Meet the Warrington woman breaking barriers in motorcycle training.
In Warrington, however, a family-run training school is offering a different experience. Led by DVSA-approved instructor Angela Davies, On Your Bike is helping learners build confidence at their own pace in a more supportive environment. Angela, who lives in Lymm with her partner Graham, has always loved motorbikes. “Motorcycling has been a passion of mine for as long as I can remember – it’s never just been something I do, it’s a huge part of who I am,” she said. After achieving her IAM Advanced Rider certification, she wanted to do more. She then qualified as a DVSA-approved instructor and started thinking about setting up something of her own, that reflected the way she believes training should be done. “With Graham’s support, I built On Your Bike from the ground up,” she said. “The whole idea was to create a school that puts the student first – no rushing people through to tick a box, no production-line feel. “Just patient, honest training, where people progress when they’re genuinely ready.” On Your Bike is unique as the school offers a personal approach. Students get one-to-one attention, and there’s no pressure. “I give honest advice because I want people to ride safely and confidently, not just to get their money and move them on,” Angela explained. As a female-led business in a male-dominated industry, Angela is able to offer an alternative perspective. “It's not just women either - we get a lot of men booking with us too because they feel a female instructor will be less intimidating,” she said. “That wasn't something I set out to make a headline of, but it clearly matters to people and I'm proud of it. “Saying that we are a team and the guys who work with us are calm and friendly too, so you don’t have to worry, you are always in safe hands.” On Your Bike provides everything learners need, including bikes, helmets with intercoms, and jackets. Angela finds her career incredibly rewarding, watching students grow in confidence and face their fears. “Watching someone go from nervous and uncertain to riding away with a big grin on their face - that never gets old,” she explained. “If I had to pick a moment that sums it up, it would be the students who came to us saying they'd been told they'd never manage it - maybe they'd tried elsewhere and not got on, or they just didn't believe they were a 'biker type’. “Seeing those people pass their CBT is something really special.” With more and more people turning to motorcycles as a practical, affordable way to get around, Angela is encouraging those who are nervous to take the first step to get in touch. “If you’re a woman who’s been put off by the idea of a male-dominated training environment, please come and talk to us,” she said. “You’ll be very welcome.”