The youth speaks out

Dear MCM, Many motorcyclists mention to me that there is not enough coverage about young bikers, or as we’re often referred to – ‘the next generation’. I just wanted to write in to let everyone that doubts it knows that we are out there.

I’ma 21-year-old university student who has been riding for four years. I was lucky enough to grow up around motorbikes so it is something I am truly passionate about. I get out on my motorbike as often as possible, including touring around the country and even hopping over to France for the experience of riding on the ‘wrong side of the road’.

When I go to motorbike rallies there is a significant lack of younger people who ride. I’m lucky enough to know a group of younger motorcyclists who I have grown up. However, in 2013, I joined Shropshire and Powys Advanced Riders group which is a spin off of RoSPA. They encourage younger riders to take safer riding training, by even offering a Young Riders Scheme which reduces the fees it takes to take the RoSPA advanced test and enters them into a prize draw to win a track day.

Even with this scheme there are very few of us, but through the years I have come into contact with several people who have achieved their Advanced Rider Certificate; I passed with a Silver grade in 2014.

So I just wanted to highlight the fact that although we are rare there are young riders still out there and we are just as passionate as everyone else to get more of us involved. If anyone knows younger people who are interested in riding encourage them as much as possible. I knowit has got harder to get a bike licence but it is 100% worth it.