Latest on the review of the motorcycle test from Mag Campaigns coordinator, Paddy Tyson.


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Hello

I'd just like to thank you for taking the time to write to the Roads Safety Minister Mike Penning, with your suggestions for the motorcycle test review.

He received a total of 482 responses to the consultation, 'mainly from motorcyclists'. The worrying thing is that people who don't ride took the time to respond! I wonder what they suggested, but it does demonstrate how important it is that we take responsibility and act for ourselves and our interests.

He says that the main points raised by the public were

-Too few test centres, too far apart
-Test booking system so bad it's almost impossible to retake test quickly -One test preferable to two -Swerve and stop maneuvers should be separated -125's can't make the required speed -allowance should be made for wet weather -cost of the test is prohibitive

Rather worryingly some respondents said the off road test idea was good so that dangerous maneuvers aren't carried out on the road, but one must ask first, why there are dangerous maneuvers and second, isn't the road where we will be using our bikes?

Others said that with enough training the test can be passed, but with enough training anything can be passed. The point must surely be, do we want novices to pass an artificial test or improve the standard of their riding?

As the review continues, please be aware that MAG is at the centre of the process.

Nich Brown, MAG General Secretary is arguing for riders on the over-arching review panel, with the Dept for Transport, DSA, and training groups.

Paddy Tyson is doing the same on the Technical Sub-Group which is redesigning the test itself and assessing how the EU Directive can be interpreted to address the issues that have arisen.

Thanks again to every one of you who contacted the Minister.

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Kind regards

Paddy Tyson
Campaigns Coordinator
MAG (UK) - Motorcycle Action Group

Tel: 01926 844064
Mob: 07717 345605
www.mag-uk.org
www.ridersarevoters.org

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Les.

Update:

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I am pleased to report that yesterday saw very productive developments regarding the Ministerial Review into the current Motorcycle Test.

The Review's Technical Subgroup spent the day at the DSA's Cardington facility, practically examining and testing ideas put forward by Training schools, as ways of addressing some of the issues with the test itself, that the Review was set up to examine.

There are lots of ideas in the pipeline and we tested various practical changes to the test itself

As a member of the Technical Subgroup I am particularly heartened that the DSA and DfT are demonstrating a willingness to work with the members of the Subgroup and earlier attitudes that may have been interpreted as intransigence, seem to have passed.

It was also a lovely sunny day and I got to ride loads of different motorbikes and mopeds. But really, I was working hard.
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Kind regards

Paddy Tyson
Campaigns Co-ordinator
MAG (UK) - Motorcycle Action Group

Tel: 01926 844064
Mob: 07717 345605
www.mag-uk.org
www.ridersarevoters.org

MAG (UK) Ltd is a company registered in England and Wales with company number 2681957

The registered offices are 79 Church Hill, Northfield, Birmingham, B31 3UB

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Les.