Steven Higgins 1962 – 2026 | TRIALS GURU

We are saddened to announce the passing of Lancashire trials rider Steven ‘Steve’ Higgins, aged 64, on Wednesday 30th September 2026.

Born and raised in Wiswell near Clitheroe in the Ribble Valley in August 1962, Steven latterly competed in trials organised by the Darwen, Bolton, and later Red Rose motorcycle clubs.

David Higgins (Left) on his Yamaha TY80 with older brother Steve on his Montesa Cota 247.

Steven started out working for his late father’s Broadfield Garage at Oswaldtwistle, thereafter working as an HGV class 1 driver. This progressed to becoming a car repairer and paint sprayer. In later life he was involved in bar code system supplies.

It was at school, when attending Clitheroe Grammar School, that he met Janet Parkinson on the school bus, they lived within a mile of each other. This romance flourished and they married in August 1984.

Steven Higgins aboard his 250cc Suzuki, winner of the 1977 Don Smith Trials School, Supertest event.

Steven became interested in trials at an early age and he was competent enough to win the Don Smith /Motor Cycle News Trials School in 1977 when he was fifteen years of age. This comprised of trials schools run across the UK by former European Trials Champion, Don Smith with a ‘Supertest ’77’ at the end of the series which the winner would be presented with a brand new trials machine and in true Don Smith style, a splash of publicity.

Steven Higgins astride his prize, a brand new Beamish Suzuki in 1977, younger brother, David Higgins up high with Don Smith (right) and Brian Fowler of Beamish Suzuki (second right)

This took place at the Market Harborough club’s venue at Desborough, Northants on December 19^th, 1977. There was a tie on 58 marks each, settled by most cleans, between Glen Scholey from Grassington, North Yorkshire who rode a 250 Gollner Kawasaki and Steven Higgins.

Steven Higgins’ Don Smith Trials School winner’s certificate from 1977

Steven was declared the winner of the event, so his prize was a new trials bike of his choice, which was a brand new 250cc Beamish Suzuki, presented by their Sales Manager, Brian Fowler.

Steven Higgins aboard the Beamish Suzuki that he won with the Don Smith/Motor Cycle News Supertest’77.

Steven took up trials again after a long lay off and bought a 1980 Fantic 156 which he rode in Red Rose events with some success. Very recently he purchased a Beta Evo to take part in modern trials and was renovating this machine at the time of his death.

Trials Guru conveys our sincere condolences to his widow, Janet and his family. It was Steven’s wish for a direct cremation.