UK Motorcycle Show
After a thrilling opening weekend of race stars and shiny new bikes, Carole Nash Motorcycle Live opened its doors on the third day to a queue of eager visitors.
The snow did nothing to deter the fans and their families as they flooded into The NEC, Birmingham for another day of motorcycle madness at Carole Nash.
This year’s Carole Nash Motorcycle Live event is aimed at encouraging people of all ages and all levels of motorcycle experience to get involved – and today it was apparent just how much this has been achieved. While licensed riders took part in the Yamaha Off Road Experience, two-wheel novices were zipping around the Get On Arena and kids got their first taste of bikes at My First Honda License.
Singer Simon Webbe, classical boyband Blake and TV presenter Sarah Cawood made a special appearance in the Get On Arena, where novice riders over 16 can try a free taster session on a scooter or motorcycle in complete privacy and safety.
Simon and the boys from Blake are now fully-fledged bikers after completing their motorcycle tests with the industry-backed Get On campaign, while Sarah is just starting out.
Sarah Cawood says: “The instructors here are lovely. They really talked me through it and because they’re not nervous, that rubbed off on me and I wasn’t nervous. I really felt like I was in good, safe hands. This time next year I’ll be riding a Harley!”
“It’s not just the adults that can get a taster of life on two wheels. At My First Honda License, kids as young as five were riding mini motorcycles under the watchful eye of qualified instructors. Aspiring young riders will even receive their very own printed mock-up license.”
Fiona Cole (of Honda) says: “This gives kids between five and 11 the chance to experience two wheels for the first time. Some of these children have never been on a bike before, but by the time they finish they are beaming from ear to ear. They are not only learning about motorcycling but also about road awareness and safety, which is really important.”
Having tackled the tarmac, kids and teenagers can move on to the Suzuki Off-Road Experience, getting down and dirty on the 50m x 10m inflatable lined dirt track.
Finlay McAllan (Managing Director of Event organizers, MCI Exhibitions) says: “This year we really wanted to push the message that the Event is for everyone – all ages, all levels, bike fans, new riders and families. To walk around the event and see people of all ages and experience getting involved is simply wonderful.”
Carole Nash Motorcycle Live runs until 5 December 2010. Tickets are £17 ($26) for adults, £10 ($16) for Seniors, £5 ($8) for children aged 11-16 and kids under 10 go free. All riding experiences are free. The Ramp’d Up Freestyle Motocross Arena is £5 ($8) per adult and £2.50 ($4) for children 5 – 16.
