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| 01 Oct 2009 07:41:58 pm |
 New Motorcycle Testing Regime a Disaster say BMF |
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In its detailed submission of evidence to the Transport Select Committee on the introduction of the new European motorcycle test, the British Motorcyclists Federation say that with fewer people now taking their test than at any time in the past five years, the Driving Standards Agency’s (DSA’s) interpretation and implementation of the test Directive has been a disaster for British motorcycling
With training schools reporting downturns in business and income dropping by a third* (and winter still to come), many businesses will probably not survive the additional seasonal drop in business, trained professionals will find themselves unemployed and many of these small businesses will go to the wall say the BMF.
The inadequate provision of the new Multi-Purpose Test Centres (MPTCs) now required for testing has also meant that even if they fail their test, some trainees literally face a 220 mile round trip for a Module One motorcycle test. Riding such distances when a rider is deemed not up to standard makes a mockery of the test say the BMF.
The test’s content also comes in for criticism from the BMF because of the way that the DSA have implemented the swerve and brake manoeuvres as a swerve and then a controlled stop as one manoeuvre.
The BMF point out that the directive does not specify that these manoeuvres have to be tested as one manoeuvre, simply that an obstacle has to be avoided at 50kph and braking should be from 50kph. By combining braking and swerving the DSA have exceeded the EU Directive’s requirements and made it a more difficult and hazardous manoeuvre, so much so that several learners have crashed trying to complete the sequence.
The DSA also decided to introduce specific distances and dimensions for the manoeuvre whereas the directive does not specify any minimum elements, except for that of speed.
On the speed issue, the BMF maintains that not enough was done by the UK government to allow a derogation. Sticking rigidly to a 50 kph speed requirement (31 mph UK equivalent) means that the braking test can no longer be carried out on UK roads as UK speed limits would be exceeded. A derogation allowing braking from 30 mph (48 kph) would have meant that many of the manoeuvres now requiring special areas could have been part of the on-road test. The BMF also point out that the motorcycle test now includes at least four low speed manoeuvres as opposed to the two mandated by the Directive.
The BMF are also critical of a system whereby DSA examiners make no allowances for low-powered machines struggling to reach the required speed in the distance specified, or for any adverse weather conditions. Manoeuvring areas are rigidly adhered to even though advice on riding and driving in adverse weather conditions recommends allowing a greater stopping distance say the BMF. (NB: Prior to the new test, emergency braking tests conducted on UK roads had no specific stopping distance).
Extra test requirements, such as that of executing a figure of eight manoeuvre, are of dubious benefit say the BMF, as they take valuable training time away from learning how to interact with traffic.
On the provision of the MPTCs now required for this gold-plated procedure, the BMF reiterate that it has always maintained that provision would be inadequate.
As examples, the BMF point out that if a learner from say the small town of Portree in Scotland needed to take their test, the nearest centre is 110 miles away in Inverness, a round-trip of some 220 miles! In Wales someone from Aberystwyth would need to ride 70 miles to Swansea or in Cumbria, a learner from Kendal would face a 55 mile ride to Blackburn. If on the other hand, they were to be learner car drivers, all of them could take a car test in their home town!
Commenting, the BMF’s Government Relations Executive Chris Hodder said:
“The BMF have been campaigning on this issue for eight years and it appears that everything we have said has come true. What does it take for the DSA to wake up and admit they were wrong? The situation now facing motorcycling is a dire one and I foresee many young people in remote areas resorting to illegal riding or perpetual learning as the norm.”
The terms of reference for the Select Committee inquiry can be found at: http://www.parliament.uk/parliamentary_committees/transport_committee/transpn090727nem.cfm
The 2nd Directive text can be found at:
http://europa.eu/eur-lex/en/consleg/pdf/1991/en_1991L0439_do_001.pdf
Note: According to the Motorcycle Industry Association, in November 2008 motorcycle registrations were down16% on the previous November. In February 2009, they were down 25% on the previous February and by August, they were down 30.5% on last year with the smaller ‘learner’ classes being hit hardest. |
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By : admin
| Category : Motorcycle Training |  Comments [2] |  Trackbacks [0]
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| 14 Sep 2009 09:18:02 pm |
| Get Greener on Two Wheels in European Mobility Week |
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Riders can do their bit for greener travel and healthier cities by getting their leg over daily, according to the Motor Cycle Industry Association at the start of European Mobility Week. During the week, people across Europe come together to tackle the increase in pollution and related problems associated with transport in towns and cities. ‘ In Town Without My Car, ’ taking place on the 22nd September, is the perfect opportunity for riders of bikes and scooters to demonstrate how powered two wheelers (PTWs) can help in the battle for less congested roads and reduced pollution.
The green advantages of motorcycles, mopeds and scooters are clear. On CO2 emissions, the PTW fleet as a whole (at 110g/km) has already bettered the new EU targets for cars. (120g/km, to be met by 2012)(1). PTWs don't get stuck in queues, and so don't stand in traffic jams with their engines idling, which means that total Co2 emitted will always be lower for any given journey. PTWs also take on average only half as long as a car to do a similar journey in town, and take up less space when parked.
The MCI is calling for actions and events which promote sustainable transport to recognise that in reality, walking and cycling are not always the most practical alternative to a car journey, particularly for everyday commuting and business travel. The MCI's analysis of the National Travel Survey has shown that:-
· the average commute is 8.7 miles/27 minutes
· the average business trip is 19.4 miles/38 minutes
· the average bicycle trip is 2.6 miles/20.3 minutes
· the average motorcycle trip is 9.75 miles in 23 minutes
An average commute of almost 9 miles is over three times as long as the average bicycle ride - but the same trip would be a comfortable journey by P2W.
This campaign that encourages sustainable travel modes must also take a realistic view of people's travel habits. The NTS analysis also revealed that one quarter of participants said they never walked for 20 minutes, and that seventy percent of people surveyed rode a bicycle less than once a year. For these people, the PTW can be the perfect halfway house between car travel and bicycling, offering personal, flexible travel at a lower environmental cost than the car, while being a more achievable alternative than walking or cycling.
MCI Spokesperson, Sheila Rainger commented, “Events like European Mobility Week must not let the best be the enemy of the good. PTWs are cleaner than cars, take up less space on our congestion urban roads, and can comfortably handle journeys that would be a daunting distance for novice bicyclists.
“60% of cars on the road have only one occupant. Around 80% of car commuters are travelling solo. If even a small proportion of these switched to P2Ws, rush hours would be less congested, and no additional burden would be placed on public transport systems already bursting at the seams.
“Motorbikes, mopeds and scooters offer a practical, cost-effective alternative to the car for those who can't or won't cycle or walk. Choosing a PTW won’t add to the pressures onto the public transport system, will help to reduce congestion and also offers clear environmental benefits. Now's the time for everyone who is serious about promoting sustainable travel to recognise the PTW as part of the solution.”
For more information about the event go to www.mobilityweek.eu or to find out more about getting on two wheels check out www.geton.co.uk. |
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By : admin
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| 07 Sep 2009 06:15:38 pm |
| Motorcycle Market Shrinks in August |
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7,020 new powered two wheelers (PTWs) were registered in August 2009, bringing the total for the first eight months of the year to 79,897. This is an 18.2 per cent fall on 2008 according to the latest figures from the Motor Cycle Industry Association (MCI), and a fall of 30.5 per cent on August 2008.
The Touring, Sport Tour and Naked styles recorded the strongest performances this month, suggesting continued demand for everyday, practical bikes.
August Supersports registrations fell 37.8 per cent, to 990 registrations. However, the stronger year-to-date performance of a 14.3 per cent fall suggests that this month's change may be attributable to buyers waiting until 1 September for the most up-to-date registration plates.
Larger capacity bikes are continuing to show more resilience than smaller machines. Registrations of mopeds fell by 39.8 per cent in August 2009 compared to August 2008, while registrations of bikes with engine sizes greater than 1000cc fell by only 13 per cent.
The performance of learner-friendly machines remains strong. In five of the eight style categories - custom, naked, scooter, supersport and trail/enduro - the best-selling bike was a 125cc model. The best selling bike in August out of all styles was Yamaha's YZF R125.
This evidence for the continued importance of practical motorcycling is also supported by the latest figures from the Department for Transport's National Travel Survey, which show that over half (52%) of all motorcycle trips in 2008 were made for the purpose of commuting, compared to just one-third (34%) of bicycle journeys and one-fifth (22 %) of car journeys. The National Travel Survey also found that the average motorcyclist uses their bike as their main mode of transport for over one-third of all trips, making 8 motorcycle trips a week, and travelling 80 miles.
"While it's clear that people are being very cautious about their spending, interest in riding remains strong," commented MCIA's Sheila Rainger. "Demand for motorcycle tests is quietly rising, while five per cent of all visitors to the Get On website (www.geton.co.uk) have booked themselves onto a taster session." |
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| 31 Aug 2009 10:02:22 pm |
| UK Businesses Losing Out on the Biker Pound |
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The leisure and tourism industry is missing out on the biker pound from European travellers as a new MCI analysis of official statistics shows that almost four times as many British bikers cross the Channel for their holidays as come the other way.
100,000 independent bikers travel abroad by ferry or the channel tunnel for their holidays in Europe, whereas only 23,000 European riders visit the UK. (1)
According to the MCI’s analysis, if UK tourist businesses could attract the same number of bikers to the UK as leave the UK for holidays, over £30 million pounds per week could be generated.
There are many British icons that will appeal to European bikers from enjoying the best of British food, local delicacies and the full English breakfast , to the fantastic scenery and the many historical heritage sites including the legendary biker venue the Ace Café.
Research carried out by the Motor Cycle Industry Association reveals that UK bikers are already a lucrative market as they contribute nearly £400 million to UK tourism. (2)
In its survey of more than 2,000 riders and non-riders from across the UK, the MCI found that 84% of the UK’s 1.5 million riders prefer to holiday by motorcycle for holidays, short breaks and days out – even though the majority have access to a car.
One-quarter of riders use motorcycles as their preferred mode of transport to enjoy days-out in the UK. One-in-six take weekend short-breaks by bike and one-in-fifteen holiday on two-wheels . The average spend by motorcyclists is £68 per day on accommodation, food and entertainment.
In the current economic climate, where the tourism industry is encouraging British people to enjoy a ‘staycation’, it would seem wise to capitalise on the potential European bike market too.
MCI Spokesperson, Sheila Rainger said “We are currently attracting a very low percentage of European riders. If we could attract the same number of bikers to the UK as leave the UK for holidays the industry could potentially generate over £30 million in income for every week they spent on holiday in the UK.
“Holidaying by bike is an excellent way of seeing more of the UK’s tourist attractions and stunning scenery at your own convenience. It contributes a significant amount to local and national tourism and now is a good time for the UK to try and open this up to markets further afield.”
Mark Wilsmore of Ace Cafe London said "As a destination venue, motorcycle tourism is increasingly important. At the cafe we ensure that we give riders a reason to get out and enjoy riding their bikes and visit us". |
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| 28 Aug 2009 10:04:56 pm |
| Travel Survey Shows Savvy Commuters Use Motorcycles and Scoo |
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Motorcycles are making a bigger contribution to getting commuters to work than any other mode of transport, according to the MCI’s analysis of the new National Travel Survey.*
The survey shows that over half (52%) of all motorcycle trips in 2008 were made for the purpose of commuting, compared to just one-third (34%) of bicycle journeys and one-fifth (22 %) of car journeys. These findings challenge the myth that bikers are a nuisance on the road and more interested in leisure pursuits than the day to day convenience of a powered two-wheeler. They strengthen the case for motorcycling to take its place at the heart of mainstream transport policy as an everyday, practical mode of transport which can improve access to employment, education and social networks.
* Congestion-busting: the majority of car journeys are still single occupancy (60%) and this is notably higher for commuting and business trips (84%). If these solo drivers switched to two wheels, congestion would fall and journey times drop dramatically.
* Affordable: financial hurdles were one of the main deterrents to driving. For younger people this was particularly critical, with almost half (48%) of 17-20 year olds stating ‘the cost of learning ‘ as a reason for not driving. A third ( 32% ) of this age group said that the cost of buying a car was another key factor for not driving. A new rider can get on the road for under £2,000 including a new 125cc scooter, kit and the basic training ( CBT ) that is required: a more cost –effective option than four wheels and ideal for younger people who need to get to work or college on a limited budget.
* Regular: the average motorcyclist relies on their bike for everyday transport, using it for over one-third of all journeys they make.
MCI Spokesperson Sheila Rainger said, “ Motorcycle and scooter riders are capitalizing on the cost-effective, practical benefits of using a powered-two wheeler during some of the busiest times of the day.
“It is important that the Government and employers recognise the contribution riders are making to ensure workers are getting to the ‘office ‘ quicker and cheaper than some of their colleagues. Cheaper parking, secure and covered parking and access to bus lanes are just some of the small steps that will improve a biker’s experience.” |
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