xsmotorcycleschool.co.uk blog

It’s the standard alibi for pulling out on a biker, but it could be half true!.

Try your observation skills on this video clip.

Well did you see all of them??

I’ve always said that you cannot go wrong by overestimating the stupidity of the other road user and here’s the proof.

Driver Insanity

These first clips were all taken on the same day, admittedly it was an icy road but this second lot don’t have that excuse, this is pure incompetence.
Driver Insanity 2

Remember that we have to share the roads with drivers like these.

The “Moneysupermarket” comparison website is running a draw for the next 4 weeks.

Anyone taking out a policy through them between now and 15th September will be put into a draw, one draw for each week and the winner will get his policy FREE.

You can get details on their website at:–

www.Money Supermarket.com/c/motorbike-insurance/competition/

They say that they are comparing premiums etc across over 30 insurers so they’ve got to be worth a try.

The Driving Test both for bikes and cars is being changed as of 4th October 2010 by introducing an “Independent Driving” element.

In this the candidate is told basically to “Follow the signs to…..” and left to get on with it.

There is a page up on this on the DSA web site, Click Here where they “explain” their intentions with link to a “You Tube” video with a mock test and candidate interviews, Direct link to You Tube Click Here..

Hopefully the implementation of this will be less “problematic” than that of their previous “improvements”.

There is no mention as to an increase in the test fee to cover the additional costs of this addition.

Dateline Wednesday 9th June 2010

It was announced today that a review has been ordered into the Motorcycle Test system.

Recently released figures show that since the implementation of the new system last year the number of tests being taken has plummeted to a half of the previous years figure and that there have been around 300 reported accidents during “Module 1″, the controversial new part of the Test that is done on a safe enclosed yard at one of the new specialised Multi Purpose Test Centre of which there are 45 open to cover the entire British Isles.

The review was ordered following a meeting between Road Safety Minister Mike Penning and representatives from the BMF, MAG and the Motorcycle Industry Association.

The Dft news release is at http://tinyurl.com/392xepf

The news release from the BMF is at http://tinyurl.com/2wqulz3.

The news release from MAG is at http://tinyurl.com/38pymer

The Department of Transport state that “The precise scope and terms of reference of the review will be determined following discussions with motorcycle groups and other interested parties, with the aim of concluding the review by the autumn.” and are asking for any views to be sent in to them by e-mail before 31st July 2010 at :- RUSD4consultation@dft.gsi.gov.uk

Short notice I know but I’ve only just found out.

Once Again Northumbria Policwe are running their free advice sessions or “Cornering Clinics” where you can just turn up and get useful advice about riding your bike safely and well.

There are two on on this weekend, 24th and 25th April 2010.

Saturday 24th is in Morpeth

Sunday 25th is in 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

The Transport Committee of the House of Commons has today (March 23rd) published a report castigating the DSA and the DfT for the way in which they brought in the new motorcycle test which is based on European legislation, the “Second EU Driving Licence Directive”.

The full report may be accessed at this link.

In the full report it reveals that up to the end of January there had been 212 reportable accidents since the start of Module 1 tests, 194 of which had been in the high speed swerve and emergency stop “exercises”. This causes the committee to comment that “The rate of incidents and accidents occurring in Module 1 tests need to be monitored carefully, and the DSA needs to react without delay if incident levels do not decline”

There’s a lot to read so if you want to just jump to the final “Conclusions and Recommendations” page then try this link where you find comments such as “There is little doubt that the Government has exceeded what was necessary to comply with the EU Directive”, “bizarre”, “confusing for candidates”, “The off-road motorcycle test effectively bars candidates from adapting their riding to reflect the prevailing weather, road and other circumstances” among others.

You may gather that the report does not exactly sing the praises of the DSA!

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.