Dealers and anyone in industry-related businesses should spread the word that the Get On roadshow arrives in Farnborough, Hampshire, on 13 September.
The event offers anyone aged 15 or over the chance to try a motorcycle or scooter for the first time and is absolutely free.
Riders are offered a 30-minute session with a professional instructor, with all safety clothing provided, during which time they will be introduced to the gears, brakes, clutch and slow speed handling.
Sessions are between 9am and 5pm at the Farnborough Practical Driving Test Centre. Places can be booked via the website www.geton.co.uk or by calling the Get On team on 02476 408040.
Steve Kenward, CEO of the Motor Cycle Industry Association – which set up Get On five years ago to offer a programme of motorcycle taster sessions – says this is a great way for people to see if motorcycling is for them: “Riding is a bit like Marmite – you’ll either love it or hate it, but you’ll know fairly quickly which way it will go for you. When we surveyed over 4000 Get On riders, only 2.5% said they didn’t enjoy their Get On experience, so we are pretty confident that most people will want to do more.
“First and foremost motorcycling is fun but it is vital that people get their first taste of riding in a safe and structured environment, with advice about where to go for good training and what to wear. Get On does this very well”.
Get On is part of the association’s strategy to demonstrate the huge advantages of commuting via a motorcycle. According to European research, a slight modal shift towards motorcycles could help cut congestion for all road users. A study which modelled the traffic for one of the busiest roads in Europe found that when just 10% of drivers swapped to a motorcycle, scooter or moped then congestion was reduced by 40% for all road users. When 25% swapped, it was eliminated altogether.
Other Get On events in 2015 include British Touring Cars Championships, Silverstone, 26 and 27 September; and Motorcycle Live, NEC, Birmingham, 28 November to 6 December.