Attendees of the world’s leading automotive trade show were treated to their very first experience riding a motorcycle through the Ride With Us Moto Intro program. The Motorcycle Industry Council's outreach program found a target rich environment at the SEMA Show, Nov. 1-4, at the Las Vegas Convention Center.
“Typically we will put through 150 participants at an event like the Overland Expo,” said Cinnamon Kernes, who leads the Motorcycle Industry Council’s Ride With Us program. "We had that many on the first morning of the show... and the quality of the participants moving from motorcycle curious to motorcycle enthusiast was phenomenal." SEMA’s training and scholarship programs brought in youthful, enthusiastic college-age kids, Kernes notes.
“Many SEMA Show exhibitors manufacture products for motorcycles, so it’s great to have the Motorcycle Industry Council be a part of the Show,” said Tom Gattuso, SEMA vice president of events. “The Ride With Us Moto Intro program is a great interactive feature anchoring the West Hall area.”
Ride With Us has traveled across the country, providing first-ride experiences to hundreds of participants, ages 16 and up. Motorcycle Safety Foundation-certified coaches help riders get geared up, then guide them on a motorcycle, at their own pace.
“We know a lot of people want to try motorcycling, but it can be hard to get the proper gear, then find someone to loan you a bike and show you the proper way to ride,” said Kernes, VP of market expansion at the MIC. “And some people aren’t ready to commit an entire weekend to a licensing class. But this experience only takes about 30 minutes, from gearing up to gearing down, so it’s the perfect way to see if it’s something you want to pursue.”
There was no cost for SEMA and AAPEX attendees, and Ride With Us was also free to the public who have SEMA Ignited Friday Experience tickets.
“We are really excited to bring this opportunity to SEMA,” concluded Kernes, “It’s no exaggeration to say that nearly all of our participants have rated this experience a 5-out-of-5, even those who decide motorcycling isn’t for them. It’s zero percent pressure, 100 percent fun, and we can’t wait for the thousands of automotive enthusiasts at SEMA to take their first spin.”