in terms of their own actions and those of the road users around them, to keep themselves as safe as possible”.
Lexham Insurance’s Rider Safety Index has the full list of the UK’s safest cities and towns, based on its data analysis and survey with motorists.
