Poor training adding to bike deaths, BSM warns

BSM has warned that The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) lacks the resources to properly police the quality of motorcycle training instructors – and that this shortage of expertise could contribute to rising motorcyclist death rates (RoadSafe news, July 2004).

BSM claims that The DSA has diverted trained personnel from assessing bike instructors because demand for ordinary driving tests has created such long waiting lists. They are now reliant on a ‘goodwill’ system of overtime for the supervision of bike training schools. At the same time accident statistics show a substantial rise in the number of bikers killed or injured on Britain’s roads.

"There are simply not enough DSA representatives to properly assess and supervise new bike instructors," said Mike Loydall, head of BSM Rider Training. "If bike instructors aren’t trained properly, it’s unlikely that the pupils they take through training courses will end up with the skills needed to handle a bike on today’s roads.

"The standard of training received by those learning to ride a bike is way below par. The DSA lacks the resource to police the current system let alone any future schemes such as post licence tuition. We believe that standards in bike instructor training have been diluted since Direct Access Scheme courses were introduced in February 1998.

"These courses are not policed by the DSA. 3.6 million people hold bike licenses in this country, but how many of those have been inadequately trained due to the current system?" Mike Loydall added.

For further information go to, http://www.bsm.co.uk.