British motorcycle advocacy group encourages riders to take test early
The Staff of Clutch and Chrome
May 8th 2008
Record numbers
of British would-be bikers are expected to take scooter and
motorcycle tests this year ahead of changes in test
procedures that will make it more complex to pass the test
from October this year.
Launching its
Now’s the Time campaign to
raise awareness of the test changes, the Motor Cycle
Industry Association (MCIA) is predicting a surge in people
applying for theory, compulsory basic tests (CBT), full
tests and direct access tests before the changes come into
force in just five months.
In a typical year, there are around 80,000 powered two
wheeler (PTW) test applications with more than 50,000
passes. Last year saw an increase in the number of
motorcycle tests taken and passed and the MCIA says that we
are likely to see a further big increase in 2008.
In compliance with an EU directive, PTW license legislation
takes a new turn in October. Applicants will face longer
waiting times and testing will be more expensive and
demanding. There will also be fewer test centers where tests
can be taken – down from about 200 to just 60, although the
MCIA says that fewer than that will be ready by October.
Those who already have a motorcycle CBT certificate and
people looking to get into biking for the first time, are
being urged not to delay and to go for their full license
tests as soon a possible.
The MCIA’s Craig Carey-Clinch said: “PTW riders are probably
already our best-trained road users, and the new test
elements will help riders understand more about the
capabilities of their machines, but there is concern about
the additional expense of training and taking tests, and
that the number of test centers around the country is being
slashed.
“The last time major changes to test procedures were brought
in back in 1997, we saw a huge rise in test applications as
people tried to beat the deadline. We expect history to
repeat itself. For these and many other reasons, now’s the
time to take your bike test.”
National Motorcycle Week from July 14 – 20 this year, with
Ride to Work Day on July 16 will be focal points for the
campaign, highlighting the benefits of PTWs.
Bikes
increasingly make good sense
It’s not just changes in test legislation that’s making
people think about switching to PTWs. Rising costs of
living, expensive and inefficient public transport and
record fuel and motoring costs are making people reassess
their transport needs.
“Interest in mopeds, scooters and motorcycles as viable
means of transport is increasing,” says Craig Carey-Clinch.
“Higher taxation, household bills and economic uncertainty
are making people think. Add to that the expense and poor
experience of public transport and of course, road
congestion, punitive taxes and costs of motoring, and it’s
no surprise that people are looking at alternative ways of
commuting and getting around.
“PTWs are part of the solution to road congestion. They take
up minimal space and journey times can easily be up to 60
per cent quicker than in a car. They are not hit with
congestion charges and are easy or cheap to park. Running
costs are low and so are CO2 emissions. Above all, they are
fun to ride and instill a sense of freedom that a car and
public transport can never offer. There’s never been a
better time to get on a bike.” |
