If you passed your bike test in the UK before this day in 2009 you’re probably feeling a sense of relief about now. For on this day, a new two-part modular motorcycle test was introduced. It enabled the UK to comply with the EU Second Directive requiring new and more demanding manoeuvres to be tested.
For those outside these shores, or who passed their test in the last century, Module 1 contains the specified manoeuvres element of the test which is conducted off-road. It includs exercises designed to assess the rider’s ability to control their machine safely, including avoidance and emergency stop exercises.
Module 2 includesan eyesight test and 30 minutes of on-road riding to assess the rider’s ability to safely interact with other road users. This does not mean waving at other bikers without crashing.
Cue all the creaky kneed, rheumy eyed reminiscers …
My 16th birthday was April 66 so I managed to take my test in May 1966 on a borrowed Lambretta scooter when my 250 Ajay died a week before the test. Threw away the L plates, sold the Ajay - I’d already bought a '58 T110 (with slickshift box!) - and have ridden a motorcycle at some point in every year since then. No breaks from motorcycling (besides the right tib and fib - twice! ;-)) but did become a fair weather rider, probably in the eighties when my income afforded the opportunity!
I hope and aim to continue riding as long as the old bones will permit me since my motorcycling now is the most self-satisfying and rewarding I’ve ever enjoyed - and that includes the year I spent wandering fairly aimlessly around the USA in 1989/90 on a GL1200LE.
Oh, it was absolutely wonderful - for the most part. Not without its moments, of course, but I had what was then a ‘Golden Eagle Pass’ for the National Parks and made it my habit to visit as many as practical and possible so I’ve seem a fair bit of the very best parts of the country.
