Local motorcyclist, Will Hopkins, will use a Slow Riding Skills event to launch mentoring programme ‘Moto Mates’, on Sunday, June 10th at the Arle Court Park and Ride car park, Cheltenham.

New riders fresh to motorcycling are invited to join Hopkins and a team of experienced mentors to refresh and master their slow-speed riding skills.

Moto Mates offers practical mentoring to increase the skills, confidence, and thus safety, of riders fresh to motorcycling. Admission is free and all riders are invited, whether they ride 50cc scooters on L plates, or large sports bikes. An event briefing will begin at 9:15am sharp, followed by a short initial session to refresh riders on the three critical techniques needed to master low-speed riding. Afterward, a series of tutor-led cone obstacle courses will replicate real-life riding situations incorporating a braking exercise and a slow race.

Hopkins, a motorcyclist for 10 years, created the project after being approached by several riders seeking practical riding-safety advice. “I take rider safety very personally,” said Hopkins.

“It is a sad fact that fresh riders, such as those who have recently taken Compulsory Basic Training, passed their test or are returning to riding after a long break, suffer a substantially higher risk of being killed or suffering serious injury. The risk of injury and death are especially high on the country roads in my ‘riding backyard’ in Herefordshire /Gloucestershire and along the Welsh border.”

The launch event is being run in conjunction with RoSPA’s Gloucestershire group of advanced drivers and riders. For more information visit www.motomates.co.uk or check out Moto Mates on their Facebook at

www.facebook.com/MotoMates or follow them on Twitter at @MotoMates.