Hollywood has always looked to two wheels to bring a little sexy glamour to a movie – think Lucy Liu and Pierce Brosnan handcuffed to a BMW R 1200C, Charlie’s Angels riding motocross, or Angelina Jolie as Lara Croft raiding tombs on a 664 CCM. But Britain’s romantic bikers would rather ride with their other half than movie megastars like Kate Winslet, Helen Mirren, Sean Bean or Antonio Banderas.

Asked to name who they would most like to take a fantasy ride with, twice as many bikers nominated their partners than Kylie, Star Wars’ Ewan McGregor, Valkyrie’s Tom Cruise or Bond’s Pierce Brosnan. One particularly lovelorn soul taking the Motor Cycle Industry Association (MCI) survey* nominated “Rachel from the office next door.”

On Valentine’s Day, the MCI recommends following in these bikers’ wheeltracks by bringing fun, freedom and excitement into your love life. Spurn those old romantic clichés - a candlelit dinner for two; flowers, champagne, chocolates, or lingerie – in favour of a gift which is guaranteed to get your other half home faster: a day’s motorcycling – complete with a compulsory basic training (CBT) certificate at the end of it. And if neither of you have ever tried motorcycling, why not do it together?

Doesn’t sound very sexy? A CBT course is huge fun, memorable, and gives a real sense of achievement. An intensive day with a qualified instructor takes novice riders through all the skills needed to control a small-engined motorcycle with skill, confidence and most importantly, safety. Divided into five sections, the CBT starts off-road and well away from traffic, building up to two hours of practical riding on the road, closely supervised by the instructor.

MCI’s Sheila Rainger said: “Chocolates make you fat and flowers give you hay fever, but a CBT certificate sets you free. Passing the CBT immediately entitles you to ride a small-engined motorcycle, scooter or moped, and opens the door to more advanced training, bigger machines, unrivalled independence and fun.

“It’s the first step to joining in with increasing numbers of people of both sexes and all ages who are cutting journey times, avoiding the expense and hassles of public transport and parking, reducing travel costs and commuting to work with a smile on their faces.”

Ends

Commuter motorcycling accounts for two-thirds of powered two-wheeler journeys and represents one of the cleanest forms of motorised transport for trips where walking, cycling and public transport are not viable. Motorcycles spend less time in traffic jams, whereas cars spend time with engines idling and air-conditioning running.

Powered two-wheelers move freely through traffic jams and as a result leave a smaller carbon footprint over a shorter period of time on any given urban journey.

In addition to the environmental benefits derived from avoiding traffic jams, the government has now confirmed that motorcycles and scooters are more eco friendly in terms of emissions than the average car.

The cost of a CBT course is around £100 and you can find your nearest trainer by going to the Motor Cycle Industry Association (MCI) web site at www.mcia.co.uk.

The MCIA is the UK trade association representing manufacturers and importers of mopeds, motorcycles and scooters, and the suppliers of associated goods and services. It has approximately 150 members representing about 90 per cent of the UK industry.

The motorcycle industry in the UK employs more than 15,000 people and turns over in excess of £3 billion a year.

There are over 1.26 million motorcycles in use in Britain traveling around 5.6 billion vehicle kilometers (DfT 2006).

For more information please contact Simon Small at the MCI Press Office on tel: 01622 812961 (S-Presso Ltd)