Proposed changes to motorbike licences

**pete376403** · 29th September 2010, 20:01

Stoney (brent) as Wgtn BRONZ pres had a fairly good interview on national radio just before the 6pm news

**Swoop** · 29th September 2010, 20:13

Originally Posted by bogan

There should be some way of discriminating between those who aren't quite safe enough to drive/ride on the road, and those who are!

That is meant to be the assessment/test to obtain a licence. Just a shame it is made to cater to the lowest common denominator (scratchy test, anyone?), is abused by corrupt assessors' (AA, anyone?) who will take bribes to pass applicants, and this whole scheme has very little base in training a person to drive/ride. So long as you can jump through the hoops and convey enough to the assessor that you do know what you are doing... "have a licence to kill/drive".

That is if people even bother to get a licence in the first place...

**rustyrobot** · 29th September 2010, 20:28

Originally Posted by pete376403

Stoney (brent) as Wgtn BRONZ pres had a fairly good interview on national radio just before the 6pm news

Cool, thanks. Found the link here...
http://podcast.radionz.co.nz/ckpt/ck...safety-048.mp3

**BuckBuck#1** · 29th September 2010, 21:54

Bravo Zulu - Well Done Brent.

**sleemanj** · 29th September 2010, 23:39

the LAM was supposed to have been introduced by now already, Labour first presented this plan in their last term (second year thereof from memory), it was discussed here at KB at the time, with people saying things like the bottom had dropped out of the 250 market.

Then National won the election, and promptly put a stop to the idea (the cynic says, in order to get ACC increased first), it seems now that they have rolled out the chestnut again (and the right-hand-rule changes, I'm fairly sure that was also discussed by labour) with another 2 year lead time.

While it might happen, this time, I'm not going to be holding my breath.

**Dadpole** · 29th September 2010, 23:56

Originally Posted by sleemanj

While it might happen, this time, I'm not going to be holding my breath.

I imagine all that will happen for a while will be compulsory fluro vests (building site standards) and increased costs and penalties.
In short; the usual "Do nothing but make 'em pay" option.

**fleebag4@** · 30th September 2010, 15:16

I got my licence in the UK (Learners on Max 125cc and full licence done on a 500cc plus) The learners consisted of one day doing the basics in a car park and the 2nd on the road. Firstly it was quite back roads and then thrown into the main traffic. All the time the guy chatting to me in the ear piece which was great. I cursed and that cost, but well worth it! When i went for my full licence, well, it was 2 days on a 500cc (Have to take your full test on a 500cc plus) with the same principal of riding around. Always 2 people to one instructor and i think thats a great idea to have here. Saying that, my partner just got her learners and i can say i'm damn scared of her getting a bigger bike as she should never of passed and even she said so! So i'll be teaching her myself first.

The other thing thats crazy, is that the ACC wasn't made to discriminate which it does now and why 2 separate rules for cars and bikes! johnny can still drive a suped up V8 on his learners whilst our learners struggle on there 250cc!!!! Just crazy! And now they're finding new ways to mak money out of bikers as they know how passionate we are and willing to pay the price

If you're like me, well, then you'll be hurting with the reg as i have a 650, so either sell and get a 600 or upgrade to something worth paying reg for

**Conquiztador** · 30th September 2010, 20:58

"The Government has also announced changes to motorcycle and moped laws including a power to weight restriction for novice riders, as well as:

* Tougher motorcycle licence tests which are also more motorcycle specific;

*Removing the option for motorcycles to complete an approved driving course, and so cutting the amount of time they spend on a restricted motorcycle licence;

* Motorcycle specific training to be introduced as an alternative to the standard resting regime;

*Requiring all novice motorcyclists, regardless of age, to be subject to the same minimum time requirements.

Currently over 25 year olds have a shorter time requirement on the restricted licence.

* Require all moped riders to complete a moped handling skills test along with a motorcycle learner theory test

*Introduce refresher training options and promote high visibility and protecting clothing benefits.

Power to weight restrictions would allow novice riders a greater range of bikes that were suited to their skill levels, Mr Joyce said.

"Motorcyclists are 20 times more at risk of being involved in a fatal or serious injury crash than car drivers per kilometre driven.``

And the supporters of this are...

**Tryhard** · 30th September 2010, 21:15

Originally Posted by AllanB

Power to weight - cool - learners can get 883 Harleys

Actually I know of a couple of guys on learners riding big-block HD's.

LOL a learner on a Harley! Will the take in to account the riders weight?

A diet is usually cheaper than carbon fibre parts

**dogsnbikes** · 30th September 2010, 22:29

Originally Posted by Tryhard

LOL a learner on a Harley!

Look at mid age crises and your find basically that.....

We have a guy at work who has just brought a FJ1200,whats the fuss he hasn't ridden a bike for almost 35 years and then it was a 250cc triumph,despite being told too get something smaller to refresh his skill,he wasn't interested as he say he has a bike licence.....

Bloody easy too change Rules,Its Attitudes that are hardest......

**Ronin** · 2nd October 2010, 11:30

Originally Posted by GOONR

Yeah, I've already thought about flicking my 250cc in a few months and getting something in the 600cc range. The 250cc will be worth diddly squat if LAM comes in.

They are worth diddly squat now... People do pay far to much for them though.

**MarkH** · 2nd October 2010, 19:08

Originally Posted by PrincessBandit

Don't get me wrong, I'm not necessarily bitching about bikes getting tougher rules, but how come car drivers don't????

I have to agree - fair enough that we want motorcyclists to be better skilled to be safer, but surely we also want car drivers to learn not to kill us? I regularly see appalling lack of driving skill on NZ roads, fuckwits can't manage to grasp the most basic concepts - why not toughen up the requirements for those people that guide a tonne & a half (or more) of steel & glass at 100kph on public roads.

Motorcyclists are less likely to kill someone else than car drivers, to me that is good enough reason to require better driving standards from car drivers!

**baptist** · 2nd October 2010, 21:58

I have had my learners now for just a couple of months. I passed the handling skills and felt there was no way I could go on the road, I had been on a 125cc for a couple of hours and never out of 2nd... I had an additional riderskills training session before going out and it was worth every $$$$ I really believe the handling skills, if nothing else, has to be more stringent. I have also driven cars for many years and feel the driving standard I see everyday from car drivers is staggering, if bike tests need to be harder, and I think they do, then car tests certainly need to be re evaluated. A learner in a car my have to have a supervisor but I do not think someone sitting in the front seat is going to react fast enough to stop an accident unless they have duel controls (not an option on the average Honda Civic) and so new car drivers cerainly need to have some kind of limit on the cars they can drive, stop them getting into turbos, modifieds and rotaries for a start.... jut my thoughts.