Help fix the bike test

MCN readers can help halt a dramatic decline in people taking the bike test by backing our plans for shaking-up the exam.

Test bookings were down 62% in the eight months following the introduction of a new bike test last April. Rider groups warn motorcycling will “shrink” unless the trend is reversed.

Now MPs are backing a move to have MCN’s ideas for fixing the problem debated in the House of Commons.

Our proposals include splitting a controversial “swerve and stop” manoeuvre, which has led to dozens of crashes, into two separate exercises. We’re also demanding more test centres. 

Over 40 MP have already signed a formal motion backing a debate on our proposals.

Anne Main MP, who tabled the motion after reading about the problem in MCN, is urging motorcyclists to write to their MPs asking them to add their name.

Although so-called Early Day Motions rarely lead to actual debates in the House of Commons, they can place pressure on the Government by attracting wide support from MPs. 

Main said: “Hopefully the Government will start listening to motorcyclists and rethink the test.

“All people need to do is email or write to their MP, saying ‘I’m a motorcyclist, I note this Early Day Motion and think it’s very important, will you please sign it?’ Then say, ‘Will you please let me know if you don’t and why not.”’

MCN will print the names of MPs who refuse.

Read the motion here: edmi.parliament.uk/EDMi/EDMDetails.aspx?EDMID=40624&SESSION=903

Find your MP’s details at www.writetothem.com. In your letter quote “Early Day Motion 1002, Motorcycle Testing”.

We revealed in February how the introduction of the controversial new test had led bookings to fall by 50,000 in eight months.

The Government has blamed the decline on a surge of 40,000 extra bookings in the previous two years as learners rushed to take the old test. 

For more on this, get MCN, on sale now.