Tasmanian plans for bike licence laws slated

[Bob]

A report by the Monash University Accident Research Centre, recommending motorcyclists must first have their full car driver's licence was panned by road safety groups.

Research leader Dr Narelle Haworth said getting a motorcycle licence should be seen as a higher step than obtaining a car licence "The principle is you start someone off on the least risky things and as they become more experienced you let them do more.”

"When you get a full licence you can get a truck licence because it's more difficult, so if you follow that logic then motorcycle riding comes after car driving."

Dr Haworth said someone who had a full car licence would be a safer rider "They are more mature and have experience of how the road system works, so we expect they would be safer."

RACT chief executive Greg Goodman said the idea was not practical, particularly for people who did not want to drive a car.

"The current system is adequate," Mr Goodman said. "The main issue is that riders are taught properly."

I bet the research team at Monash doesn’t have a single biker amongst them…

[Waylander]

...
RACT chief executive Greg Goodman said the idea was not practical, particularly for people who did not want to drive a car.

"The current system is adequate," Mr Goodman said. "The main issue is that riders are taught properly." ...

Good on that man. Finally someone with common sense.

[John]

RACT chief executive Greg Goodman said the idea was not practical, particularly for people who did not want to drive a car.

"The current system is adequate," Mr Goodman said. "The main issue is that riders are taught properly." ...

I think that man nailed it! Although issues don't only extend to only the learner riders, most practise their skills (with a few exceptions, including me) the main problem in every country is that car drivers aren't aware of the rider's/dont care - they need to be put on a bike first and shoved into some busy town, so they can see what we have to put up with... (imo)

[eliot-ness]

I think they've got it the wrong way round. Everyone should have to ride bikes for at least one year before driving a car. Real roadcraft cannot be learned sitting in air-conditioned comfort, listening to a cd and chatting to passengers. Skills are learned by concentration, being aware of what's going on around you and knowledge of road conditions, skills rarely learned by car only drivers but taken for granted by motor cyclists.

[Waylander]

Skills are learned by concentration, being aware of what's going on around you and knowledge of road conditions, skills rarely learned by car only drivers but taken for granted by motor cyclists.

You've got a point but I wouldn't say we take them for granted, more a necessity for survival.

[zadok]

I agree with the previous comments. Riding gives you more awareness which (hopefully) transfers to driving.

[Pixie]

I agree with the previous comments. Riding gives you more awareness which (hopefully) transfers to driving.

Yes, plus the idiots who are never going to be good motorists will not get the chance to be hazards in cages.

[Pathos]

I developed my road awareness from 7 years of cycling. The best way to test how you can read drivers is to cycle in town with no lights dressed in black (better than a scary movie).

Problem is that all the tests are done at low speed, there are no high speed tests. and who waits for their full before hitting the highway?