Monday 27th June 2011 sees a change not only to the practical riding test for learner motorcyclists but also for the practical driving test for car, large goods vehicle (LGV), passenger carrying vehicle (PCV) tests and the approved driving instructor (ADI) driving ability (sometimes called 'part two').

The changes see the introduction of “Independent Driving”, where the test candidate has to take responsibility for route finding by either following:

·         traffic signs

·         a series of directions

·         a combination of both

The idea behind “Independent Driving” is to help make the driving test more representative of real driving to allow test candidates to demonstrate their ability to drive safely in realistic driving situations, rather than memorising a particular test route. The Driver & Vehicle Agency (DVA) will no longer publish details of test routes.

At present the test for motorcyclists is conducted by an examiner following the rider on a bike giving turn by turn directions via radio.

With the introduction of “Independent Driving” at certain sections of the test route, you will be stopped and told that you are going to ride independently, without step-by-step instructions from the examiner, for 10 minutes.

Environment Minister Alex Attwood said, “Independent driving assessment will encourage a sense of responsibility, awareness and individual decision-making amongst learner drivers, in order to prepare them when driving on their own.”

Right To Ride’s Trevor Baird says, ”Riders who are riding on a provisional licence or who have completed CBT (Compulsory Basic Training) already have a sense of independence and individual decision-making. However at Right To Ride we welcome the introduction of “Independent Driving” if only to check that motorcycle test candidates have confidence in their own capabilities.”

We also welcome the Driver & Vehicle Agency’s (DVA) comment that “Independent Driving” is not a test of how test candidates follow directions. The DVA have said that it doesn't matter if a test candidate doesn’t remember every direction or if they go the wrong way, it won't affect the result of the test, unless a driving fault is committed. Also, if a test candidate does not have detailed knowledge of the test area or there are poor or obscured traffic signs, directions will be given by the examiner.

Last but not least there has been no increase in test fees or in the time taken to complete the test. If you are a learner rider your AMI (Approved Motorcycle Instructor) should have details of the changes regarding “Independent Driving”.

Information

NIDirect - Independent driving.

NIDirect - Motorcycle practical test explained.

List of AMI (Approved Motorcycle Instructor) DVA website.

Approved Motorcycle Instructors Association (N.I.).

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Hastings - Sunday 18th September 2011 - The UK’s first National Lesbian and Gay Biker Rally

Are you a gay man or lesbian with a motorbike? Do you enjoy sharing your passion for bikes and bikers? Want to make some new mates for future biking trips?

On September 18th the UK’s first National Gay and Lesbian Biker Rally takes place in the great seaside town of Hastings - home to one of the UK’s largest biker meets. It’s all happening around the Marina Pavilion situated right on Hastings seafront with dedicated parking and enough space for hundreds of bikers.

A big afternoon barbecue will be available and a few surprises are planned to keep you all entertained! Why not plan a lovely ride down and make a day of it.
It’s going to be a really great day and lots of biker fun.

www.gaybikerrally.co.uk

Following the success of last years inaugural event, Ace Cafe London is again delighted to be able to confirm attendance at this years High Voltage Festival, the prestigious rock festival held in east London's Victoria Park, where the legendary Judas Priest will be headlining on Saturday 23rd July having chosen the 2011 High Voltage Festival as the stage for their final festival show ever in the UK. On Sunday 24th July the main stage headline feature are Dream Theater, a 2011 UK festival performance exclusive.

Alongside these exclusive headliners High Voltage will host a high quality line up of Classic Rock, Prog and Metal acts to include Black Country Communion, Michael Schenker Group, Jethro Tull, Caravan, Spock's Beard, Mostly Autumn, The Enid & Pallas, Curved Air, Neurosis, Electric Wizard, Thin Lizzy, QueensRyche, Thunder, and many more acts.

With an increased designated and dedicated area, to include bar, food and seating, the Ace Cafe London stage returns to High Voltage, together with a display of rare hot rods, cool motorbikes and the legendary Ronnie Lane Mobile Recording studio, housed in a vintage 1967 Airstream trailer, and responsible for recording The Stones, Led Zeppelin, The Who, Eric Clapton, Bob Marley and ... everyone!

Last year at the very first High Voltage Festival, Ace Cafe London & LMS partnership, curating the Ace stage, recorded live, Stephen Dale Petit (now famous as the man who saved The 100 Club, with Rolling Stone, Ronnie Wood) and legendary Ex-Police guitar player, Henry Padovani, now the principal judge on France's first ever X Factor show!

Once again the Ace will be located within a specially created Ace Cafe London "Rockers" experience area and marquee, creating a unique "Ace Corner", to include a Rockers Restaurant BBQ serving Ace sausages, burgers, soft drinks, tea & coffee.

This years Ace stage music line up at High Voltage, kicking down doors and letting in the light, features The Crazy World of Arthur Brown, Allegra Shock and thirteen year old guitar prodigy, Aaron Keylock, alongside the best rock ' roll DJ in town, from Noon to 9pm each day.

The cafe's special guests includes the feisty London Rockin' Rollers with their eight-wheeled thrills and spills and the tempestuous temptations of burlesque dancer Sophia St Villier.

Bikes, babes, brew, and bangin' rock n roll. The Ace Cafe London Stage - Bringing The Legend to You...

Pairs of tickets for the High Voltage Festival can be won at the cafe on Triumph, Harley and Hot Rod Nights commencing in May and running through to July.

Tickets:

For more info and deposit scheme, check out www.highvoltagefestival.com.

Over on the NIBikers.com forum riders have voiced their concerns regarding the practice, at MOT test centres, that  testers are lifting bikes fully onto their side stands to test front and rear wheels and bearings.

It was reported that one rider who complained about their bike being lifted in this manner had his bike failed the MOT and is apparently appealing on the grounds that the test centre is not equipped with adequate stands to do the job properly or safely.

While side stands on bikes may seem robust, concerns were raised that side stands are not designed to support the weight of the bike in this manner and could snap or bend the frame and side stand mounting.

One rider commented that the side stand on his KTM is bolted to the engine case, with many owners buying a relocation kit to take the pressure away from this point.

While as a rider, you may be capable of carrying out this manoeuvre, it is your responsibility if something happens, e.g. you drop the bike.  However would you let a total a total stranger do it? Who's at fault as they would claim they had your permission.

At Right To Ride, we do what we do and have fired of a letter to DVTA (Driver and Vehicle Testing Agency) to highlight riders concerns that, “Motorcyclists pay a fee to have their motorcycles tested and would expect that the items on the motorcycle that require to be tested are tested in a safe manner, both for themselves and your staff and there is no risk that damage could be caused to their machines.”

 Our main question was, “What is the policy for MOTing a motorcycle that by design and is fully type approved, that does not have or indeed is not required legally to have a centre stand fitted”?

The DVTA sent a prompt response, “We appreciate that you have brought to our attention the practice of using the motorcycle side stands to raise the road wheels off the ground to assist in the inspection of components.”

They went on to say, “Lifting devices have been provided to raise motorcycles that have no centre stands fitted, however it is recognised that such devices are not suitable for lifting all types of machines.

Where motorcycle road wheels cannot be raised safely from the ground, the examiner is limited to a visual inspection and assessment of components. The annual inspection is in the main a ‘visual inspection’, without any dismantling of vehicles or involving cumbersome processes, therefore there are a few types of motor vehicles and motorcycles which cannot be raised from the ground during the annual inspection.

The inspection of motorcycles is due to be reviewed and it is anticipated that new and improved procedures and methods of inspection will be implemented.

DVA Health & Safety Section has now been made aware of this practice of using the motorcycle side stands to raise the road wheels off the ground and Test Centres have been informed that such a method cannot be used.”

Although the MOT test and issued certificate confirms that your vehicle at the time of its test (as far as can be reasonably determined without dismantling) met the minimum acceptable environmental and road safety standards required by law, it doesn’t mean that the vehicle is roadworthy for the life of the certificate and isn’t a substitute for regular maintenance.

With the promise of a review and new and improved procedures and methods of inspection to be implemented for motorcycles, at Right To Ride we look forward to a test that gives motorcyclists value for money for our test fees (Full Test £22.00 – Retest £14.00), will pick up any faults, without the risk of damaging our bikes or us or them! In other words a proper job!

Right To Ride would like to thank the DVTA for sorting out this issue and riders at NIBikers.com for raising and discussing the issue.

www.nibikers.com

Ninety members of the branch brought their bikes to the lunchtime reception hosted by The Prince of Wales. The motorcycles created an unusual spectacle as they were parked up in the garden of Clarence House. The Prince of Wales tried one of the bikes out for size, revving the engine as the owner pointed out some of the bike’s finer features.

After the reception The Riders Branch Chairman, JJ Jarvis, said:

“We are honoured that The Prince of Wales has recognised the activities of the branch, including the role we take in paying respects to those who have lost their lives on active duty.

“The branch has over 4,440 members, and although they could not all attend, the recognition received today is for the contribution every one of them makes.

“It was a privilege to meet The Prince, who was very enthusiastic about our work and motorcycling. We left him an open invitation to join the branch as an honorary member anytime.”

The branch is the second largest of the Legion’s 2,800 branches. Members, including ex and current serving personnel and civilians, are brought together through their passion for motorcycling and support for The Royal British Legion. 

Branch activities include fundraising for the Poppy Appeal (£150,000 this year), raising the Legion’s profile at motorcycling events and joining with the people of Wootton Bassett to pay respects at repatriations through the town.

The Prince of Wales tries one of the Riders Branch bikes for size at a reception at Clarence House

www.britishlegion.org.uk