Motorcycling is slowly dying

[PT1984]

Networkgeek said:

I'm 36 and just bought my first bike (Huskvarna Svartpilen 125cc). I have just passed my theory test and looking to book the MOD1, then MOD2. I had a bit of a lengthy conversation with my bike school about why the MOD1 isn't combined into the CBT. My thinking is the CBT isn't enough to be safe on the road and I personally felt I didn't have enough training after my CBT.

I intend to commute on my bike once I'm more comfortable being around so much traffic, currently I'm practicing low speed manoeuvres and general road riding discipline.

I've covered about 150 miles since collecting my bike, I can see why this is a dangerous way to travel and I now firmly agree everyone should learn how to ride a motorbike.

You are absolutely correct. The CBT is not enough for a 16 year old to get on a moped or 17 on a 125 geared bike. I was surprised at how exposed I felt on the road, and I have 20 years driving under my expanding belt line. Especially as it’s not a test is it. Just a (half day!) course.

[Biker9090]

Bob_Defly said:

You can't get a bike license at 18?

You can get an A1 Licence at 17 but that only allows you to ride a crappy 14hp 125. You now have to wait until 19 to get an A2 which allows up to 47hp and (I think) 24 for unrestricted CAT A - albeit if you've done your A2 at 19 you can do your A at 21......

[gareth_r]

Bob_Defly said:

You can't get a bike license at 18?

Licence categories:
Age 16 - AM category - moped, 50cc, max speed 28mph
Age 17 - A1 category - 125cc, max 11kW/14.75bhp, max 0.1kW/kg power to weight ratio
Age 19 - A2 category - max 35kW/46.94bhp, no capacity limit, max 0.2kW/kg power to weight ratio, must have had 2 years experience on A1 motorcycle
Age 21 - A category - any bike, must have held an A2 licence for a minimum of 2 years

There are also "direct access" tests at 19 for A2 and 24 for A that don't require 2 years experience.

https://www.gov.uk/ride-motorcycle-moped/bike-cate...


Somehow, 18 year olds become incredibly mature if they are driving lorries or buses.

https://www.gov.uk/become-lorry-bus-driver


It's bks.

[A993LAD]

On a positive note I sometimes attend the Hayling Island bike night gathering and I'm always pleasantly surprised by the wide spectrum of attendees.

Plenty of young riders and female bikers mixing in with the usual old grey beards.

Lots of them on 125cc sports replicas too which is nice to see.

Honda groms also popular

[bogie]

So what is the conclusion, is motorcycling really dying or is it the demographic just changing ?

Found some stats online a few years out of date, In the UK we have over 5 million with full licenses, and around 1.2 million "regular users" of 2 wheels

Just a small proportion of road users overall. Dunno how that compares to 20, 30, 40 years ago though, cant find data.

For all the negatives of the complex, multi tiered licensing and training requirements, the govt will argue that since the 90s motorcycle KSI have been decreasing and now at an all time low, not just in the UK but in other EU countries that have similar training requirements. Yet in countries where you can still ride without a helmet or any kind of training, their KSI rate is unchanged since the 60's and 70s.

I guess you cant win. You live in a country where 17 year olds get on 50bhp 250cc bikes with no helmet = high KSI and "motorcycles are death traps" or you impose stringent training and licensing laws, reduce the death rate to a few hundred per year and your friend of a friend who has never ridden a bike in his life will still tell you "motorcycles are death traps"

Edited by bogie on Thursday 4th July 22:22

[Bob_Defly]

gareth_r said:

Bob_Defly said:

You can't get a bike license at 18?

Licence categories:
Age 16 - AM category - moped, 50cc, max speed 28mph
Age 17 - A1 category - 125cc, max 11kW/14.75bhp, max 0.1kW/kg power to weight ratio
Age 19 - A2 category - max 35kW/46.94bhp, no capacity limit, max 0.2kW/kg power to weight ratio, must have had 2 years experience on A1 motorcycle
Age 21 - A category - any bike, must have held an A2 licence for a minimum of 2 years

There are also "direct access" tests at 19 for A2 and 24 for A that don't require 2 years experience.

https://www.gov.uk/ride-motorcycle-moped/bike-cate...


Somehow, 18 year olds become incredibly mature if they are driving lorries or buses.

https://www.gov.uk/become-lorry-bus-driver


It's bks.

Wow, that is a long learning process, totally unnecessary.

In Ontario it's 16yrs for a learners permit, then 18yrs for any bike. In Pennsylvania where I do a lot of bike trips, once you're over 21 you don't need a helmet!