A man with 43 previous convictions has been sentenced to jail for 12 months after being caught riding a motorcycle without bike insurance.

The man, aged 25, from Dublin, Ireland, was previously given a seven year prison sentence for the possession of €23,500 worth of drugs which he intended to sell near a Dublin city centre.

However, whilst on bail, the man was caught riding a bike without a helmet.

Police later found that the vehicle had no tax disk and was in fact stolen in February the previous year.

In Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, the man admitted taking the bike without permission, driving without a licence, without bike insurance, and driving without a crash helmet.

It was stated that the man had 43 previous convictions with a majority regarding road traffic offences.

Meanwhile, the Motorcycle Industry Association (MCI) is urging commuters to opt for the two wheelers instead of four if motorists want to reduce their expenses.

According to a survey by the MCI, 24 per cent of people are opting for bikes claiming it is a cheap option.

A spokesperson for the MCI, Sheila Rainger, said: "This research lifts the lid on one of biking’s best-kept secrets – two wheeled commuters aren’t just saving time, they are saving money too."