‘People are coming back to bikes’
Clive Kinson runs Able Rider Training in Melton Mowbray (01664 566088) and has been a full-time instructor for 25 years ‘People are coming back to bikes for transport, especially younger people – the delays in getting a car licence are pushing people back to bikes. Most are doing CBT on geared 125s, but there are quite a few aged between 19 and 24 going for an A2 licence as well. There’s lots of bike choice now, which I think helps.
‘Most haven’t ridden before, and so clutch control during lowspeed manoeuvres is what takes the most time. Right turns take some time too, as people grip the throttle. Occasionally we run out of time to complete and need to reschedule for them to finish training – someone might complete the car park syllabus but not make it onto the road, usually because they get tired. It’s a full day.
‘The CBT syllabus hasn’t changed, but there’s now more emphasis on mirror, signal, manoeuvre than rear observation – when I first started it was all about the life-safer. Road positioning is now middle of the lane too, instead of left of centre. Dominate your lane.’