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| New motorbike test is under fire | New motorbike test is under fire |
| (39 minutes later) | |
| The government is under pressure to re-think its new motorcycle test following a series of crashes in the first few weeks of its use. | The government is under pressure to re-think its new motorcycle test following a series of crashes in the first few weeks of its use. |
| Some instructors blame a new manoeuvre known as the "swerve test" which they say is dangerous and ill-thought out. | Some instructors blame a new manoeuvre known as the "swerve test" which they say is dangerous and ill-thought out. |
| It aims to test riders' skill at avoiding obstacles in the road. | It aims to test riders' skill at avoiding obstacles in the road. |
| The Driving Standards Agency says it is important for novice riders to carry it out to help reduce the number of motorcyclists killed on the road. | The Driving Standards Agency says it is important for novice riders to carry it out to help reduce the number of motorcyclists killed on the road. |
| It said the test was designed by professionals in conjunction with the motorcycle industry and 300 trials were carried out before it was brought in. | It said the test was designed by professionals in conjunction with the motorcycle industry and 300 trials were carried out before it was brought in. |
| During the test, learners have to reach 50km/h (31.2mph), then perform a swerve, on special test centre tracks. | |
| I have been riding for 30 years and I would not want to do the test they have to do Barry KenwardInstructor | I have been riding for 30 years and I would not want to do the test they have to do Barry KenwardInstructor |
| But some instructors say that if riders brake and swerve at the same time they are likely to come off, particularly in the wet. | But some instructors say that if riders brake and swerve at the same time they are likely to come off, particularly in the wet. |
| The new test was brought in at the end of April and in the first three and a half weeks there were 15 incidents during the exam, with at least one rider left with broken bones. | The new test was brought in at the end of April and in the first three and a half weeks there were 15 incidents during the exam, with at least one rider left with broken bones. |
| The Motorcycle Action Group says it has warned the government that the test is unsafe and asked for changes. | The Motorcycle Action Group says it has warned the government that the test is unsafe and asked for changes. |
| Its national chairman, Paul Turner, told the BBC News website the new test had been brought in without enough consultation or consideration for riders. | Its national chairman, Paul Turner, told the BBC News website the new test had been brought in without enough consultation or consideration for riders. |
| "We don't mind improvements in the test which will make for better riders, but putting people at risk during the test is ludicrous." | "We don't mind improvements in the test which will make for better riders, but putting people at risk during the test is ludicrous." |
| He said the new test had been very poorly implemented as many test centres were not ready, and the number of centres had been reduced from 200 to 60. | He said the new test had been very poorly implemented as many test centres were not ready, and the number of centres had been reduced from 200 to 60. |
| Unsafe acceleration? | |
| Phil Woolley, 28, of Liverpool, told the BBC News website that he recently failed his test after completing the swerve slightly below the required 50km/h. | |
| But the size of test centre sites made it difficult to reach the speed without accelerating unsafely, he said. | |
| "Do it at a controlled speed and you will almost certainly fail," he said. "Or you just floor it as hard as you can and there is a good chance you will pass, but also a risk you will come off." | |
| The hazard avoidance manoeuvre was the only part of the test he had failed, Mr Woolley said. | |
| "I know I can ride a bike, so it's frustrating," he said. | |
| Barry Kenward, deputy chairman of the Driving Instructors Democratic Union, has put in a Freedom of Information request to find out how many accidents have occurred on the test so far. | Barry Kenward, deputy chairman of the Driving Instructors Democratic Union, has put in a Freedom of Information request to find out how many accidents have occurred on the test so far. |
| He said: "In the dry the test is fine but the stopping distance is not enough for the stop to be carried out safely when it is wet. | He said: "In the dry the test is fine but the stopping distance is not enough for the stop to be carried out safely when it is wet. |
| "I have been riding for 30 years and I would not want to do the test they have to do." | "I have been riding for 30 years and I would not want to do the test they have to do." |
| Have you taken the new motorcycle test? What did you make of it? Are you facing the test and apprehensive about it? Send us your comments using the form below. | Have you taken the new motorcycle test? What did you make of it? Are you facing the test and apprehensive about it? Send us your comments using the form below. |
| The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions | The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions |