McGUINNESS
‘We need kids to save biking’
‘SMELL THE EXHAUST FUMES AND BURGERS’
Ilove going to motorcycle events. There’s always great stuff going on around the UK for people who ride bikes. It’s great to go and see the enthusiasm, the camaraderie of Britain’s biking community. I love a classic event, a modern event, races and you’ll catch me all over the place these days. I really like the Llan Bike Fest in Llangollen and I’ve been going there for years. There’s just so much to do and see there. But there are events for all tastes. You can have an amazing day out at BSB for £30 and watch some of the best racers we’ve got battle it out on some of the best tracks in the world.
I always like any kind of event where the kids and family can get involved. We need to get the next generation into and on to bikes as there’s definitely not as many young kids riding around these days.
I think society is a bit of a victim of its own success in a way. I used to come home from school hoping my Dad had finished reading MCN on a Wednesday so I could have it off him and find out what’s going on. There’d be stuff from a scramble, a trials meeting, a speedway match, but now you can find all that out within half-asecond on your phone. Maybe that stops people going out and getting into it properly as they can stay at home and watch it on the telly! I was desperate to get out with my Dad to events when I was young because it was never on TV. But it’s not the same as going to an event where you can smell the exhaust fumes and the greasy burgers.
You’ve got to introduce youngsters to bikes by taking them to a local event, bike night, scramble, trial, whatever and see what they say. It’s harder to get them on the road these days as tests are way too complicated and insurance is a nightmare. Also, you can’t do the things I used to do, like get up and go for a crazy ride at 5am as coppers are always watching! But we need to try to get the yoofs into it. They may have baggy jeans, with their pants on show, but they are the future of biking… whether you like it or not!