RE: PH2: Bike tests on the up
Friday 29th June 2012
The weather has done us no favours of late, but at least there looks to be some good news for the motorcycle industry: The Department for Transport has just released motorcycle test pass figures - and they are up!
PH2: Bike tests on the up
Rise in test passes shows more people are turning to biking
According to the DfT, in the financial year 2009-10 30,891 people passed their Module 1 test, a figure that grew to 37,233 in 2010-11 and 42,031 in 2011-12 - an increase of 36 per cent over the three years. And it looks as if these riders carried on and took their full test as Module 2 pass rates also increased from 26,474 in 2009/10 to 39,926 in 2011-12 - a 51 per cent rise.
Interestingly, the number of women taking their test grew to around 3,500 in both modules, so 1 in 11 of all new riders out there are girls. That can only be a good thing.
However there is some bad news... according to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, bike deaths dropped 10 per cent to 362 in 2011. Unfortunately, the number of serious injuries increased 10 per cent to 5,247.
It is worth mentioning, however, that pedestrian deaths rose 12 per cent to 453 - proving that it is more dangerous to walk to work than ride a bike...
Discussion
MagicalTrevor said:
I'd happily consider commuting by bike if it wasn't considered so dangerous!
Why would you not do something you want to, based on how other people consider it?? That makes no sense to me.I wanted to ride a bike so I did my bike test. Best thing I ever did as well. Do it, enjoy it, ignore others.
Disastrous said:
MagicalTrevor said:
I'd happily consider commuting by bike if it wasn't considered so dangerous!
Why would you not do something you want to, based on how other people consider it?? That makes no sense to me.I wanted to ride a bike so I did my bike test. Best thing I ever did as well. Do it, enjoy it, ignore others.
Could have something to do with the fact that the test changes at the end of this year so you have to take 2 tests to ride a bigger bike. Could be people getting in quickly just in case they want to ride in the future. I considered this until the wife gave me earache for suggesting it.
PS you can also get a free trial lesson.
PS you can also get a free trial lesson.
JayMan said:
Could have something to do with the fact that the test changes at the end of this year so you have to take 2 tests to ride a bigger bike. Could be people getting in quickly just in case they want to ride in the future. I considered this until the wife gave me earache for suggesting it.
PS you can also get a free trial lesson.
3 tests... (125 at 17, 47 bhp at 19, anything at 21)PS you can also get a free trial lesson.
bobbylondonuk said:
The only reason I dont commute with a bike is due to the kit storage and work clothes issue. I havent got a clue how to go about it.
Depends on how well dressed you need to be in the office. I have a pear of Draggin' jeans, which look like combats, but have Kevlar sewn into them. I have a pair of shoes under my desk and leave a coat on the coat hooks. All i need to carry with me is a pair of cheap plastic over-trousers under the bike's seat, just in case it looks like rain.I ride in, jump off, take off my boots and hang up my bike jacket. My lid goes under my desk. Swap shoes. Job done.
A top box is better as all of this stuff can be carried around with you.
Hooli said:
Disastrous said:
MagicalTrevor said:
I'd happily consider commuting by bike if it wasn't considered so dangerous!
Why would you not do something you want to, based on how other people consider it?? That makes no sense to me.I wanted to ride a bike so I did my bike test. Best thing I ever did as well. Do it, enjoy it, ignore others.
I think insurance has a lot to do with it. A friend of ours, his son was being quoted £2500 + for insurance on a car of approximately £1200 value, he's bought a honda 125 for £1200 and his insurance is around the £500 mark. Because of this he was able to secure an apprenticeship at an engineering firm 12 miles away, but with out transport I dont think the commute would have been feesable due to the rural location and lack of public transport. Bikes still providing a cost effective means of travel, much as it was for me 30 years ago!!
mrdelmonti said:
CBR JGWRR said:
The real reason why is the f
k up next year...
I think so, it was the final push I needed to get my tests booked instead of waiting until next year like I had originally planned.k up next year...It's almost garanteed that there will be zero or almost zero tests next year, aside from DAS riders.
zeb said:
I think insurance has a lot to do with it. A friend of ours, his son was being quoted £2500 + for insurance on a car of approximately £1200 value, he's bought a honda 125 for £1200 and his insurance is around the £500 mark. Because of this he was able to secure an apprenticeship at an engineering firm 12 miles away, but with out transport I dont think the commute would have been feesable due to the rural location and lack of public transport. Bikes still providing a cost effective means of travel, much as it was for me 30 years ago!!
Yes i hadn't thought of that.My fazer cost me £1500 and insurance is roughly £100 third party. £56 to tax and 50-55 mpg.
MagicalTrevor said:
Hooli said:
Disastrous said:
MagicalTrevor said:
I'd happily consider commuting by bike if it wasn't considered so dangerous!
Why would you not do something you want to, based on how other people consider it?? That makes no sense to me.I wanted to ride a bike so I did my bike test. Best thing I ever did as well. Do it, enjoy it, ignore others.
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