Call to junk bike test system: Multi-layered approach found to have no benefits

The National Motorcyclists Council (NMC) have called for changes to the UK’s motorcycle licence testing and training regime after current convoluted rules were found to make biking no safer.

Motorcycle licensing changed in 2009 to involve a two-part test and two-stage licences, in the belief it would reduce casualties.

However, NMC analysis reveals that changes introduced from 2009 have failed to make motorcycling safer but the number of riders killed or seriously injured has actually risen. Now that the UK has left the EU, the NMC are calling on the Government to use this opportunity to revamp the system.

Related articles on MCN

• How to pass your full UK bike licence under the current system
• Changes to the A2 motorbike law to bring 250s into play
• Northumbria PCC exploring designated off road area

The NMC are not proposing a dilution of testing or poorer standards, instead a change from the current box-ticking system to a new set of steps that are simpler to understand and are more closely aligned with international standards.

The biggest changes proposed are a return to the single test and removing the A2 category. Instead younger riders who pass would be on a restricted licence as before, with a training course after one year to graduate to the full A licence.

The NMC are also in favour of training courses to move up from A1 rather than a repeat test. They would also like to see the CBT strengthened with a requirement to take a theory test as part of the CBT, alongside other smaller measures such as a return to a direct access minimum age of 21.

---

‘Let’s make biking safer’ say National Motorcyclists Council

First published on 23 June 2021 by Jordan Gibbons

The National Motorcyclists Council is calling for a set of international standards to be adopted to help improve safety for motorcyclists.

• Who are the NMC?

The NMC, which is made up of numerous UK motorcycling organisations, has been taking part in the International Transport Forum (ITF) Motorcyclists Safety Workshop. The event is a follow up to a similar event in 2008 and is made up of various biking bodies worldwide, including the FIM.

The biggest aim of the ITF is to convince governments that by including improved motorcycle safety as part of their transport plans, more people will be encouraged to take up biking, which will in turn reduce congestion.

---

Biking groups unite: National Motorcyclists Council will lobby on behalf of riders

First published on 16 March 2021 by Ben Clarke

Key biking groups and organisations – the Auto Cycle Union, British Motorcyclists Federation, IAM RoadSmart, Motorcycle Action Group and the Trail Riders Fellowship – have come together to form a coalition.

Related articles on MCN

• Staged relaxing of coronavirus lockdown opens up world of biking opportunities
• How coronavirus has affected motorbike events
• Bike makers face new challenges in 2021

The National Motorcyclists Council brings together a broad range of existing groups and sporting clubs and will provide a single voice to make it easier for the interests and opinions of motorcyclists to be heard by parliament.

It will also act to consolidate support for issues across all of its different groups’ members, which add up to over 100,000 riders, so issues that affect one group’s members can be supported by all.

One of the first items on the agenda is to get motorcycling back into the minds of policy makers in Westminster and beyond.

Introducing the National Motorcyclists Council (NMC), which was launched today to an audience of 60. Launch attendees spanned Government and the Parliamentary parties, plus stakeholders from the transport sector, the media and motorcycling organisations. https://t.co/FYYL3u3uQV

— National Motorcyclists Council (@NationalMotorc1) March 5, 2021

This includes making sure motorcycles and mopeds are included in current and future transport and sustainability strategies, making sure the process of getting a licence is fit for purpose post-Brexit and protecting motorbike sport venues such as race circuits and motocross tracks.

The council will also work with authorities on regulatory and enforcement issues like exhaust noise, bike theft, antisocial behaviour, vehicle excise duty, low emissions zones and better security for riders. Visit the National Motorcyclists Council website for a full list of the new group’s objectives.