xsmotorcycleschool.co.uk blog

Proof that riding a bike is good for you , an article from the AFP news network:-

Motorcycles help keep you young

(AFP) – Mar 4, 2009

TOKYO (AFP) — Riding motorcycles helps keep drivers young by invigorating their brains, the scientist behind popular “Brain Training” computer software said Wednesday, citing a new scientific study.

“The driver’s brain gets activated by riding motorbikes” in part because it requires heightened  alertness, Ryuta Kawashima said after his research team and Yamaha Motor conducted a string of experiments involving middle-aged men.

“In a convenient and easy environment, the human mind and body get used to setting the hurdle low,” he warned. “Our final conclusion is that riding motorcycles can lead to smart ageing.”

Kawashima is the designer of “Brain Training” software, which incorporates quizzes and other games and is available on the Nintendo DS game console under the name “Brain Age” in North America.

A self-professed motorcycle fan, 49-year-old Kawashima cited a new study conducted jointly by Yamaha and Tohoku University, for which he works.

One experiment involved 22 men, all in their 40s and 50s, who held motorcycle licences but had not taken a ride for at least a decade.

They were randomly split into two groups — one asked to resume riding motorcycles in everyday life for two months, and another that kept using bicycles or cars.

“The group that rode motorbikes posted higher marks in cognitive function tests,” Kawashima said.

In one test, which required the men to remember a set of numbers in reverse order, the riders’ scores jumped by more than 50 percent in two months, while the non-riders’ marks deteriorated slightly, he said.

The riders also said they made fewer mistakes at work and felt happier.

“Mental care is a very big issue in modern society,” said Kawashima. “I think we made an interesting stir here as data showed you can improve your mental condition simply by using motorbikes to commute.”

Copyright © 2010 AFP. All rights reserved.

Having regard to all the hoohooraw about Module 1  I thought you might like to see the natural follow on to it, and remember that this is being done against the clock!.

Round the Cones

We are required to wear a crash helmet any time that we are riding our bikes.

Just how safe are these helmets?.

They are made to any one of several standards, each of which can claim to be the best.

Here’s a link (Helmet Safety) to an article on just that subject that you may find worth reading before you buy that new, high priced, helmet.

Just found this listing on “How to Survive on a Motorcycle”.

Remember this is of American origin so watch for the reversal between left hand and right hand drive in the suggestions.

A number of cities and towns across Britain now allow motorcycles to use the bus lanes.

This idea has also been promoted as desireable by the Government.

Peugeot Scooters are running a poll on their website proposing
that bikes should be allowed in all bus lanes nationwide, which
would be both easier to understand and to police than the current
situation.

To date they have received around 3000 positive responses already
and have asked for help in gaining as many votes as possible,
after all the more votes in favour the better.

Could you spare a few seconds to vote? It’s a simple yes/no and
you are not asked for personal details,.

The site is at: http://www.peugeotmoto.co.uk/

This has been been pressed for over several years now and having a
manufacturer pressing for it as well can only be a benefit.

01 Sept :- This poll is now closed.

On You Tube I found a series of clips taking you through the new test.

Looks as though it may be from an official DSA source, but it has been made before they decided to split the test into two parts, what they are calling “Modules”.

Anyway there are 13 of these clips  so here are the links to them, once each clip has finished running, just click on the “Back” button on your browser to return to this blog posting:-

(Added 15-5-09)

This has definitely been taken from the DSA  video and so is “Crown Copyright” material.

(1) Introduction
(2) New DSA Bike Test Part 1
(3) New DSA Bike Test Part 2
(4) New DSA Bike Test Part 3
(5) New DSA Bike Test Part 4
(6) New DSA Bike Test Part 5
(7) New DSA Bike Test Part 6
(8) New DSA Bike Test Part 7
(9) New DSA Bike Test Part 8
(10) New DSA Bike Test Part 9
(11) New DSA Bike Test Part 10
(12) New DSA Bike Test Part 11
(13) New DSA Bike Test Part 12
(14) New DSA Bike Test Part 13

(These files are DSA copyright)

A video clip showing a Japanese driving test

Driving Test

Cornering Clinics 2009

Further to the “Clinics” they ran last year, Northumbria Police are once again running their ‘Cornering Clinics’ in 2009

This time here are to be eight events, four being held in April, and a further four in August/September.

A “Clinic” starts at 10:00am with a presentation and Q&A session, this is followed by the option of a free observed ride with an observer from one of the advanced riding organizations.

If you wish to attend one of these events, then all you need to do is turn up on the day.

Dates

04 April 2009: Morpeth
05 April 2009: Washington
18 April 2009: Morpeth
19 April 2009: Washington

29 August 2009: Morpeth
30 August 2009: Washington
05 September 2009: Morpeth
06 September 2009: Washington

Morpeth venue

Northumberland County Council Offices,
County Hall,
Morpeth,
Northumberland,
NE61 2EF

Click here for Map of Morpeth venue

Washington venue

Tyne & Wear Fire & Rescue Service Headquarters,
Nissan Way,
Sunderland,
SR5 3QY

Click here for Map of Washington Venue

Further to their “Consultation Document” the DSA are going ahead with their changes to the motorcycle test.

Their new “new test” is now to commence on 27^th April, with bookings available from 30^th March, after which it will be necessary to first take and pass the initial “off road” test at one of their official “Off Road Manoeuvring Areas”

(Click on maps for an enlarged view)

.

Having succeeded with this you can then book your “On Road Test”, not necessarily at the same “Driving  Test Centre” because with splitting the test it has been decided to offer the “On Road” part at a number of the older Driving Test Centres as well as at the new MPTC’s.

As can be seen from the maps, if you live to the North of the Hull to Liverpool line, cover for the first part of the test is “sparse” and  you are still faced with a l-o-n-g ride to a Test Centre but things are a little better for the second part.

So the procedure to a Full motorcycle licence after taking a CBT will be to :-

1. Book and pass a “Written Theory Test”

2. Book and pass an “Off Road Manoeuvring Test”

3. Book and pass a “Practical On-Road Riding Test”

In spite of a majority of the Consultation’s replies being to the contrary the DSA still intend to raise the test fee, so that the fee will have increased for a motorcycle test by 52% while in the same period the car test fee will only have increased by 12.5%.

Wouldn’t it be nice if we could get a pay increase of 12.5% this year, never mind one of 52%! it’s better than working for a Bank!

The British Motorcyclists Federation has issued this news release today on the new Practical Motorcycle Riding Test and the proposed changes to it:- BMF News Release

These changes are intended to come in before the commencement of the new test on Monday 27th April this year