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Scooter convoy escorts Mod-mad teen to school prom

Louise Fewsterin York
News imageRichard Fox/BBC In the foreground are four scooters - two silver, one dark blue and one cream coloured - turning into the entrance of York racecourse from a residential street. Three of the riders are wearing green fishtail parka coats and the other is wearing a brown and white striped long-sleeved shirt. Behind them can be seen a line of other scooters arriving along the street.Richard Fox/BBC
Scooter enthusiasts turned out in force to make sure Travis had a day to remember

A teenager with a passion for the Mod scene has been escorted to his school prom by dozens of scooter riders.

More than 100 scooters rode in convoy with 15-year-old Travis from his home in Acomb in York to the event at York Racecourse on Monday evening.

The ride-out was organised by his mother Charlotte, who said her son's passion for scooters and the Mod scene came from his grandparents.

Travis, a student at the Manor CE Academy in Nether Poppleton, said he really enjoyed what he described as an "impressive gathering".

News imageBBC/Louise Fewster Three moped scooters going round a corner. The first scooter is red and gold and being ridden by a man wearing a green jacket and a black helmet with a teenage boy wearing a dark purple suit and a silver helmet sitting on the back. Behind are two scooters - one white and one blue and white - being ridden by men wearing dark green jackets and blue jeans and helmets.BBC/Louise Fewster
Travis travelled in style to his prom on the back of a scooter at the head of the convoy

Travis's passion for Mod culture, including Vespa and Lambretta scooters and the music and styles of the 1960s, can be seen in posters on the walls of his bedroom.

"I would say every era is quite iconic," he said. "But I would say the 60s is one of the most iconic ones.

"You do not just have the Mods purely in the 60s. They did also go up to the 80s and they are still present today."

Travis has recently built his own scooter and enrolled on a motor mechanic programme.

He is also preparing to take his compulsory basic training motorbike test, booked on the same day as his 16th birthday.

News imageBBC/Louise Fewster Teenage boy with brown hair going over his ears is wearing a green parka jacket with a cream edge on the hood. Travis is stood in front of a white bedroom door with The Beatles posters on the wall to the left and right of him. Behind Travis is a colour photo of a yellow submarine featured on one of The Beatles albums. BBC/Louise Fewster
Travis's passion for Mod culture and other music of the 1960s came from his grandparents

Charlotte said she started to plan the ride after Travis was diagnosed with autism in February this year.

After putting a message on social media, Charlotte said lots of people came forward saying they would like to join the ride.

"I did not expect it to gain the traction it did," she said.

"Travis is super excited to see all the scooters really because he loves his scooter rallies."

His grandfather and two of his friends had been due to drop him off at the school event, but Travis said having so many scooters turn up would "definitely be the talk of the prom".

Scooter convoy escorts York teen to prom

He was joined by bikers from Supergood Bikers for Autism, which offers support through their ride-outs across Yorkshire, raising money for neurodivergent bikers.

Founder Paul Brackstone said he was glad to help Travis make an entrance.

"I hope he is not too embarrassed," he said.

Charlotte, who joined the escort in a side car, said she could not believe the turnout and that "this is a prom for him to remember".

"It is so heartwarming," she said.

"For everyone to come together it was so lovely. It was so breathtaking".

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