§ Mr. Greg KnightTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he has any proposals to improve the safety of new motor cycle riders in the first six months of their riding career.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleySales of motor cycles below 125 cc in the first four months of this year were 15 per cent. higher than during the same period in 1988.
We welcome this change in the fortunes of the motor cycle industry. Unfortunately, only about 30 per cent. of new riders at present undergo any form of training.
Today, the motor cycle industry launched 'bike fax': a personal organiser to be given free to all new provisional motor cycle licence holders by motor cycle dealers. This will help to establish motor cycle dealers as new rider information centres.
`Bike fax' seeks to influence the would-be biker to choose the right bike, to take proper training, to develop the skills to survive the high-risk early months and to dress suitably and conspicuously.
Although the Department of Transport has assisted in its production, 'bike fax' is funded entirely by the industry.
Manufacturers and dealers support fully our proposals to introduce compulsory basic training for new riders from mid-1990.