The MCIA is to scrap its motorcycle training accreditation scheme, started six years ago with the aim of raising standards at rider schools across the UK. The scheme – which offered vocational courses in best business practice for ATB owners and instructors – began life as the MCIAC, or Motor Cycle Industry Accreditation Centre, before morphing into MCIA Ride.
MCIA Ride will continue but with a new focus on a code of professional practice and a membership scheme.
In a statement, the MCIA said the accreditation scheme was no longer necessary because its mission of raising training standards through effective business practices had been fully met and because it had been rendered unnecessary by a new emphasis on compliance checks by the DVSA.
“The MCIA has determined that its focus should move away from accrediting training schools and instructors and towards alignment with the wider industry.
“This will take the form of a code of professional practice, adherence to which will maintain the current range of benefits enjoyed by accredited training schools, via a membership scheme.
“Additional strategic partnerships will also be formed with the DVSA Enhanced Rider Scheme (ERS) and the Driving Instructors Association (DIA) to provide the best possible training and membership services to our members.”
The press release continued: “The MCIA Ride team is proud of what has been achieved by the MCIA accredited training schools. They have received recognition and certification from the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) for their business practices, and endorsement from the DVSA for delivering higher levels of training and customer experience.
“MCIA Ride believes the aim of raising training standards through accreditation of effective business practices has been fully met, and the DVSA’s new compliance unit has recognised the need for this to continue. In the last 12 months, the DVSA has completed 165 compliance checks and this increased activity has resulted in the removal of more instructors’ licences and more training schools closing than ever before.
“As a consequence of the DVSA’s shift of emphasis, MCIA RIDE has undertaken a strategic review.”
It went on: “The new MCIA Ride membership scheme will also provide exclusive member access to prospective new riders wanting to experience a PTW taster session via MCIA TryRIDE, as well as promoting the benefits of post-test training via building public awareness and acceptance.”
Post-test training also forms a key part of the MCIA strategy The Route to Tomorrow’s Journeys which provides a focus on the future training requirements of Powered Light Vehicles. MCIA Ride members would, said the MCIA, be “perfectly positioned to meet this evolving need”.
TryRIDE will remain an offer at the NEC Motorcycle Live show which last year saw 576 new riders undertake a free ride and receive their first motorcycling experience. This resulted in 70 direct referrals to our training schools for further training.
“This is excellent news for the industry and the ongoing safety of riders, as the new DVSA compliance approach will safeguard the quality of training received by new and existing riders alike,” said MCIA CEO Tony Campbell. “Most new riders first experience of motorcycling is their formal rider training where, aside from the normal fears and excitement of doing something new, their view of the whole PTW world can be influenced.
“MCIAC was created to ensure that these training experiences are positive, so it gives us great satisfaction that this industry initiative has been effective in raising standards. It is important that any initiative evolves to remain effective and we are confident that, with DVSA support, the programme will continue to assist the training industry and raise standards future.”