Congratulations to my son, Nathaniel, on gaining his A1 motoring permit. This allows him to ride motorcycles up to 125 cc. In obtaining his permit he has achieved the near impossible, in that not only was he challenged to pass the theory exam for the motorcycle, which is difficult enough, but he also had to pass the exam for cars, although he won’t be eligible to drive one until he is eighteen. He is at present nearly seventeen.
The thinking behind this is that the same set of rules applies to both types of vehicles, and because the 125cc can travel at speeds of up to 120 km/h, he must be well versed in the rules as though he were applying for a car license. I personally can support that, and I would rather that his preparation was over complete, than lacking in important detail.
What makes this a difficult challenge is that he had to study from two sets of textbooks, and the exams were administered on the same day. He passed both tests on the first try, and the exams were taken in Spanish, and he did it all himself. Normally, with a bit of luck one might pass one and fail one. I am particularly proud of his achievement because I too took my theory in Spanish, having arrived in Spain with no command of the language at all. So, like father, like son, although he went one better and took two on the same day.
He then went on to do his practical, and that involved going to a special driving school that trains motorcyclists, truckers and bus drivers on a special track. The system here in Spain does not allow for gaining practical instruction by going on the road with an experienced driver, who might be one of your family, as is the case in the U.K. So, one can only get some experience by taking driving lessons in a school-owned car or motorbike.
He proved so adept that after only four training sessions he was deemed ready for the test, which is conducted in Valencia at the El Saler examination centre. Again, on the first try he passed. And now, he has his wings. Our young lad turned an important milestone, and we, as his parents will have concerns whenever he is out of the house. Time marches on and soon he will don tie and suit and have little people who will address him as Dad.
I wrote in a previous column on Young Motorists (see my blog address above) that this is just not enough to properly prepare our first-time motorists to deal with these roads. So, I’m going to share with you some of the extra tuition that I have given to my son:
Always wear your helmet securely on your head.
Particularly with bikes, too much speed is your worst enemy, and is almost always present in crashes. You are especially vulnerable without the surround of the cage that car drivers have. Also, stay focused; pay attention; avoid surprises.
You are not authorised to carry a pillion passenger until you have attained your eighteenth birthday.
Once you have your licence confine your riding to the daytime for at least a couple of weeks as you gain in riding experience and grow comfortable with your machine. Save night riding until later because there is a very real difference. Roads that are familiar during the day become new roads at night. Do one thing at a time.
If your bike has a sidestand that will allow you to operate the bike if it is still in the down position, discuss this with your mechanic, because should you move off with it in the down position it will probably result in your death. Have it removed or have it spring back to the up position the moment you take the weight of the bike off it.
If the bike is a 125 cc and can attain speeds of at least 100km/h, you have a perfect right to occupy the middle of the lane in which you are travelling. That is to say that if you position your bike close to the right hand side of the lane, cars will be tempted to push past you, even pushing you off the road. However, should you position your bike in the centre of the lane the car that wishes to overtake has to go around you and into the other lane. As he overtakes you can then move slightly to the right, as you are required to do.
The first words from the mouth of car drivers who collide with motorcycles is, “I just didn’t see him!” To rob the driver of this excuse, wear a reflective lime-green vest, that I call a “Gerry Jacket” during the day and at night. These jackets are worn by all road workers and police, and the mere hint of one says “Human Being!” There can be no excuse. The driver will have to look for another explanation.
Never operate your bike under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and that includes prescription drugs from your doctor or over the counter products that warn against the operation of machinery while taking the medication. A collision with an immovable object can kill you even at fairly low speeds.
Never intentionally run red lights or pass on the right. The overtake side is to the left. The Undertake (Undertaker’s) side is to the right. It’s always such a crying shame when someone young gives up his or her life too soon.
Don’t cut corners unless you can see that nothing is coming toward you.
Driving is all about the use of judgement, either good or bad. Good judgement and anticipation give a much better chance of having a long and safe road riding experience. Bad judgement is how people get killed before their time.
I conclude by relating that a young man with somebody’s daughter as a pillion passenger passed me on the right going as fast as he could, and when I blew my horn in protest he actually looked back at me, grinned and flipped me the finger. If he really wants to impress the girl all he has to do is get her home safely, every time.
Motorists! Please use extra care and caution for motorcyclists. Motorcyclists! “Be Seen to be Safe!” Wear the lime-green reflective “Gerry Jacket” by day and by night.
Copyright (c) 2007 Eugene Carmichael
