Over 3,500 bikers to take part in today's Bike4Life Ride Out
Today marks the return of the annual Bike4Life Ride Out and Festival, one of the UK’s largest and most celebrated two-wheeled spectacles.
Now in its 14th year, the massive event has taken on an even greater significance today. Coinciding with the 35th anniversary of the Midlands Air Ambulance Charity, organisers are confident that today's proceeds will officially push the event's all-time fundraising total past the landmark £1 million milestone.
The day kicks off at 8 am at the Meole Brace Park and Ride in Shrewsbury, where over 3,500 bikers and pillion riders gather in an impressive sea of leather, chrome, and high-visibility jackets. Eager spectators lined the starting grids and crowded onto overhead bridges along the A5 and M54 to watch the magnificent procession depart at 10.30 am.
Led by West Mercia Police, National Highways, and two lucky public competition winners, the massive convoy hit the fully closed road route along the A5 and M54. Flanking the front of the pack are a host of celebrity biking legends and VIPs, including World Superbike champion Carl Fogarty MBE, TV's Emergency Bikers Mark Hayes and Steve Harris, and Police Interceptors star Ben Pearson, as well as off-duty members of the Midlands Air Ambulance aircrew.
After an exhilarating 26-mile journey, the riders will arrive to a rapturous welcome at the stunning new festival home of Weston Park in Shifnal.
By midday, the historic estate will be transformed into a bustling hub of entertainment, drawing an estimated 12,000 visitors, including biking enthusiasts, families, and local supporters. The family-friendly festival, which runs until 4 pm today, features a vibrant mix of live rock bands, breathtaking stunt displays, artisan food stalls, and a massive trade zone showcasing the latest gear and gadgets. Children under 16 are enjoying free entry, making use of a dedicated kids' zone complete with a decommissioned helicopter pod.
While the atmosphere is undeniably celebratory, the core message of the day remains deeply rooted in road safety. Biker safety awareness is at the heart of the festival; on average, Midlands Air Ambulance crews are tasked to at least two urgent missions involving motorcyclists every single week. Because the service relies entirely on public donations to fund its daily helicopter and critical care car missions across six Midlands counties, every ticket purchased today directly helps save lives.
Emma Wood, head of fundraising and engagement for Midlands Air Ambulance Charity, added: “Each year, we receive incredible support from the biking community through our Bike4Life event, who raise significant funds to help us continue delivering advanced pre-hospital emergency care to patients across the region.”
Though pre-booked tickets for the official Ride Out portion sold out weeks ago, organisers have confirmed that festival tickets are still available to purchase at the Weston Park gates.
