First meeting of new DVSA motorcycle strategy group discusses licence system
The first meeting of the DVSA Motorcycle Strategy Group has taken place, including discussions on its functionality as well as motorcycle licencing.
The new DVSA motorcycle strategy group has held its first meeting, discussing the goals of the group and what its success might look like.
The British Motorcyclists Federation (BMF) was one of the groups at the meeting, along with the Department for Transport (DfT), Transport for London (TfL), and the National Motorcyclists Council (NMC). The meeting was headed by Mark Winn of the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA).
The inaugural meeting of the new Motorcycle Strategy Group (MSG) took place yesterday (17 January 2023), and saw a discussion of the Group's objectives, its functionality, and what the results of its success would be and look like.
When the Group was announced last year, it was hoped that a review of motorcycle licences would take place with a view to simplifying the system. The inaugural meeting of the Group saw it take its first steps down that path, with a presentation made on the subject.
The BMF has confirmed its support of a review to motorcycle licencing, as has the Motorcycle Action Group (MAG). The BMF was also given assurances in the meeting that the UK government will be publishing its Road Safety Strategic Framework soon.
“Hopefully in the future there will be more participants in the group, and it will expand its horizons and become a force to be reckoned with in getting recognition for motorcycles in government strategy,” said Anna Zee, BMF Political and Technical Services Director.
This article was originally published on 13 December 2022, and has been updated on 18 January 2023 with the above text. The original article can be read below.
A new motorcycle strategy group is being set up by the DVSA, it has been revealed in a letter to the Motorcycle Action Group.
The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) is setting up a new motorcycle strategy group, it has told the Motorcycle Action Group (MAG).
MAG was told via a letter from the Roads Minister, Richard Holden MP, that was written in response to recommendations in a report published by MAG that called for revisions to the motorcycle licencing system to encourage more people to learn, and progress beyond a CBT.
MAG’s recommendations included for their to be more research into CBT rider numbers, as well as the aforementioned licencing revisions, with MAG wanting a simplified system as this “should increase the number of riders on the road whilst also improving safety,” it says.
The new motorcycle strategy group is hoped by MAG to open possibilities for a review of the licencing system, in particular, and road safety will also be a primary concern of the group.
MAG reports that Mr. Holden wrote to them, saying: “The issues you have raised are important to this Department and the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) […..] this Department is currently establishing a new motorcycle strategy group which will consider developments affecting road safety, and the training and testing for riders in the motorcycle sector.
“Establishing the number of riders who rely on just compulsory basic training (CBT) to ride should be useful to help inform future discussions and analysis […..] As far as a full review of the motorcycle licencing regime is concerned this may become one of the outcomes of the newly forming strategy group. Please rest assured MAG, along with other important key stakeholders, will be involved in any future work.”
MAG’s Director of Campaigns & Political Engagement, Colin Brown, said: “I am pleased that the Minister recognises the importance of taking an evidence-based approach. We have long been saying the current regime is overly complicated. This acts as a disincentive to riders entering motorcycling. It also results in many riders cutting their riding career short.
“It is important that there are clear criteria for any changes to the system. We see no value in change for change’s sake. But, more safe trips by motorcycle will help to reduce congestion and emissions. More fully qualified delivery riders will make the roads safer for all. We want to see more riders safely enjoying motorcycling. The training and testing regime is clearly the most influential factor in achieving those goals.”
