Motorcycle Forums

cardiffmc

Nice to see a slightly more reasoned case, put across in more reasonable tone, but when it comes to my earlier post, there is no contradiction!  Let me explain.

The Mod 1 test is here, right now, has injured many people and may yet kill.  It needs looking at, if for no other reason then because of the crazy notion of a minimum speed without feedback and with no dependence of weather, grip or vehicle performance.  It's giving people the willies, people who trainers think are up to it, and as a reult they're crashing.  That defines a stupid implementation of a test, however well intentioned it may be.  The basic principle (of demanding a swerve) seems entirelyt reasonable, but there need to be some sensible variables and safeguards.

The 3rd Directive is on it's way, subject to consultation.  In other words it isn't yet implemented, and yes it could, if sensibly implemented, save lives.  It will further delay young riders' access to the most powerful machines, and that might well help, especially with young male riders, as long as you don't deter them from riding altogether.  Personally I think most riders should cut their teeth on lower powered, easy to ride, sit up and beg, machines, with fairly gradual progression to animals of twice the weight, ten times the power, and an interesting take on rearward vision.

However, attemoting to reduce KSIs by killing an industry and desuading people from riding certainly wouldn't be my ideal and what's more, it may have the opposite effect.

Did you know that if you increase the total number of a minority category of vulnerable road users, then the total KSIs in that sector can actually fall as a result?  Best of all, the lower KSIs are shared amongst a larger number of users - double whammy.  Similarly, if box drivers were more used to seeing us, all year round, at every end and turn, then their expectations and active looking-out for us would only increase, leading to reduced collisions between us.  The same notion has been reasonably well proven for pedal cyclists.  Conversely the reverse will be true too - as our numbers fall the hazard to each of us will increase disproportionately!

So, time to fix the test, get involved w.r.t. the Third Directive, and promote our wonderful means of travelling about the place.

What puzzles me, is your absolute faith in the mod 1 test as it is...  Is any radical new thing ever so good that it can't be improved?  Maybe you invented it and will defend it to the hilt come what may?

Whats....

an ATB?

nothing new 2/2

You want to know why I go off and rant, its because you are not listening to the industry you are being led along a path you know nothing about, by people who are blind to the fact they are wrong.

Mod1

Is a substantial improvement on the old practical test and is in noway shape or form a danger to students. The motorcycle training industry should not be held to ransom by the likes of MCN and again I am going to be rude here but you are of course qualified in this field and you have first hand experience of how this all works and in no way have had you view shaped by the British bike press.

I could copy and past all I want to say but I would rather you looked up the two surveys that both say there is no correlation with power and the accident rate's. In fact when people harp on about there never being any need to “swerve: they would do well to read this report.

http://www.writetoride.co.uk/RISK_AND_MOTORCYCLING_161109_v.3.pdf

The report continues “However, motorcyclists were also at fault on some built-up road accidents because

riders lost control due to excessive speed, slippery roads, inexperience etc. Accidents on non built-up

roads were found to be mostly the fault of the motorcyclist and were often due to ‘loss of control’. Over

two-thirds of the accidents on non-built-up roads involved larger engined ‘sports’ bikes (i.e. over 500cc)”

(ibid), but research in the UK and Europe has demonstrated that engine size or brake horse power is not the principle cause of crashes.

Last but not least if you want to blind people with waffle head here.

http://www.iam.org.uk/images/stories/downloads/Motorcycling/IAMmotorcyclist_Report_v7.pdf

lol

Approved training body and if you wondering what KSI is, it's killed or serious injury

MCN don't care

The DSA don't care, you are right they don't and if you look closer to home you will see MCN working closely with them in damaging the training industry with there rabid reporting of mod1.

As for reinstating the old test. No thank you, I like the new test and it is a really good way of teaching a critical maneuver every one is quick to moan about safety and even quicker to moan about 1mph. If safety is your true agenda then you will shut up and let us get on with teaching Mod1, go to your local ATB spend a few hours with them and find out what we really think about it.

Dare I say it but I think the standard of rider that comes out of the new test process is better that a lot of bikers with a life time of riding and I would quite happily put you up against one of my students to show you how much better they are.