compulsory 50cc riding...read & discuss

Clanger · Stirrer Joined: 27 May 2004 Karma :

I personally think a compulsory year or two on a moped or small bike wouldnt be a bad idea for those who apply for their provisional licence whatever they intend to ride/drive. Just think if all highway road workers would do their level best to make sure the road they've just dug up, has a lovely surface, and is flat...

And those that decided where to put drains wouldnt put them on roundabouts where they would have 'experienced' what it was like to ride over them!!!???

think about the consequences...smooth roads, people checking their mirrors more often, no diesel spills, more thought out on the roads... Question

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Sparks! · Sir Tart-a-lot Joined: 30 Aug 2003 Karma :

No prospective car driver is going to want to spend a year riding around on a moped before being allowed into a car. Unfortunately not every one prefers bikes and not everyone is going to be happy riding one, especially for a year or more just in order to get their car licence. Some times it isn't practical, if a person has decided to get their drivers licence as requirements for a new job etc.

It's not possible to force someone to do it and really it is unfair. But maybe an insurance approved discount for CBT holders would be more appropriate, although I doubt many will complete it.

Instead they should teach more bike awareness in driving lessons. The main problem seems more to be the distractions a car provides. Air conditioning, radios, electric windows, lots of gadgety things to play with (window up, window down, window up, window down Laughing

)

I agree with man hole covers though completely, Who's un-educated idea was it to place a slippery bit of metal in the middle of a lane on a roundabout, blindly hidden from view until you've slipped uncontrably across to the next lane, or worse, onto your arse!

There's a roundabout by me that has two drain covers in the most silly place. It's a really dodgy roundabout to negotiate in the rain, especially if the traffic is busy!

It's not really hard for them to use a tarmac style cover on them like they do in a few places, or to place them in a different location!

</rant>
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Davo · Davo To The Rescue! Joined: 04 Apr 2004 Karma :

I think a lot of "youngsters" have to follow this route. Recently i've started to think the DAS route is mixed blessing, due to the fact you can get someone who's never ridden before jumping straight onto an R1, busa etc... (although insurance costs usually stops them)

Then again, i also believe car drivers should have to do a CBT, it may make them better drivers?

My Penny Coin

anyway.

Nighteyes · Dirty Bint Joined: 05 Aug 2003 Karma :

Hmmm, interesting thought. I doubt it would ever happen though as ideal as bike perfect roads sounds, it would just cost far too much to do. Also I don't agree with the 50cc part, 125's fine, since they can at least get up to the speeds required (even the four strokes).
Of course not everyone wants to ride bikes (strange as that is Confused

) or perhaps can not for health reasons etc, so that would certainly be unfair to those people.
The amount of accidents on the road I could see increasing too if everyone had to ride bikes, especially the crappy weather we have to put up with in the UK! Perhaps if a CBT were compulsory? That /should/ still improve peoples awareness of bikes, and it would seem a lot more feasible.

Clanger · Stirrer Joined: 27 May 2004 Karma :

Clanger · Stirrer Joined: 27 May 2004 Karma :

Davo · Davo To The Rescue! Joined: 04 Apr 2004 Karma :

Sparks! · Sir Tart-a-lot Joined: 30 Aug 2003 Karma :

Nighteyes · Dirty Bint Joined: 05 Aug 2003 Karma :

stinkwheel · Bovine Proctologist Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

I think what clanger was getting at was that if people were aware of how a diesel spill affects other road users, they would be more inclined to put a proper fuel cap on their wagon rather than stuff a workshop rag in the filler pipe.

I think it would be beneficial for everyone on the road to have an experience of riding a moped, it would certainly (you would hope) make them at least a little more considerate when driving around them. I think two years is a bit steep though, even just doing a CBT type arrangement would be sufficient to make a difference.
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stinkwheel · Bovine Proctologist Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

Bendy · Mrs Sensible Joined: 10 Jun 2002 Karma :

I think people applying for their car test should absolutely have to do a CBT first, and I also believe people applying for their bike test should have to do a 'car CBT' first. And while we're at it, everyone should have to sit through a short lecture/demonstration about HGVs (since there appears to be little grasp of what it takes to make one of these things stop or go).

I'd like to think that if people on the road had a bit of knowledge about what their fellow motorists were dealing with, there would be a bit more consideration out there. At the moment, it's down to the individual to arm themselves with that knowledge, and the majority don't bother to.

Liono · Spanner Monkey Joined: 22 Jul 2004 Karma :

I think awareness of the needs and abilities of other transport methods needs to be increased, but this needs to be by a fair and practical method. People on this forum have a vested interest in bikes (obviously) hence the suggestion of a compulsory year on a 50 cc bike, presumably to raise awareness of what it feels like to ride one. By the same logic then, should all drivers be required to spend a year riding a horse, or a year on a pushbike? Although the sentiment of the idea is good, the practicalities of it are unworkable. Many people may have neither the time, inclination or ability to spend a year on a bike to pass their car test. However, there still needs to be some way of raising awareness of other road users, perhaps by a sort of induction day, during which the driver is taught about (and perhaps experiences?) the various other methods of transport available.

Kickstart · The Oracle Joined: 04 Feb 2002 Karma :

Hi

I have said a few times that I think some form of road user awareness course should be made compulsory for anyone taking out any driving licence.

Basically a short course involving a short session in various vehicles (quite possibly including on a horse). It would probably be best to include it as a subject at school.

That way those getting bikes might realise how bad the visability is from a car, etc.

All the best

Keith
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stinkwheel · Bovine Proctologist Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

Kickstart makes a good point there. In a lot of schools in the USA, they do "drivers ed." lessons.

They could quite easily make this part of the Personal and Social Development curriculum over here. You could even have an optional formal qualification (like a national certificate) for those who are more keen on learning to drive, hopefully insurance companies would take this on-board and offer a discount.
____________________
“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

Frost · World Chat Champion Joined: 26 May 2004 Karma :

I think its stupid that at age 20 after passing my test first time with 1 minor, i am restricted to 33bhp and have to pay outragous insurance premiums.
Where as a friends mum has failed her DAS twice, yet when she does finally pass she will be allowed to ride whatever she likes and pay a comparative pittance for the insurance.
She will be deemed to be a better, safer rider than I despite the fact that clearly she isnt.

who shall me let ride an R1?
The young lad with a years no claims, sharp reations who passing his test right away?
Or the old bint who cant ride to save her life?

Crying or Very sad

mrchips · World Chat Champion Joined: 05 Mar 2004 Karma :

Many people I know wouldn't even get on a moped, and mopeds arn't practical at all really unless you are 16 and have no choice otherwise. I think it would be a better investment writing to your local counceller explaining the problems to him.

dibbster · Nearly there... Joined: 15 Apr 2004 Karma :

Maybe everyone should have to serve a two year restriction after passing their bike test not just under 21's. There is no substitute for experience.
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