LEARNER motorcyclists will have to undertake up to 16 hours of mandatory driving instruction as part of an initiative to be introduced by the end of the year.
The measure comes as figures show the risk of road death for motorcyclists is about 23 times higher than that for motorists.
Garda figures show that 11 motorcyclists and one pillion passenger on a motorcycle have been killed on our roads this year so far, representing 8.8% of all traffic fatalities.
According to the Road Safety Authority (RSA), learner motorcyclists will have to complete a course of initial basic training (IBT) — comprising both off-road and on-road tuition — with an approved motorcycle driving instructor before being able to take the test.
The new training course is expected by the end of the year and will be in place ahead of the new requirement for learner car drivers to complete their respective IBT course of driving tuition before taking the driving test.
Exact details of new licensing and training measures in relation to cars and motorcycles, which come under the proposed graduated driver licensing (GDL) system, are due to be announced in the coming days. However, the rules could see learner motorcyclists faced with a bill of more than €600 just to get on the road.
An RSA spokesman pointed out that the requirement to undertake compulsory driving lessons for both sets of drivers will apply — from the implementation date — to new first-time learner permit holders only and not those persons currently holding a learner permit.
Motorcycle lessons cost upwards of €40 per hour, meaning aspiring motorcyclists could face a bill of €640 for tuition under the new measures.
In March 2007, the RSA published a consultation document on compulsory basic training (CBT — now IBT) for motorcyclists in Ireland which stated: "The training will comprise a minimum of 16 hours to cover both practical and theoretical elements of CBT."
Under proposals raised during this consultation process, learner motorcyclists would be issued with an endorsed learner permit and would not be able to ride a motorcycle, except under the supervision of the IBT instructor, until the programme of basic training is complete.
A certificate of permit validation would then be issued enabling the learner to ride a motorcycle subject to the normal conditions of the learner permit.
After more than three years in the pipeline, the new motorcycle measures are due as the latest annual Road Collision Factbook from the RSA reports that in 2008, the risk of road death per vehicle kilometres travelled for a motorcyclist is about 23 times higher than that for a car occupant.
Welcoming the news, Conor Faughnan, director of policy for AA Ireland, said: "This is another stepping stone of progress as we work towards improving road safety standards generally."
But Mr Faughnan also pointed out there is still an issue surrounding existing bikers and returning motorcyclists getting motorcycle training.
"As time goes by we’ll get the benefits of that [IBT for learner motorcyclists]" but the new measure will not, however, address the issue surrounding the "born-again biker" or those motorcyclists, holding a valid full licence, returning to motorcycling after an extended period away from motorbikes, said Mr Faughnan.
a d v e r t i s e m e n t
This appeared in the printed version of the Irish Examiner Thursday, August 26, 2010
