A survey analysing the value of the UK motorcycle industry has revealed that the sport and leisure sector has a total turnover of almost £500 million. 

The GVA is estimated to be approximately 50% of turnover at £238 million, while the sector also provides tax contributions of almost £100 million proving a valuable asset to UK PLC. The motorcycle sport and leisure sector covers a wide range of activities enjoyed by, and involving the participation of, large numbers of motorcyclists and non-riders alike.

Motorcycle activities taking place in the UK are extensive and the largest events include: the British MotoGP; the UK round of the World Superbikes Championship; the 12 round British Superbikes Championship which takes place at tracks across the UK; and the Isle of Man TT Races.

The off-road racing sector is on a smaller scale but still attract many riders, support teams and spectators on a regular basis across the UK. Off-road activities include: motocross, enduro, trials, speedway, grasstrack, supercross, and supermoto events.

The British round of the Moto GP is well attended and attracts international visitors. At a recent Moto GP for example, there were almost 120,000 visitors over the whole weekend and the gross expenditure associated with the event totalled £16.6 million of which 88% was spend within 25 miles of Donnington Park, where the event was held.

The motorcycle leisure industry analysis focuses on the income generated from organised tour activities. The activities of motorcycle tour operators involve the provision of organised tours both within the UK and, more commonly, to overseas destinations.  The sector is dominated by a large number of small and family businesses, many of which employ additional riders on a part-time basis to provide support during the tours.  The tour providers offer a range of services to motorcyclists including expedition guides and support teams, bike hire/freight, hotels and bed and breakfast accommodation, food and drink, etc.

The sector is experiencing significant levels of growth and many motorcyclists are reported to have been inspired by the Long Way Round and Long Way Down television series, which involved substantial motorcycle tours across Europe, Asia, America and Africa.

Steve Kenward, MCI's CEO commented on the findings " The motorcycle sport and leisure sector involves riders and non-riders and there are plenty of opportunities for UK businesses to capitalize on the bike pound. Now , is the best time of year to be out and about enjoying life on two-wheels and for the spectators and pillion riders who want to take control of their own machines , now is a good time to consider shifting up a gear. Take advantage of the free one-hour taster sessions that are taking place at venues all across the country by simply going online and making a booking at a time that suits you."

For more information or to book a place go to www.geton.co.uk

Retired farmer Frank Pottenger can boast almost as many nuts, bolts and metal plates in his body as his classic motorcycle – one of only three ever built.

While most 79-year-old pensioners might be content with a sedate retirement, Frank is still riding his Triumph Daytona 500cc motocross bike, built by legendary motorcycle rider and engineer the late Eric Cheney.

“I’ve had a long career on motorcycles and must have broken every single bone in my body at some time or other and have metal plates and screws all over the place!” said Frank, of Froncysyllte.

The Triumph Daytona, built for him by Cheney 28-years ago and one of only three of its type, is in absolute pristine condition and will be one of the stars on display at the Llangollen Motorcycle Show at the Royal International Pavilion on August 7th and 8th. Frank, whose son Gary and grandsons Ross and Ryan have now taken over the competitive duties, still gives riding demonstrations at shows, sometimes alongside former Triumph works rider John Giles – who is 83!

Cheney, who died aged 76 in 2002, was a legend in the motorcycle racing world and all top British enduro riders used his machines and even film star Steve McQueen.

“I started riding in 1953 and I’m still riding,” said Frank. “The youngsters cannot believe I can still chuck a 500cc about.”

In his heyday Frank was Salop scramble champion and was a regular competitor, picking up quite a few other titles.

“My brother-in-law bought a Cheney Triumph and I rang Eric and asked if he had enough bits left to build me one. He rang back and said ‘yes’. It had nine inches travel on front and back suspension,” said Frank who can remember starting his scrambling on a rigid BSA which had no suspension.

His brother-in-law’s machine was sold on and has disappeared, as has the third model built by Cheney which went onto the Continent. Frank paid £1,200 for his bike 28 years ago and with all the bits chromed and nickel plated – “almost too nice to ride” – he estimates it is worth anything between £4,500 and £5,000 today, although he would never sell it.

In fact he used to make enough winnings in a year to buy a new bike every year. “In theory I could but I spent it mainly on women!” said Frank.

These days Frank lives on top of the hill in Froncysyllte in a beautiful home he built out of a pigsty and runs a business renting out classic Jaguar wedding cars. He has two of the Mark II (Inspector Morse) Jags, two Mark IX’s (9’s) and some XJS convertibles, which will also be on display at the Llangollen show.

At this year’s show, the third staged by Xuberance Events, there will be a special award,   given in memory of well-known and popular Llangollen motorcyclist Victor Jones, who died recently, aged just 59.

Victor, of Pengwern, who used to ride a classic 1964 Matchless 650cc and was a huge fan of classic bikes, gave up his job in the building industry to care for his brother Frank when he started to suffer from impaired vision.

At Victor’s funeral, about 30 motorcycles provided a biker escort for the cortege to Pentre Bychan crematorium which was packed out with more than 300 mourners, many of them biker friends.

Organiser David Green explained: “Victor’s bike was the first bike to arrive at the first ever Motorbike Show and I thought it would be a fitting tribute to honour his memory in this way.”

One of the highlights of this year’s event will be the popular Biker Babe competition and biker fans can vote for their favourite on the event’s website,  www.themotorcycleshow.co.uk and it’s not yet too late for aspiring biker babes to enter.

Among the displays at the show will be beautiful old bikes from the collection of Llangollen Motor Museum proprietor Gwilym Owen.

There’ll also be motorbike displays, expert advice clinics, a club corner, a live action arena as well as a custom bike show.

Motor cycling legend Carl Fogarty will be roaring into North Wales next month - and is looking forward to meeting a local hero.

Four times World Superbike Champion, multiple TT winner and arguably Britain's best ever motor cycle racer, Carl Fogarty MBE, is the star attraction at the Motorbike Show in Llangollen.

The increasingly popular bike fest, organised by Xuberance Events, is being held at the Royal International Pavilion on Saturday and Sunday, August 7 and 8.

The Motor Cycle Industry Association (MCI) is today promoting new Parliamentary activity to gain support for the range of 'Wheels To Work' projects in the UK.

The MCI is currently lobbying for Government to provide support for national and regional schemes,which are seeking routes to public and private sector funding. MCI is also calling for the creation of a National Coordinator's post to develop the valuable scheme Wheels to Work, which can work with local programmes to help them secure the support that they need.

Stephen Pound MP has, this week, tabled the Parliamentary 'Early Day Motion; an MPs petition calling on Government to support Wheels To Work. The MCI would urge everyone who supports Wheels to Work to ask their MP to sign the EDM.

'Wheels to Work' is a term used to describe schemes which provide transport to individuals who are unable to access training, employment or education, due to a lack of suitable public or private transport. Solutions offered can include loan of scooters, mopeds, power assisted bikes or bicycles and in some cases assistance with meeting car running costs.

Given the proposed level of public expenditure cutbacks both nationally and locally, it is more important than ever for Wheels to Work to be offered support by Government. This is because the investment involved will be more than returned by young people being in work and contributing to the economy, rather than sitting idle and claiming benefits.

There are now over 40 national schemes across the UK and it is possible to find the local schemes by searching on the website which features a regionalized map www.wheels2work.co.uk/nationalschemes

Wheels to Work or Wheels to Learning schemes (W2W) can be particularly important for people living in isolated rural communities where public transport is inadequate or only available during business hours. It is widely accepted that a lack of viable transport can have a negative effect on opportunities for training, education and employment, particularly for young people and those living in rural areas.

Individuals who have taken part in Wheels to Work have commented on how empowering the scheme has been, how it has opened doors that would have previously been closed and how training has enhanced their career prospects.

Steve Kenward CEO for the MCI commented, " Motorcycles and scooters are a convenient and practical form of transport that can help to reduce social exclusion for many groups of people including young people and especially those that live in areas where there is limited public transport.

"Wheels to Work is an incredible scheme that is enabling young people to access employment and college and also introducing them to the fun and freedom of a powered two-wheeler for a very reasonable cost. We call on Government to realise that Wheels to Work is an investment which can bring immediate returns and should form a part of any strategy which aims to reduce welfare and benefit dependency.