Mopeds limited to 28MPH?

I thought it was - at least, I've done it a couple of times and was under that impression. The place I go to in Dronfield is excellent.

Not sure how regular testing of drivers would weed those out?

I believe it's for all powered two wheelers but depending on your licence status:

So, my Mrs was able to ride a moped on her 'grandmother' full car licence rights without an L plate or requiring the CBT. However, to take her bike test for her full licence she did. I didn't have to for either.

Daughter had to do the CBT to get out on the road at all but then was able to ride a 125 on L plates for up to two years before required another CBT, or take the full test (which she did). However, because of her age at the time she could only ride smaller (hp) bikes for a couple of years (she had a 250 MZ) before then being able to ride anything (she now has a 600 Bandit).

The current rules are even more complicated and the CBT is changing again soon but it's all generally supposed to make things safer (especially for those who don't choose to progress up though a range of bikes by their own choice).

My first bike was a Honda P50 that hand a top speed of 28 mph and I rode that everywhere for over 6 months. The NSU Quickly after that was a bit faster at ~35 mph.

But they were probably 'different times' and there was certainly less traffic on the roads than these is today and the people driving / riding were often more involved in the whole process (even if they didn't want to be).

Cheers, T i m

Sit them in front of a specially written driving simulator done on a game console connected to a large screen TV (or maybe two). Test hazard perception, speed limit observance, behaviour to other road users.

Decrease the test interval for the worst failures. Two strikes then off. Etc...

. . .

Nah, all this is my usenet armchair 1984 Mk2 dream. Chances of any politician actually running with this and avoiding kick back from the motor industry and other vested interests is admittedly nil.

It certainly wasn't common to have all those delivery drivers screaming around on mopeds being paid on a per delivery basis.

As I said, most business insurance won't allow a learner to use a company vehicle. For pretty obvious reasons. So why are learner drivers allowed to use mopeds on company business?

Have you ever used this sort of simulator likely to be affordable for this sort of thing? Ie, not a proper flight simulator type idea?

They have about as much of a link to reality as the average game you'd play on them.

You would also have to ban horses (try getting that past the house of lords), bicycles and pedestrians from roads without footpaths.

And how about all vehicles with amber warning lamps? One of this counties biggest industries is dependent on tractors with flashing amber beacons to get the crops in to store.

True, they were on bicycles. ;-)

Dunno ... maybe there are special policies for such things ... that or they are leased to them and riding them on their own policies with a 'commercial use' addition?

Cheers, T i m

Honda definitely did one with the reversible pedal - just pull outwards, rotate and realease inwards. My dad had one for getting to work during the 1970's oil crisis and the petrol "rationing." With the pedal roatated as a footrest, it looked and was used just like a motorbike.

SteveW

A lot of people just would wait until they could have a car.

Definitely should have a higher level driving test for anyone carrying passengers, taxi or private hire.

All drivers should have a 2nd test after 1 year with full license to check they had progressed and not lost the basic skills that the current test is for.

[...]

AFAIK, every local council requires taxi and private hire drivers to have an additional test.

I'm not sure how that would improve safety; once the basics of driving are learnt, it's attitude not ability that often deteriorates.

I've driven two separate advanced driving instructors on a social basis. Both asked me why I didn't do my advanced test. I told them that I considered it pointless unless they were going to accompany me on every journey I made.

Chris

yamaha fsie was the same, suzuki AP50 too. Both were practically impossible to actually ride using the pedals, but they met the legal requirements are were more comfortable to ride and safer, it also allowed normal toe operated gear changes and foot operated rear brake.

I don't agree, I learnt stuff on the IAM course that has definitely improved my driving overall.

[snip]

But presumably one could take the test without having studied the course ...?

Perhaps the advanced driving instructors were simply trying to drum up business?

I doubt that even 1 in a hundred ordinary drivers would pass the test (which is conducted by Class 1 Police drivers) without any instruction.

The instructors are all (afaik) unpaid, so there is no profit making involved, the fees that are charged are for admin and meeting places, plus the costs of getting in specialists to give talks. Plus a test fee, which goes in part to the tester.

The instructor I had was in her late eighties and was so 'with it' that it was all a pleasure to learn from her, and she did not hang about in her own driving.

I regarded the minor costs as a bargain, some insurance companies make a discount for IAM members, so it might even pay for itself.

Probably not the method of choice, but I found the speed awareness courses good (done 2 over the past 10 years).

And motorcycle lessons are as much about observation and survival as actually riding the thing (IME). Also maintaining the bike to ensure safety.

[...]

Can you honestly say you apply all those skills every day to every journey?

I'm sure the majority of IAM-trained drivers don't.

Chris

[...]

I understand your cynicism, but one of the instructors was a friend who would have done it for free.

Chris

Not IAM, but I went (as did half of the rest of the UK drivers) on a speed awareness course.

Useful course, however, the insurance company asked me about that, and I can probably assume my insurance went up because of my attendance. Cheaper than points, but...