Phoenix Training wants to get more youngsters riding motorcycles

With fewer young people getting on to bikes than there were, say ten, or twenty years ago, the motorcycle industry in the UK needs to find a way to get more bums on seats.

And while it would normally fall to a group like the Motorcycle Industry Association (MCIA) to come up with such initiatives, on this occasion, it’s a motorcycle training school, and I’m all for it!

The school in question is Phoenix Training, a nationwide rider training company with more than 20 facilities the length and breadth of the UK. The team at Phoenix have come up with Try Ride, a cost-effective, safe and legal way of introducing a young person to riding a motorcycle on the road.

And you might be sitting there thinking, “What about the CBT, that’s only around £100?” That is true, but for youngsters who are perhaps a little nervous about getting out on two-wheels, that cost could be prohibitive, especially for the parents who will inevitably be paying for it.

At £40 for the entire course, the Try Ride initiative makes for a much more cost-effective introduction, while also giving new riders an extra bit of seat time before they take on the CBT. And for the first 300 people through the door, there’s an even sweeter deal to be had, as they will benefit on a £20 refund on the cost of the course should they complete both modules.

You may also like to read our article covering how to pass your CBT the first time.

How does Phoenix Training's Try Ride work

Before anyone even throws a leg over a bike, new riders are taken through two online modules designed by industry experts. Think of it as doing your homework before you get to the fun part.

The first, called View from the Saddle, has been put together by the National Young Rider Forum with funding from the Road Safety Trust. It’s a brand-new resource featuring 18 short hazard perception clips, each filmed from the point of view of a young rider. The idea is simple: spot 20 real-world hazards before they catch you out. Everything from dodgy drivers to tricky road conditions is in there, all designed to sharpen the eyes and brain before the hands and feet get involved.

The second online stop is Ridefree, a course cooked up by the DVSA and National Highways. This one goes back to basics, covering the Highway Code, kit choices, bike maintenance, and all the bits that make a rider safer and more confident. It’s flexible too: once you’re signed up, you can dip in and out of the modules at your own pace, whether you’re a crammer or a slow burner.

Only once those boxes are ticked do you get to the fun bit: actually riding a motorcycle. The practical element is run at one of Phoenix Motorcycle Training’s 21 centres dotted across the UK. There, a fully accredited instructor will guide learners through the experience, showing exactly what life on two wheels feels like in a safe and friendly environment.

To take part in the course, all you need is to be 16-24 years old, and hold a provisional licence. All the riding kit and safety equipment is provided for you if you don’t already have it.

Mark Jaffe, the owner and chief instructor of Phoenix Motorcycle Training, said:

“We are thrilled to roll out this exciting initiative, which has the potential to not only give hundreds of young people the chance to find their freedom on motorcycles, but also make them safer riders.

“At Phoenix we are all about the quality of training we provide, and making everyone as safe on the roads as possible – initiatives such as this are great opportunities to explore how we can all do that even better while introducing new people to the wonderful world of motorcycling.”

If you or a youngster you know would be interested in taking part, all the information they need is on the official website.

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