Silverstone Mobility Roadshow 2016 – Getting Hands On With The Future Of Mobility

1st June 2016

For the first time in the event’s 33-year history, The Mobility Roadshow has delivered the opportunity for people living with disability to try the latest adaptive vehicles and products at the prestigious Silverstone Circuit (26-28th May).

Lamin Manneh, inspirational disabled war veteran, Invictus Games Double Bronze medallist and star of BBC TV’s DIY SOS opened The Mobility Roadshow. He welcomed international visitors of all ages to the impressive Silverstone Wing who were able to see, trial and compare the latest products and services for independent mobility. The event received widespread press coverage including live TV transmissions on the BBC 1 o’clock news, BBC regional news and the Victoria Derbyshire (46:45) programme.

The 2016 Roadshow incorporating Get Going Live! offered the unique opportunity to test drive an impressive range of adapted and wheelchair accessible vehicles around the iconic British Grand Prix circuit. There were over 40 different cars available to test-drive including latest models from BMW, Ford, Hyundai, Nissan, Suzuki and Vauxhall along with static displays in the Silverstone pit lane garages. This year’s event provided the largest range of adapted steering and secondary driving controls available today – no other show has ever delivered this remarkable choice to try and compare. The Get Going Live! feature provided young drivers from age 16 and those recently disabled with the chance to test drive vehicles and discover the latest advice for adapted driving.

In addition to free test drives, The Wing hosted a diverse ‘hands-on’ product showcase including the latest mobility scooters, wheelchairs, access ramps and aids for independent living. Gold show sponsors Autoadapt, Elap, Mobility Networks and Kivi, unveiled new products and as international companies they ensured the show had a global feel. Adding to the rich show experience available this year Let’s Play! hosted ‘come and try’ sessions for visitors interested in learning a new inclusive activity or sport.  Boccia, Tennis, Powerchair Football and Wheelchair Basketball were all available for visitors to try out for themselves.

Ann Frye, Chair of Mobility Choice, concludes: “The Mobility Roadshow has provided our visitors with a huge range of products and information – whether they came to test drive new vehicle options or just – as one visitor put it - “to try out stuff”. We are delighted with the number of people who visited the Show and with the range and quality of products and other mobility solutions offered by our wide range of exhibitors.”