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ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE NEW BIKE TEST
(together with some things you don't need to
know)
Unless you have been living in a hermetically sealed bubble for
the last couple of years, you will be aware that changes to the motorcycle test
are just around the corner. Well, that corner is getting closer, and we will
get to it in October of this year. So, what are the changes, and what will they
mean to you? Of course, if you have already passed
your test, nothing at all. Otherwise, read on.
First of all: why is the current
test being revised? To answer that question, we need look no further than
Brussels. Apparently the number of motorcycle accidents is on the increase, and
so an EU bureaucrat, was allocated the task of looking into possible reasons
for this. His conclusions were that the reason why serious motorcycle accidents
are on the increase is a direct consequence of motorcyclists being unable to
weave around a line of cones, compounded by an inability to push their
motorcycles backwards. And so was born the new test.
What is the new test all about? The
basic change is that some of the set exercises, such as the U-turn and
Controlled Braking Exercise (emergency stop), together with some new ones, will
be carried out in a controlled situation on a purpose built off-road site.
These exercises will be conducted before the candidate takes to the road. If he
displays a dangerous inability to perform these exercises, the test will end
there and then. This off road site will be situated at a "Multi Purpose Test
Centre" or MPTC in Euro-Speak. In order to meet the DSA's target of ensuring
that most candidates will live within 45 miles of one, 200 are planned. To
date, they are not even within shouting distance of this target, so what will
happen in October is anyone's guess. The off-road part of the test is
scheduled, with all the attention to detail that only a Eurocrat could muster,
to take 8 minutes.
The candidate will be taken to the test site, all 125 metres x 40
metres of it, marked out with multi coloured cones. And it will look something
like this: or to be more accurate, exactly like this:
The
examiner will explain each phase of the test, which will be carried out as
follows:
1. Push or
ride the bike into a coned "garage" and place it on the stand (side or main).
2. Take it off the
stand and push it, in reverse, into the adjacent garage. You may choose your
own starting garage, and therefore whether you push it to the right or the
left. A single arc is not required. Place it back on the stand.
3. Execute a slow
speed slalom through 5 yellow cones placed 4.5 metres apart.
4. Ride a figure "8", twice, around
the two blue cones, placed 6 meters apart.
5. Ride around a 19 metre radius arc
at 30 kph (18mph). After the arc, accelerate to at least 50kph (31mph). At the
end of this straight your speed will be measured
6. Ride through the offset gate.
This exercise simulates hazard avoidance.
7. Come to a controlled stop inside
the coned "box"
8.
Execute a U turn within 7.5 metres
9. Slow ride, following the examiner
at a walking pace.
10. Around the arc again.
11. Accelerate up to 50kph (31mph)
and execute emergency stop on examiner's signal. The speeds stipulated are
mandatory. If they are not attained another attempt will be allowed.
At the discretion
of the examiner, you could be asked to complete the circuit as shown, i.e. with
the arc and hazard avoidance turning to the right, or, alternatively, with the
arc and hazard avoidance turning to the left. If you want to see what this
looks like, trace this diagram, and turn it over. Alternatively, hold it up to
a mirror, bearing in mind that the numbers will now be difficult to read!
After these
exercises it's out on the road. Because there won't be any delays caused by
carrying out the U turn and emergency stops on the road, this will involve more
actual riding, and therefore more opportunity to make mistakes. The actual time
for the road ride may also be extended, but if, and by how much has yet to be
verified. Normal stops and starts, hill starts and
angle starts will be part of the road ride as at present.
So, what's all the fuss about? Well, on the minus side, the test
is going to cost more (bet you'd worked that one out yourself hadn't you) and,
if training is carried out on the actual test site, depending on the distance
from your training centre, additional lessons may be needed, again at more
cost. As far as the riding is concerned, the main problems will be: pushing the
bike backwards; the slalom, 4 ½ metres between cones may seem a lot but
is actually quite tight; the figure of 8, again quite tight; the circuit ride,
18mph is a fair lick; getting up to 31mph after the circuit ride is also quite
a push; But there are also pros to balance the cons. Ask any learner rider
about his main test worry and he will answer: "the U turn". The sting has well
and truly been taken out of that one in the new test. 7 ½ metres?! You
could turn an ocean liner around in that! The main benefit of the new system
though will be that, although the exercises may be more demanding, they will,
at least be carried out in a controlled, uniform, way and the riding school
will be able to provide training under accurate test conditions, indeed,
practice will be possible on the actual training site itself.
One final question: will the test
achieve its stated aim, i.e. to reduce motorcycle accidents? Well, the jury is
out on that one - only time will tell.
This article, written by our own J.R., has been
editted for those with political sensibilities. If you wish to read the full
article, please e-mail us at valleybikes
Last updated 21st January 2008 |
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