New Licensing Laws

After reading the article in MCN regarding the new licensing laws, I thought I would see what other peoples opinions were?

see here:
Click me, I am nice short sentence that doesn't screw up the page layout, unlike that great long link that was here before.

Truthfully I think it is a good idea, at least when you do get the license for a bigger bike you would have the necessary experience..... runs for cover!

Cheers,

I really would like to see an equivalent tiered system for car drivers.

Wont make a dent in accident figures. More government medling

Revolution!

Ceri JC, good point. Seems ridiculous that you can past your test and go and buy a enormous motor, capable of killing many people if it is crashed. Where as a bike you are more likely to hurt only yourself.

maybe they should be doing the same with cars...

[timwilky]

Personally I would like to see the removal of a riders ability to ride unaccompanied as a learner.

Most accidents with bikes are surely stupid kids on their twist & go, no proper protection beyond a cheap ill fitting lid.

At least if accompanied, by a qualified rider not neccasarily an approved instructor, they have the benifit of riding critic, instruction and example. I would ideally like to see the CBT become a test and of increased duration.

Sorry if this sounds like I am having a downer on learners, I am not. I would like to see more people on bikes. But as qualified riders not as learners. I personally see things like the restricted license as unhelpful. As there is little that can be done to easily establish at the side of the road whether a bike is in fact restricted.

I started my riding career on 250s as a learner in the 70s and regard the 125 as an unsuitable learner bike. Give them more power, but at the same time ensure that they are instructed/trained in its use.

Originally Posted by timwilky

Personally I would like to see the removal of a riders ability to ride unaccompanied as a learner.

Most accidents with bikes are surely stupid kids on their twist & go, no proper protection beyond a cheap ill fitting lid.

At least if accompanied, by a qualified rider not neccasarily an approved instructor, they have the benifit of riding critic, instruction and example. I would ideally like to see the CBT become a test and of increased duration.

Sorry if this sounds like I am having a downer on learners, I am not. I would like to see more people on bikes. But as qualified riders not as learners. I personally see things like the restricted license as unhelpful. As there is little that can be done to easily establish at the side of the road whether a bike is in fact restricted.

I started my riding career on 250s as a learner in the 70s and regard the 125 as an unsuitable learner bike. Give them more power, but at the same time ensure that they are instructed/trained in its use.

Have to say I agree with this. I'm amazed at how many bikers are vehemently anti-DAS, given how much more relevant the experience is to riding a proper bike, rather than just messing about on your own on a 125. I've often seen 125 riders on L plates hesitating, or even completely stopped when confronted with an unusal hazard or junction/whatever, but when I overtake them, they happily follow (well, before I accelerate )and seen reasonably safe doing so. I think them just going out with a mate who has passed (so long as the mate isn't riding like a knob) is a good way of getting experience. I know a lot of my "post test" learning was done by following better/more experienced riders and watching what they do.

Originally Posted by Ceri JC

Have to say I agree with this. I'm amazed at how many bikers are vehemently anti-DAS, given how much more relevant the experience is to riding a proper bike, rather than just messing about on your own on a 125. I've often seen 125 riders on L plates hesitating, or even completely stopped when confronted with an unusal hazard or junction/whatever, but when I overtake them, they happily follow (well, before I accelerate )and seen reasonably safe doing so. I think them just going out with a mate who has passed (so long as the mate isn't riding like a knob) is a good way of getting experience. I know a lot of my "post test" learning was done by following better/more experienced riders and watching what they do.

I agree and I'm still learning now as I've only passed my test for 6 months now and there are still things i am learning. Having done the DAS and experienced other riders riding like maniacs on high powered machines you do start to wonder about the sanity of letting people get on the big stuff straight after passing their test. So in short im all in favour of the new laws as it may save some of our beretherans lives.

Originally Posted by timwilky

I started my riding career on 250s as a learner in the 70s

Not a lot of structured tutoring then though.

Originally Posted by Ceri JC

I think them just going out with a mate who has passed (so long as the mate isn't riding like a knob) is a good way of getting experience.

You have just pointed out the main problem with all this. Knobs are like magnets - they attract each other. All that will happen is that one will pass then they are all off again, just like before.

What you need is make good safe riding socially attractive, and that is mainly done by peer pressure.

Some people Young or old will driver dangerously in whatever they drive, to be honest no one can afford to insure or run a high powered Bike or Car anyway until they are 30 + now. ....unless they have Thousands of pounds for Insurance.

It seems they are affraid of the scooter-hooligan generation getting hold of big bikes at some point, but they are missing the point that they won't be able to afford these until they are years older (and more mature, hopefully).

It does feel like full on victimisation to be honest, as mentioned above

....What about cars ???


I used to hoon around my TZ/RD as a teenager, but then I had mates who drove XR2/3, GTI's who were much worse offenders!