Learning to pass your bike test is a stressful job, as RideTo founder James Beddows discovered when he set out to get his licence back in 2016. But rather than just tut, whinge and complain to his mates in chat rooms online about it, Beddows set out to help those coming after him. He set up the RideTo website as a resource hub for training, later expanding it to include kit guides, bike reviews, insurance information and – of course – loads of practical knowledge and tips on taking and passing your test. The site also works with training schools, offering commercial partnerships to drive business to the school and the RideTo operation.
The website has been a big hit, and Beddows’ work has now been recognised by Triumph Motorcycles. The Hinckley firm has inked a two-year partnership deal with RideTo that aims to encourage more people to pass their full bike test, educate new riders, and promote motorcycling in general.
Triumph is promoting the partnership alongside its Ticket to Ride campaign, which offers new riders £500 towards one of its novice-friendly 660 Trident or Tiger models if they purchase the bike within a year of taking their test. RideTo is working with Triumph to collaborate on a range of new informative content, focusing on bike reviews, insurance advice, best-buy protective riding gear, security, and even basic maintenance tips.
Much of the work is online – but the first major job came in proper print format: the RideTo New Rider Journal, released earlier this summer. It’s a smart hardback-sized 120-page book, with quality printing on premium paper, and is packed with useful info. And it’s not just for novices: even the old hacks at BDN Towers found plenty of nuggets of info within, including some wisdom from BDN contributor Alan Dowds.
Founder of RideTo, James Beddows, said: “We’re thrilled to have Triumph supporting our efforts to get more riders on two wheels. We’ve been quietly building a large audience and customer base over the last seven years, and this partnership marks a pivotal point as we look to take our platform and services to a wider net of new riders. Everyone should get a chance to try motorcycling, whether on a scooter for commuting or a big bike for fun. Teaming up with Triumph, we hope to inspire more people to see it that way too.”
Triumph UK general manager, Devron Boulton added: “At Triumph, we are fully committed to attracting the next generation of riders and encouraging the many benefits that riding a motorcycle can offer. Recognising that the journey from first ride to fully qualified can be daunting for people, we are keen to help overcome some of the barriers faced by new riders seeking to join our passionate community.
“Luckily, platforms like RideTo provide an inclusive and welcoming environment for those eager to get into motorcycling, so this partnership was a no-brainer for us.”
www.rideto.com