The much anticipated (and dreaded) new motorcycle practical test came into force earlier this week, and frankly, it didn’t have a great ride.
One of our more local test ‘super-centres’ in Rotherham fared worst by the end of day one. In the April showers, the unfortunate first four guinea pig riders had a rough time…All four failed, with two falling off and one breaking his arm in two places.
After months of deliberations about the exercises that would be included in Module One (which include a ‘swerve test’ and a demanding acceleration exercise which requires a speed of 32mph in a limited length of time/tarmac), it would appear that the test is certainly a tough cookie.
The price of the new test is considerably more than previous too. Whereas to learn to ride a motorcycle from scratch used to cost you approximately £550, you can now expect to pay in excess of £700. That’s not good, considering that riding motorcycles is one of the keys to cutting global warming and traffic congestion, and in tough times, one of the cheapest methods of transport available.
It is yet to be seen whether guidelines will be made for wet test conditions, but given day one it would seem only sensible….