new Vic bike licencing??

[Smitty]

reported today....

Tougher motorbike tests could save lives
Reid Sexton The Age August 2, 2009

NEW motorcyclists face the prospect of more stringent testing and training, with experts saying the ease with which riders can obtain licences is increasing deaths on Victoria’s roads.

The measures are being considered by VicRoads as part of an overhaul of motorcycle restrictions aimed at cutting the state’s road toll.

Motorcyclist deaths in Victoria occur disproportionately, with TAC figures showing riders are 34 times more likely to be killed or seriously injured in a crash than other road users. Learner riders, who made up 8 per cent of all motorcyclists last year, accounted for 17 per cent of all riders killed in Victoria in the past five years.

Under state law, the only practical test riders face before being allowed unsupervised on the road is a basic skills test that lasts a few minutes. By comparison, young P-plate drivers must have 120 hours of supervised driving before getting their car licence.

Around Victoria, numerous accredited centres for motorcycle riders offer training courses lasting just a few hours. But some accredited centres allow riders to sit the test with no training.

A VicRoads spokeswoman said this was being reviewed.

‘‘Through the review, VicRoads will consider issues such as compulsory training and the most appropriate means for novice riders to gain valuable riding experience,’’ she said.

VicRoads also revealed it has commissioned the Monash University Accident Research Centre to investigate a new training program allowing riders to be coached on the road by professionals for half a day.

[Birdman]

more training is a great idea but if they think the 120 hrs in a car is good there fooling themselves, yeah they may be supervised but there still not taught any skills!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[corvus2606]

more training is a great idea but if they think the 120 hrs in a car is good there fooling themselves, yeah they may be supervised but there still not taught any skills!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

and on top of that, about 80% of the crashes that killed the motorcyclists were probably caused by unattentive cagers. train them aswell, none of this driving with an unattentive instructor, it doesnt work.

[photomike666]

It's about time - and I'd like to see more of it. Neither car nor bike test should be easy enough that someone can pass if only taught by an untrained instructor (parent/mate etc). National standards should also apply, both to licencing and road rules.

As for the figures, they are the usual shit. 34 times more likely to be seriously injured or killed - no shit! We don't have 29 air bags and the only required safety gear is a helmet. What percentage of all accidents were caused by motorcycles? That one is never published? Perhaps because it would be far closer to the percentage of bikes on the road?

[seiko1]

Bloody cage instructors don't teach you how to drive, they only teach you how to pass the test!
Much much more should be being done to educate, not only new cage drivers, but all cage drivers on
Motorcycle awareness.
A good graphic ad would see a rider knocked off and the driver then say "I didn't see you"
followed by a road rage biker stab him to death with two screw drivers only pausing occasionally to
pluck his eyes out and squish them on the road.
Then tear out his spinal column with the degloved skull on the end of it in a predator style aaaaaawwwwwww
Well thats what I reckon would work anyway

[Birdman]

Bloody cage instructors don't teach you how to drive, they only teach you how to pass the test!
Much much more should be being done to educate, not only new cage drivers, but all cage drivers on
Motorcycle awareness.
A good graphic ad would see a rider knocked off and the driver then say "I didn't see you"
followed by a road rage biker stab him to death with two screw drivers only pausing occasionally to
pluck his eyes out and squish them on the road.
Then tear out his spinal column with the degloved skull on the end of it in a predator style aaaaaawwwwwww
Well thats what I reckon would work anyway

jeez i think you might need some Valium dude

[Madness]

I remember when I got my L's then got the bike. I absolutely shit myself once I had to move through 5 gears instead of two which you use in your L's tests. I had ridden bikes years and years ago, but hadn't sat on one in 25 years or so.

Just seeing the road under you at 60k was frightening enough. So with all that going on, concentrating on what you're doing is quite hard too. If you could go on a road test with your tester, it might prepare you a bit better. Dunno what they could do though.

I am lucky now I have a lot of experience around me, and I am always asking advice, or they are offering support.

Cheers

Lisa