Sitting at a T junction traffic lights today and watched a kid on a 125 twist and go following far too close to the back of a car which then braked for the right turn off Bexley Road.
The kid panicked locked up, stopped and nearly lost it but ended up sort of O.K. with the bike almost dropped but just held up off the road. So far, so “good”.
Then his mate on the 125 traily following him far too close ran into the back of him.
Were they grateful when I pulled up behind them, stuck the hazards on and helped them pick up the bikes?
Did the car drivers following me appreciate that I’d stopped to help out?
I saw what looked like a blue yamaha 600 that had gone through the back window of a small hatchback with young children in the back the other day. So it doesn’t appear the test weeds them out either. It wasn’t wet, and the traffic along there is is always very stop/start. It didn’t look like the bike, rider or passengers were particuallry badly hurt but the inside of the car must have been covered in glass.
I was on my CBT about a month ago, and there were a couple of young lads who were there doing it on Automatic Mopeds… they were complete bell of the ends!. When asked about the highway codes and general “what to do if” questions they got it all wrong… and just laughed it off. One was even ranting in a proud manner to the instructor about how his mate took a car door off while racing some other mopeds down the road… im up for racing as much as the next and having fun on my bike, but it seems new L platers arent too the ability they should be for riding on public roads… Being an L plater myself I know my view might come across being abit “well what do you know then?”, but ive been Motocross racing for nearly 10 years now and would consider myself an above adverage rider.
Maybe as part of a CBT they should have an off-road school session, as riding in that sort terrain makes you think every second about what is around you… and your on your own, not jucing of the extra confidence of having an instructor behind you or you following one.
I agree there’s no way a CBT is enough before letting kids loose on the roads, especially in this capital of ours.
The fact that sometimes people who’ve taken their test crash/ride like idiots does not in any way ‘prove’ that a CBT IS in fact enough, and learner riders are the best thing since sliced bread. Like some people seem to think. Ahem.
Its time for an obligatory test, just like for cars. It really wouldn’t affect people THAT much; the main people who it would affect are those who are not seriously trying to become proper motorcyclists but just want to buzz round on a hairdrier and can’t be botheres/afford to get the proper training. Serious bikers who are trying their best to get on in the biking world would not really be disadvantaged much; you’re almost certainly going to need lessons one way or the other eventually, so why not do them BEFORE you start riding on your own?
The government has been revising the motorcycle test; I believe that they are fighting the wrong battle, and should introduce an obilgatory test.
I’m sure lots of learners, particularly serious biker learners, are fine, and make good use of the fact that they are allowed to practise on their own. However, we can’t all run at the pace of the best athletes, and laws have to be made to protect idiots from themselves.
I’m sure some people would be able to drink perfectly responsibly aged 16, but a lot can’t, so the legal limit of 18 is in place. I’m sure lots of people can go out and practise on L plates on their own, but a lot can’t, so we need to act.
Personally I think it is great that you stopped and helped I always appreciate it if bikers look out for each other. It’s a good community to belong to and it is thanks to people like yourself that it stays that way, so please don’t be discouraged, keep going.
I agree, a serious biker would take any steps nessacry towards riding on the road, be a obligatory test as he/she would be more than willing to aim to meet the required levels. I think the most important part of biking is always keep learning, as with that you enjoy yourself more and create a much safer enviroment for youself and other road users. I think in a CBT they should atleast put a cornering session in as a massive percentage of L plater crashes are caused by under-lean by them going into a bend too fast and not leaning over enough. We all know bikes lean… so on a CBT id say learning that aspect of a bike should be compulsory.
Errrmmmmm, you’re presuming they even had CBT!! I wouldnt give a damn about the drivers behind but i would have insisted on a “thank you”. I stopped for that twat on the Aprilia 125 and look where it got me!?
I had a similar incident today actually, was making a right turn at traffic lights in Camberwell on my way to work, lights had just gone amber and did a life saver to see a bloke with L plates tearing up my inside (and I had left very little room for him to do that) undertaking and winging a right bang in front of me. He then popped one of those stunts where your back wheels go up in the air.
At the next traffic lights I pulled up beside him, pulled up my visor and said ‘that was a really bloody stupid thing to do.’ He nodded solemnly at me and then proceeded to ride bang up my arse revving his engine (and I was going pretty quick on the Hornet) until I pulled over in a petrol station and allowed him to go on his merry way.
I do not think though that this has anything to do with whether someone has L plates or a 1,000 cc Triumph and ten years experience - anyone can ride like a pillock;)
Ive seen a couple bikes doing Endos upto traffic lights around london… each time they have actually been L plated bikes, thing is L plates usually = young lad, and young lads = no fear. They’re not usually to worried about planting their face into the ground.
I think the CBT isn’t quite enough, but the fact that it makes it so easy to get on a bike is what encourages many people to try it out to begin with I think.
I wouldn’t really mind more restrictions being placed on it, or perhaps as far as some people have suggested such as an obligatory test to get on the road. I did my CBT a little while ago, been having lessons this week just like a DAS and got my test on Monday. Never been on the road without an instructor with me and though it has cost a bit more then sticking with just CBT, the extra training has been very useful and once I’ve got my test done I won’t have to worry about it again.
It hasn’t been that much trouble, and though it’s costing me quite a lot (I’m a student so a bit of a tight budget situation) I can still manage because it’s something I really want to do. I don’t think it’s too hard for others to go through their test aswell… but at the same time the current system has it’s advantages
But like Elad said, they were probably just pretty embarrased but grateful anyway. People like Oldguy make it such a good community to be apart of so thanks to Oldguy for helping out
now heres a proper biker, going about it in the right way. Hes a poor student, but cos its his passion hes found a way to do it. Properly, and safely. Good man.
In N Ireland they don’t even have cbt, you can automatically drive up to 125 on a provisional car license. When I 1’st came over here, my insurance company wouldn’t start the policy on my bike until i’d done a cbt despite having 5 years riding experience as a courier in Belfast.
Anyway, cbt’s or tests don’t really matter, if someone wants to ride like a twat, they will despite what training they have.
I rather like the French approach - if you have a car licence you can ride a 125. Makes for better car drivers and less congestion, as so many use 125 bikes (mostly scooters) for commuting in the cities, or for fun outside.
However if you want something bigger you have to take the equivalent of our DAS - and I’d be flummoxed by that - not the gears but getting my butt on the seat in the first place. Old bones etc…
I like that we can take a 125 test on an auto and stick to the ‘old man’s’ solution.
Oops, that went slightly off-topic - perhaps there should be incentives for ins. co.'s to give even bigger discounts for advanced qualifications, or petrol should be cheaper or some other incentive for further training. Because further training is certainly needed to have a better than evens chance of NOT having a prang…
