In an move certain to be widely welcomed throughout Irish motorcycling, insurance broker AON and its underwriter, AXA, will shortly be unveiling a range of premium discounts for motorcyclists who undertake, and pass, appropriate courses of training with their approved instructors.
This scheme has been developed in response to widespread concern within the motorcycle world at the disastrous effect premium levels have had in recent years. Overall bike sales are down almost 30 per cent and around 20 motorcycle shops have had to close. Young riders in particular are increasingly finding that premiums are unaffordable.
National rider training organisations and the Garda Síochána have been instrumental in helping to put together the syllabus and specifications for these courses. The entry-level basic course will be for those with little or no previous on-road experience.
The course will aim to bring new riders to a standard where they can ride safely on their own in all normal conditions without compromising their safety or that of others. Beyond that, there will be an Intermediate course for the more experienced.
It's expected that the discounts will be structured in such a way as to encourage motorcyclists to continue to develop their skills and proficiency. Discounts will also be available to those who pass Britain's Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents Advanced Course.
Until now, even though many riders have undergone proper training with recognised instructors, no discounts have been available except for who have taken an advanced test. These riders, numbering less that 250 in all, represent the lowest risk category.
Last year, in response to pressure from Hibernian Insurance and its threat to withdraw from the market if the Government did not act, the Department of Transport began to consider implementing compulsory basic training (CBT) for motorcyclists as is almost universal throughout Europe.
Their plans are known to be proceeding slowly and it's now admitted that the necessary legislation could not be in place until February or March of 2006. As yet no budget provision has been made.
Two weeks ago, as reported in Motors, Hibernian introduced a similar scheme for young car drivers. It's believed that it is also considering a similar scheme for motorcyclists.
It's understood that the basic course required to qualify for discounts, while broadly similar to that likely to become compulsory in the Department of Transport's plans, is expected to be of a higher standard. Only instructors approved by AXA will be able to certify that a motorcyclist has achieved the required standard.