§ Mr. Nicholas BennettTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many motor cyclists are killed or injured on Britain's roads; and what is the casualty rate for motor cycles and for cars.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyThe casualty rate for motor cycle users is 14 times that for car users.
406WMotor cyclists are 40 times more likely to be killed or seriously injured than car drivers.
Some 43 per cent. of motor cycle rider casualties are aged 16 to 19.
In 1986, the latest year for which figures are available, 52,280 people were killed or injured on two-wheeled motor vehicles in Great Britain. This is a reduction of 26.2 per cent. on 1980.
The overall casualty rate for two-wheeled motor vehicles is down by 18.4 per cent. to 977 per 100 million vehicle kilometres. A total of 10,311 of the casualties in 1986 were on mopeds and 41,969 were on motor cycles (including scooters). The casualty rate for car users is 65.66 casualties per 100 million vehicle kilometres, a reduction of 9.7 per cent. on 1980.
In order to obtain a clearer picture of the nature and distribution of accidents involving two-wheeled motor vehicles the Transport and Road Research Laboratory is undertaking a study of the accident experience of a random sample of 10,000 riders. This work forms part of a wider TRRL research programme aimed at developing methodology for identifying those groups of the riding population most at risk and subsequent driving techniques to reduce their risk.
§ Mr. Nicholas BennettTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what has been the effect of the Transport Act 1981 on the numbers of motorcyclists taking training and the on-road test; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyThe Transport Act 1981 sought to encourage learner riders to take proper training by introducing a two-part test for motor cyclists, part 1 being a new off-road test of machine handling skills. The Act also imposed a two-year limit on provisional motorcycle licences with a two year's ban if both parts of the test had not been passed in the two years.
The proportion of new riders taking training has risen from about 10 per cent. in 1980 to about 30 per cent. in 1986. It is estimated that up to 80,000 new riders each year take to the road without any formal instruction, supervision or training. The two-year provisional licence restriction has failed to increase the proportion of provisional licence holders who take and pass the test. The total passing the test each year has fallen by about 50 per cent. Of those who take the test 75 per cent. now pass compared with 55 per cent. before the 1981 Act.