Motorbike and scooter sales have rocketed, according to dealers. And they predicts the increase in business is set to continue through the summer.

Top dealers said price cuts and people looking to cut commuting costs had played a large part in the sales spike.

Island Cycles cycles division manager Steve Holloway said: “We have definitely noticed an increase in May — it’s been the best month in a while. It all seems to be picking up.

“Last time we did 30 bikes in a month was three years ago, at least.”

Mr Holloway said May saw 30 bikes being sold — with a further seven ready for customers to collect, but which will be included in this month’s sales.

He added that his firm were currently offering $500 discounts on almost every model.

“It seems to be cost — everybody is reducing the price of their bikes,” he said, adding that Bermuda “seems to go in cycles” — and that large number of bikes were hitting the five to eight-year old mark and coming to the end of their useful life.

And he said the America’s Cup had made a small contribution to increased sales.

Mr Holloway added: “It hasn’t affected us very much, but we had sold a few to them.”

The news came after Government figures reported that bike sales had jumped more than a quarter.

Sales went up by more than 26 per cent in March, compared to the same period in 2014, although sales of cars and trucks fell.

Mr Holloway said: “The cost of travel and the expense of city parking may be a factor too.”

He has also noticed people were paying by debit card, rather than credit card, a reversal of recent trends.

“It looks like June will go the same way as May. Even the workshop is a lot busier — it’s not just sales.”

Eric Trott, of Oleander Cycles, which runs a retail and rental business, agreed with Mr Holloway. He said his firm had chosen to give free accessories with sales.

He added: “I also think that with the current economy, some people that have been out of work are now gainfully employed, which allows them to afford more essentials”

He said banks offering finance for new vehicle purchases had also helped sales.

“HSBC is also offering 100 per cent financing on both cars and bikes,” said Mr Trott.