Motorcycle safety

Sir

I would like to add to Brian Whiffen’s letter regarding use of expat’s road safety expertise (Sunday Mail May 8).

I was a chief instructor with the Brighton BMF RTS (British Motorcyclists’ Federation Rider Training Scheme). I was also on the Board of Directors of the RTS, a Regional Director of the BMF, and a senior observer with West Sussex IAM. I would be only too pleased to offer my services to schools and other institutions if asked.

However, let’s not give the impression every thing in the UK is perfect with motorcyclists, it is not. An element of young sports bike riders show a total disregard of the laws with regard to speed limits and double white lines. They are however usually properly dressed in leathers, boots, gloves and of course a helmet.

With the introduction of CBT (compulsory basic training) in the UK, we (motorcyclists) were the only group of road users, including pedestrians, that not only met government targets for the reduction of road accidents, but fell below those targets.

I believe the government then shot themselves in the foot by introducing direct access. To summarise direct access, it allows a person of 21 years or over to take a crash ( word used advisedly) course on a motorcycle over 125cc., pass their test, then ride a machine of any size.

Commercial training schools saw this as a money-spinner, taught their customers to pass the test, not how to ride a motorcycle. So after test, buys a rocket ship, first corner can’t get round, now motorcycle accidents are on the increase.

So if a Cypriot government is ever brave enough to introduce CBT, please do not also go down the Direct access route without proper training.

Mike Jarvis, Oroklini

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