I had two near misses on Friday on the way home from work. They were caused by lack of awareness, not using mirrors and no shoulder checking.
Both were City Sprint couriers on mopeds with L plates.
If these people can’t even invest enough in their own safety to edcate themselves and pass their test, surely they shouldn’t be allowed to earn a living in their bike. We do not need under educated, under prepared riders under pressure to make a living.
I had the same thing up Brixton Hill a few days ago - learner courier was right up my backside to my right (I was on my bike and going at 30mph) then switched to the left side and did the same thing, then swerved back to the right and decided to overtake the traffic, looking very wobbly indeed. Am all for learner riders, but learner couriers are different, as usually you get paid for each job, so it’s a temptation to ride fast and dangerously to get more done in the day.
I watched an L-plate courier this morning, racing round a blind corner (filtering) on the other side of the road. About 25 yards ahead of him, was a junction, the jam had left a gap, and if he’d looked he would have seen the car pulling through that was gonna pop out in front of him… they always do… but did he look… nah course not… Plowed straight into the front rolled over the bonnet, stood up, shouted loads, inspected his bike and sped off all before the woman had calmed down enough to get out and see what had happened… her front wing was mullered, he was nowhere to be seen… no one got his plate though, most of them were too busy trying to drive round the poor woman beeping at her…
Lesson learned?
L-Plate scooter riders are to be avoided at all costs. They are stupidity incarnate crossed with a ludicrous ego complex because they think they know it all and with their tiny little willies… sorry engines, they feel they have to bark like the big dogs to be heard, HA HA H AH HA HA H AHA H down little doggies!
London cagers are selfish sh!ts
A gap at a junction is an invitation for disaster and stupidity on behalf of cagers, so SLOW DOWN and LOOK
Always get the dam licence plate number in case of hit and run d!cks
Never try and chase an adrenaline fueled moron on a scooter when you’re riding a bicycle… my legs are killing me… 
yes because you dont get l plated cabbies or van drivers etc, they are not fully licensed so should not be doing it.
i reckon they probably have no intention of taking full licence anyway as they hve 2 yrs to get it.
i may be wrong though, lol
The main problem I have with people working on bikes with L-Plates, (like curriers or pizza boys) is that it has removed the value of an l plate.
People tend to be more patent, and considerate to cars with L plates, but not bikes. When I was doing my CBT, I had spent less then 5 minutes on the road, I had a 4x4 behind me, beeping because I didn’t pull out onto a junction quickly enough.
Its true actually, people shouldn’t be allowed to work as a learner… surely that says that the business is hiring someone who is sufficiently qualified to represent their business … I wouldn’t hire the apprentice, I want the trained plumber eh…
Yeah, the businesses are encouraging people to take insane chances with their safety. I think it should be banned. Or at least discouranged.
Well this is going to end I think, as they are changing it so L-platers can’t ride unaccompanied. Though I may have read that in MCN, the home of “The EU/Police/Beaurcrats/Aliens are going to make all biking illegal becuase they are really mean”, so it may not be true.
Ooh. I’m heartened by the resposes. I expected to be flamed.
I’m surprised the Courier’s insurance covers them to be onest. Or maybe City Sprint’s employess have no liability on City Sprint? Are these guys all insured themselves?
I agree with Choprocker , no other trade could get away with it , imagine the post office with L plated HGV’s !
Its just too easy for courier companies to get bikes out on the road , what half a day for a CBT and then the riders have the 2years and no further costs to themselves or the company .
You could always bring in a validity to the L plate and then you have to take the full test or get some shoes !
