Here’s a life hack that can get you into motorcycling, make you a safer rider, and save you money – it’s a no-brainer, right?!?
This is a good time to be a 16–24-year-old just about to get into motorcycling. Why? Well, the new Try Ride initiative from the National Young Rider Forum (NYRF) and Phoenix Motorcycle Training is launching this August to encourage young people to try motorcycling by providing 300 lucky participants their first motorcycling experience at half price before they even commit to CBT.
The idea is to make the transition into motorcycling less scary and stressful, and to make first-time riders more skilled and safer on the roads. So, if you are that young person wanting to have a go at riding motorcycles, or you have someone like that in your family, read on to find out how to make that happen.
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What’s a Try Ride?
Try Rides are aimed at young first-time riders yet to do their CBT. They include both online and practical elements: the learners will first complete two online modules developed by leading industry experts before getting into the saddle for a riding experience.
The first online module, View from the Saddle, is a brand-new resource developed by the NYRF with Esitu, thanks to funding from the Road Safety Trust. It’s a set of 18 short hazard perception/hazard prediction films, depicting 20 new hazards for would-be motorcyclists to spot. These are real hazards, filmed from the perspective of a young motorcyclist, that can lead to dangerous situations.
The second module completed online, Ridefree, is a course for moped and motorcycle riders developed by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency and National Highways. It covers topics such as the Highway Code, protective kit, bike maintenance and other useful topics for those new to biking. Once the learner has registered, the module can be completed in sections, enabling riders to come back and finish it in a timescale that suits their needs.
Once the online modules have been completed, it’s time for the practical experience to see what it’s really like to ride a motorcycle. This will take place with a fully accredited, friendly instructor at one of the 21 Phoenix Motorcycle Training centres across the country.
For full details of the Try Ride scheme, visit the NYRF website at: www.newriderhub.net
Show me the money!
Here’s how the whole thing makes financial sense, too. Try Ride experiences typically cost £40, but those who take part in this initiative and complete both the online and practical sessions will be refunded £20 of that price.
The money-back offer is available from 1 August, 2025, but there are only 300 places available under the Try Ride initiative.
Because the Try Rides are delivered by the UK’s largest motorcycle training organisation, Phoenix Motorcycle Training, there are plenty of places around the country where you can take part. For a full list of participating Phoenix Motorcycle Training locations, visit phoenixmotorcycletraining.co.uk
What’s the catch?
There isn’t one. Not really. The aim of the Try Ride scheme is to explore whether those who complete the course are more competent and safer riders when they progress to their CBT. The results could help to inform future policy around licensing regulations and make our roads safer for everyone.
Heidi Duffy MBE, facilitator of the NYRF, said: “Motorcycling is a lifeline for many young people, offering them freedom without the expense of learning to drive and buying a car.
“Taking the CBT gives new riders a good grounding in the basic skills and knowledge to ride a motorcycle safely. This initiative seeks to enhance the existing syllabus by introducing new riders to two excellent e-learning modules, Ridefree and View from the Saddle.
“We hope that these modules, combined with giving young people their first riding experience in a safe environment, will lead to increasing numbers choosing motorcycling as a transport choice.”
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.”
How to sign up for a Try Ride
To sign up for a Try Ride, all you need is to be 16-24 years old and open to the freedom, possibilities and fun that riding motorcycles can bring.
If that sounds like you, or someone you know, you can book your place through Phoenix Motorcycle Training:
Web: https://phoenixmotorcycletraining.co.uk/
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: 0330 2235787
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National Young Rider Forum
The National Young Rider Forum (NYRF) is a group of road safety professionals joining their expertise to specifically look at young motorcyclists. The forum members include representatives from local Authority Road Safety Teams, Safer Roads Partnerships, Motorcycle Industries Association (MCIA), Motorcycle Action Group (MAG), Police forces, Fire and Rescue and the DVSA.For further information about the Try Ride scheme, visit the NYRF website www.newriderhub.net
