Riders’ rights group MAG has published a letter it has received from Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the DfT Richard Holden, which suggests MAG’s demands for changes to rider licensing rules are under consideration by the government.
Holden confirmed that a motorcycle licencing review is a possible outcome from the newly-formed DVSA/DfT Motorcycle Strategy Group. According to MAG, in response to its recommendations for further research into CBT rider numbers, Holden said, “… the issues you have raised are important to this department and DVSA … this department is currently establishing a new motorcycle strategy group which will consider developments affecting road safety, and the training and testing for riders in the motorcycle sector.
“Establishing the number of riders who rely on just compulsory basic training to ride should be useful to help inform future discussions and analysis … As far as a full review of the motorcycle licencing regime is concerned, this may become one of the outcomes of the newly forming strategy group. Please rest assured MAG, along with other important key stakeholders, will be involved in any future work.”
MAG’s political director, Colin Brown, said: “I am pleased that the Minister recognises the importance of taking an evidence-based approach. We have long been saying the current regime is overly complicated. This acts as a disincentive to riders entering motorcycling. It also results in many riders cutting their riding career short. The training and testing regime is clearly the most influential factor in achieving those goals.”