From Sandy Allan to Mr. Bruce at parliament.uk Fri, July 4, 2008
Dear Mr Bruce, I write to you regarding the changes to the motorcycle testing regime, with is to become effective 29/09/2008. I hope you will lend me your political support on these matters, as I have been instructing motorcyclists for coming on 28 years, and hope to heaven I know what I am talking about.
My background is that I first trained as an instructor in the RAF. Then after this I was with the RAC / ACU national scheme until it folded due to lack of fiscal support. I then worked full time, for the British Institute of Traffic Education Research (B.I.T.E.R), as a Road Safety Instructor in the Grampian / Tayside region. This was the parent company of the Star Rider National Training Scheme. This taught secondary school children amongst other things the safe riding of mopeds & motorcycles long before the current Compulsory Basic Training for 2 wheeled road users came in to effect.
Most recently I was involved with the British Motorcyclist Federation Rider Training Scheme, whilst running my own training school.
Currently I hold the DSA Certified Motorcycle Instructor qualification, membership of the Institute of Advanced Motorists & Institute of Road Safety Officers.
The DSA, who are implementing these new measures, in line with requirements set by the EEC & accepted by the current government. The fact is that these changes are ill conceived and in part downright dangerous! They put additional stress on test candidates, who on completion of this new off road part of the test, are then required to ride an on road test route.
This effectively acts as an extended test. Further, the test fee for motorcycle tests are to be in the region of a little under £100. If the testee is unsuccessful in the 1st part of the test, they proceed no further, and that £100 is lost! It will cost the same again to re-sit said tests!
This is unfair! The cost of training up to this new test will greatly increase the tariffs currently charged by training schools! The DSA need to re think this, and have the test broken in to 2 separate parts. As per the old part 1 & 2 motorcycle test which was in operation from 1982 through till 1990. This would ensure that the prospective motorcycle testee was not "tired out" by the testing process!
The other concerns I have are as follows:
Due to the locations of the new Multi-purpose test centres (MPTC).
Some long established training schools will at the stroke of midnight on the 28th September (now deferred till 30 March 2009), cease to be viable businesses! This is simply down to the distance their customers would have to travel to these new test sites. I can give you two instances! Tayside Motorcycle Training Group, based in Arbroath, has been informed that the test site they had been promised in Dundee will not be going ahead. The nearest test sites are in Aberdeen (50 miles, which is not due to be completed on time) or Kirkcaldy (65 miles). Fast Trak Training, Buckie, Inverness (58 miles) Aberdeen (67 miles). This in itself is against what was promised by the DSA, regarding the set national distance between test centres.
Now, if the 1st part of the tests were separated, the 50 or 65 mile run there and back would be an excellent training tool! I am also convinced that the 2nd part of the test should be available locally at the current test centres, not miles away!!
This will be the situation for Inverurie! Luckily, Aberdeen is only 17 miles away.
My next issue is with elements of the off road test. Part of the syllabus is the swerving manoeuvre at speed. This is supposedly simulating a vehicle emerging from a side road in to the path of the motorcyclist. On a purely road safety issue, if you train someone to habitually swerve to the right, the chances of them doing this in real life may have them going in to the face of oncoming traffic!!
The consequences of this type of scenario do not bear thinking about!! On subject of the braking from speed manoeuvres, my main concern is for the safety of the test candidate and also the ensuing possibility of litigation, were a test candidate to be injured on test?
Who is going to be liable for any injury claims pursued through the courts? It cannot be the training school? As they have placed their pupil in to the hands of a government agency! The testing examiner has the individual under their authority on a closed off piece of government property.
The test is a mandatory instrument. It must be taken to obtain a full licence. There is no other route to achieving this!
I would be fairly reticent about my insurers, or myself being sued! Finally I am sure as the sun will rise tomorrow, all this new level of testing will achieve is to increase the level of un-licensed, un-insured, and illegal riders on the Queen's highway, to hither unknown levels.
I do hope that I have placed enough information for you to act upon. If any clarification required please feel free to contact myself.
Regards
Sandy Allan
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From Sandy Allan to Alex.Salmond MSP and others 18 August 2008
Dear All,
The latest regarding the introduction of the new test.
The DSA are no longer taking bookings for August / September in Arbroath, and are only taking bookings for the Multi Purpose Site in Kirkcaldy with the soonest test date starting from 29th September.
This basically means that Tayside Motorcycle Group is no longer able to offer local people test dates or training for the test! I have had as yet no feedback from other training schools affected, but no doubt there will be a few who have had the rug pulled from under them!!!
I see this as a pre-emptive move by the DSA, to force training schools to either relocate to near the new test sites, or to close them down sooner than we were led to believe!
I am sure that no one has had any reply from Ruth Kelly, regarding none availability of test centres or any other questions that were brought up on safety issues etc. I am convinced the Dept of Transport and Regions are now playing a stalling game.
They must assume that this is a done deal, with no deviation from plan allowed.
So much for democracy!
Regards
Sandy Allan DSA C.M.I, mIAM, mIRSO
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From Sandy Allan to Cheryl Paul and others 18 August 2008
Hi Cheryl, You may not remember me? I was with AA Roadwatch about 9 years ago, and you took some footage of my inept skills for a documentary on traffic congestion (still have a copy, to show every one my 15 seconds of fame!)
I wonder if you would be interested in producing a news article regarding the plight of motorcycle training schools in Scotland! I have included the e-mail I have sent Malcolm Bruce, who is my local M.P, also Alex Salmond and the Scottish M.E.P's.
The main problem is what I have stated below, but it is the Driving Standards Agency's (DSA) one size fits all response to the new test. Where as in England the denser populace can justify these new Multipurpose Test Centres (MPTC), in Scotland, they are more or less locating them in the main cities. Not a lot of use to rural or small towns who have historically had a driving test centre (even a part time one!). The main upshot is that bigger national motorcycle training outfits i.e. B.S.M, are more or less going to be operating a cartel! They have the financial clout to rent the use of the MPTC's from the DSA, for when they are not testing on them.
Because of the area required for the 1st part of the test, the majority of the smaller training schools,(most who use car parks & school playgrounds) would then be precluded from these sites to practice on!
The DSA have said openly that if a training site does not have access to an area equivalent to the test site, they will no longer be allowed to operate! This is to the very people, who for years have given them business! Their customer base!
The whole shambolic effort is now compounded by a letter issued by the DSA this week, stating that the test sites will not be ready for the given start date & they are now trying to secure the use of the Vehicle Inspectorate HGV testing centres (but that is not guaranteed). What do you think? Is there a story here for TV?
Regards
Sandy Allan
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To Sandy Allan from Judith Crawford, Parliamentary Assistant - Office of John Purvis MEP August 19, 2008
Dear Mr Allan Please find attached a copy of a response (a PDF file) Mr Purvis recently recieved from the Driving Standards Agency regarding the issue of motorcycle licences. I trust you will find it of interest.
Kind regards
Judith Crawford
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From Sandy Allan to To: Alex.Salmond MSP and others August 19, 2008
Dear All,
Further to my last e-mail this is the reply that John Purvis MEP, has had from the DSA.
As expected they are laying down a smoke screen! They quote that individuals applying for tests will not be expected to travel more than 20'ish miles!! Try telling this to residents of the North East of Scotland.
As yet there are no test sites in Aberdeen, Inverness or Dundee. The last time I checked, this is ever so slightly over 20 miles!!
On the subject of training schools not being affected by the closure of their local test centre, try telling this to T.M.T.G, in Arbroath!!
The trade magazine for the motorcycle dealers "British Dealer News" on the front page of their September issue, have stated that over 650 training schools are unsure, as to what, if any future they have with the new test introduction. I can supply a copy of this article to anyone who is interested?
The DSA have been refused the use of MoD property, and the plan to use VOSA test stations will require the spending of millions to bring them up to standard.
I get the general feeling that the entire DSA management upper strata, the minister responsible & the entire Dept. of Transport & Regions are in denial and it is not the river in Egypt!
I have previously openly said that the DSA‘s actions have been shambolic!
I humbly withdraw that statement.
This would imply that there was at least some attempt at managing the introduction of the new testing regime.
Clearly this has been left entirely to the will of whatever deity the mandarins at the DSA’s HQ in Nottingham pay homage! I suspect either Discordia or Eris.
The effects are the same, Chaos!!!
Oh, please do not try to contact any of the DSA or D.of T.R bosses, they are out to lunch, uncontactable, will call you back later, honest!!
Regards
Sandy Allan
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From the Driving Standards Agency, 21 January 2009
Dear Mr Allan
Further to Lynette Clarke’s email of 14 January, I can now reply to your email of 7 January about the new motorcycle test.
As you are aware, we have to comply with European Community Directive 2000/56/EC, which introduces major changes to the motorcycle test. We cannot choose to opt out of conducting the new test, but we have deferred its implementation date because we were concerned about the distances some candidates would have to travel to get to the multi-purpose test centres (MPTC) from where we originally intended to conduct the new test. We have listened to the motorcycle industry’s representations and recently carried out a consultation exercise to look at splitting the new motorcycle test into two parts. This consultation ended on 9 January and following a decision from the Minister, we shall announce the results shortly. If we split the test into two parts, we will be able to deliver the on-road part of the test from a number of existing motorcycle test centres in Scotland. This would help to reduce the candidate’s travel time and travel costs for the on-road part of the test.
A key factor in choosing the search areas for multi-purpose test centres was the need to find suitable sites that would provide the best coverage for most test candidates. It therefore follows that areas with a low population density, such as the highlands and islands of Scotland, were not main search locations. We have always been committed, however, to providing tests for candidates living in rural and semi-rural locations, albeit on the understanding that they may have to travel further to get to test centres.
We are currently searching for temporary or casual sites so that we can deliver the off-road part of the new motorcycle test from more areas. For such sites to work, we have arranged the required manœuvres in other layouts to widen the scope of sites available to us. Any such site needs to:
* be around 125m x 40m (410ft by 131ft) or 175m x 12m (574ft by 39ft)
* be of reasonable quality concrete or tarmac (we will overlay or fill pot-holes)
* ideally have a small area with a power supply for examiners and customers to use.
Unlike when we were searching for sites for MPTCs, these sites do not need to be close to test routes.
We hope to use the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency’s (VOSA) sites at Perth, Livingston and Kilmarnock as casual sites on a part time weekend basis. We have identified a casual site owned by VOSA at Locharbriggs in Dumfries, but this site will not be ready for testing by the end of March. We will, therefore, continue to search for a casual site in this area and for the Oban and Lerwick areas.
As you may be aware, the MPTCs at Glasgow, Musselburgh, Kircaldy, Inverness and Wick are already in use. The Inverness and Aberdeen MPTCs will serve candidates from Keith, Huntly, Banff and Elgin and Buckie; the population densities of these areas means that these candidates will have to travel further than candidates living in more densely populated places. Building of the MPTC at Aberdeen is now complete and it will be in use soon.
Yours sincerely
Rosemary Thew
Chief Executive
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Sandy Allan's reply to Rosemary Thew 21 January 2009
Dear Ms Thew,
thank you for your e-letter.
I can understand that you and your agency, must be under immeasurable pressure.
You no doubt are beset on all sides, from the minister in charge, to the rabid
road safety "experts"!
I do not know what your own driving skill level is, but if you have listened
to people to claim they are knowledgeable about motorcycles, chances are they
no little or nothing.
Luckily, I am one who see's things in black and white!!
When this euro directive was put up on the board, why was it not flagged up that 50 kph has no comparative speed equivalent within the UK? I use this as only the 1st example. I for one would have raised my concern at the time! As for the maneuvers? Who has devised these. As an Instructor of motorcycling & road safety for more years than I care to remember, I can honestly say, someone will be directly hurt / injured or (Lord forbid!) even killed!!
We are at the crux! I know that the agency has spend far too much on this, and I can understand that NO ONE, wants to stick a hand up and say " Wait! I think it might be wrong to continue with this".
At the end of the day maybe the train cannot be stopped! What might have been actually achieved if this had been done correctly we will never know. What will happen is a rise in untrained, unlicensed & uninsured riding of motorcycles.
But whilst breath remains in this persecuted body, I will continue to poll political assistance, to over come this ill thought out program.
Yours respectfully
Sandy Allan
DSA CMI, mIAM, mIRSO
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3 February 2009
Lastest from the Ministry of Truth!
Lies, waffle, blinkered response (as ever)
Sandy Allan
Driving Standards Agency
The Axis Building
112 Upper Parliament Street
NOTTINGHAM NG1 6LP
Rosemary Thew
Chief Executive
Sandy Allan
our ref: IA/00120/09
3 February 2009
Dear Mr Allan
Further to David Grimley’s email of 22 January, I can now reply to your email of 21 January about the new motorcycle test.
I understand and share your interest in training and testing motorcyclists to ensure the safety of this vulnerable group of road users. As I am sure you are aware, motorcyclists account for a disproportionate number of road user fatalities and there is a clear need to tackle this issue.
It might help if I explain that European Directive 2000/56EC specifies what a test must contain although European member states have the flexibility to decide how tests are organised to ensure their safe delivery. With this in mind, we have consulted with the public and stakeholders to seek their views about the best way to implement the changes required by the Directive.
As you have mentioned, the new test includes manoeuvres which must be completed at a minimum speed of 50 kph. This speed has been set as it is the urban speed limit operating throughout the majority of European member states. Had the manoeuvres been set at 30mph (48 kph), for safety reasons, they would still have been conducted away from the public highway. Only one of the member states has decided to conduct the special manoeuvres on public roads.
You may be interested to know that following a further consultation, we will be introducing a new two part modular motorcycle test commencing on 27 April this year. Module 1 will include the off road manoeuvres and this test must be taken at a site which includes a motorcycle manoeuvring area. Candidates will be required to pass module 1 before taking module 2, the road riding test. A key benefit of the modular approach is that we will have the flexibility to deliver the test from a greater number of locations enabling us to use our current test centre estate and offer improved coverage. Further information about this and archived consultations relating to the implementation of the European Directive can be found at www.dsa.gov.uk under consultations.
Whilst you may not agree with some of the decisions made, they have been reached by consulting with a wide range of interested parties. Thank you for taking the time to write to me about your concerns; your views as an experienced instructor of motorcycling and road safety are valued.
Yours sincerely
Rosemary Thew
Chief Executive
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Email from Sandy Allan to Motorcyclenews.com 14 March 2009
Subject: Article on new riding test
Dear Sirs, when I read supposed 'experts' inform all an sundry about the ease of the new 'safer riders' test, I do not know whether to laugh or cry!! Anything that will have an effect of putting individuals off motorcycling is bad? Are we agreed on this matter? In the case of Mr. Keen on his Happy Honda. Am I to presume he had reasonable quality tyres fitted to his machine? Did his bike have 2 discs front, 1 disc rear? Has he perhaps been on numerous track days. Maybe even an advance riding course?
Now try sitting this f*****g test after being on a bike for 4-5-6 or even 7 days prior!! On a CG125S or ER500, GS500, with cheap tyres & suspect service history!! I doubt very much had this been a prober test, he would have been given another go!!!
I, and other people like me, have been fighting a rear guard action for the past 5 bastard years, to try and keep biking alive, with a future in police state Britain. As ever, along comes a poncy journo, and plays right in to the Double Standards Agency hands??? What is wrong with you people?? Why not just shoot yourselves in the other foot, then insert your head up your own arses.......
This test is the thin edge of the BIG WEDGE, that euro zone are pushing, but with the rabid anti-bike lobby & and a big hand from the DSA, will make the obtaining of a bike license near impossible!
All that is going to happen is an increase on illegal riding which when reported in the news / tabloids will have us all tarred with the same brush, as law breaking scumbags, (perhaps this appeals to your vanity, as most likely you are both middleclass, and a university educated 'rebel without a clue')
I have been reading the MCN since 1977, but if your editorial stance continues along the line of supporting antibike legislation, I for one will stop reading it!!
Try and get with the program, and support our efforts, or the circulation figures for MCN will begin to dwindle, but then again you can always get a job with TV Times!!
Regards
Sandy Allan
DSA Cert Motorcycle Instructor, mIAM, mIRSO