Right To Ride’s Trevor Baird attended the official launch of Compulsory Basic Training (CBT) by the Environment Minister Edwin Poots at Parliament Buildings, Stormont on the 16th February 2011.

CBT will be officially introduced on Monday 21st February 2011 and will fundamentally change training requirements for those wishing to ride a motorcycle as a learner rider on public roads.

Mr Poots said the new training scheme was essential to improve safety for all road users and that, "Road safety is my top priority, and I believe that this initiative will help us to further drive down deaths and serious injuries on the roads. Biking can be a great experience, but ridden inappropriately, a motorcycle becomes a lethal weapon.”

The minister added that, "The introduction of CBT will improve learners’ riding skills because they will receive training in a safe environment before proceeding to ride on public roads. The evidence shows that the scheme will improve safety for both motorcyclists and other road users."

The introduction of CBT will mean that new moped and motorcycle riders will not be permitted to ride unaccompanied on public roads without valid CBT certificates. CBT can only be delivered by a registered Approved Motorcycle Instructor (AMI).

“However those with provisional motorcycle or moped licences issued prior to 21 February 2011 will have 12 months to either complete a CBT course or obtain a full motorcycle licence.”

 “If they choose the CBT course option they will be entitled to ride with L-plates for a period of two years or until they have passed their practical test.”

The CBT course has three modules:

• introduction and practical training, for example touch and feel
• practical riding (either off-road or on-road in a safe environment) and preparation for on-road riding (theory)
• practical on-road riding

Right To Ride also welcomed the continued recognition by the department that, “It should be noted that half of all motorcyclist casualties are caused by other drivers.” The department has also encouraged motorists to give extra consideration to motorcyclists through campaigns such as the 'Underneath' campaign where drivers are reminded to look out for bikes when overtaking, at junctions, when turning right and when emerging onto main roads.

At Right To Ride we have been reporting over the last year on the proposals for CBT and along with the British Motorcyclists Federation have had our views represented on the stakeholder group that has delivered the CBT scheme by David McMcGuckin from Ballymena Rider Training.

We believe that initial rider training in whatever form it is presented, is crucial for novice riders. CBT will provide “off road” and “on road” training elements, giving new riders the basic instruction of how to handle a motorcycle on public roads.

There will be a cost to this of course, but we would expect that this cost will be kept to a level that is affordable. 

For more information see Right To Ride on CBT