Theme 3

The third theme that became evident from the data was that the motorcycle licensing system requirements were not always perceived by trainees as sufficient for their subsequent riding safety. These sentiments were expressed in regard to the requirements to gain a learner permit, the assessment competencies for licensing (either provisional or open), and the capacity of the motorcycle that was allowed to be ridden once licensed for some novice riders. This theme relates to the context in which training is delivered and highlights the importance of consideration of contextual influences on learning.

3.4.3.1 Initial Stages of Motorcycle Licensure

Learner permit requirements for motorcyclists in the state of Queensland at the time the study was undertaken included only a brief multiple choice knowledge test and an eyesight test. Applicants could potentially obtain their learner permit from Queensland Transport then complete the Q-Ride licence training course with a

registered rider training organisation in the same day (often qualifying them to ride unrestricted capacity machines). The lack of any requirement for pre-learner motorcycle training to obtain a learner permit was an issue that arose during discussion of how training and licensing could be improved as highlighted in the following quote.

“I think if you go for your learners permit (practical test) that would be the ideal thing. It would raise the bar for getting your learners” (male).

Furthermore, some participants commented about the need for training to be integrated at several stages early in the licensing process to maximise learning for novices. The reasoning for this was twofold: to reinforce previously learnt

information and skills and; to gradually build on their skills (e.g. riding with a pillion which many Q-Ride graduates were automatically allowed to do under the legislation if they had held a drivers licence for at least three years). For instance, several riders felt they would benefit from follow-up training within three to six months of their initial training as shown in the following quotes.

“Maybe on completion of the course it should be compulsory to have a

refresher after three or six months just to sit in the class and maybe have a bit of a practical session too” (male).

“Maybe if you had the people who had done the course before, do a refresher after three months for like three hours or something” (male).

“I’d like to see something on pillioning but it’s not the right time when you’re getting your licence because you’re too green. If there was a three month or six month thing where you come back to cover pillioning and that sort of thing then that would be beneficial” (male).

3.4.3.2 The Adequacy of Licence Competencies for Safe Riding

Additionally, participants felt that training could be enhanced in a number of ways including: more on-road riding; longer duration of training; how to handle specific situations (e.g. wet weather, wind, night, dirt, pillions, and overtaking);

training at highway speeds; provision of mechanical knowledge; presentation of crash statistics; presentation of ‘stupid’ behaviours and their consequences; a

thorough debrief at the end of training; and the provision of more resources (such as reading material, a take home instructional video, and links to websites for continued learning). As training was essentially undertaken to meet the competencies dictated by the licensing authority, this again reflects the importance of the specific context in which rider training is conducted. Comments by participants implied a perceived need for expansion of the competencies within the Q-Ride system or, alternately, that the training organisation was not sufficiently addressing existing competencies (which would imply insufficient auditing by the licensing authority). The key sub-theme that was generated from this discussion was that some riders felt unprepared for unaccompanied riding following licensing even though they had met the

competency standards. This sentiment is reflected in the following quotes.

“I felt that the Q-Ride course, even though I was given a certificate of competency, I honestly didn’t feel confident……..when I went out and got my first bike and went for the test ride I was pissing my pants” (young male).

“For a beginner like myself I think there should have been either more frequency of that on the road practising or for a longer period of time”

(male).

“More on-road stuff before you get your licence would have been good because until you’re out there you don’t realise just how intimidating some of the traffic can be” (female).

“I was found competent riding but I felt if I had of been made to come back for more hours just to get that confidence so they can take me on the road and I can build that up………because I didn’t feel comfortable quite yet going out on my own with my licence on a bike” (female).

I came out of it and they’re saying yeah you can do everything. Yeah I can do everything but I still feel sketchy” (male).

“I was absolutely terrified leaving because it’s like now it’s D-Day, you’re going out onto the road while you’re still learning” (male).

While there were many suggestions for enhancement of the training course there was also acknowledgement of the practical constraints in providing this. That is, it is not practical for course providers to focus on aspects of training beyond those aimed at meeting the minimum requirements to address the licensing competencies because many trainee riders would not be prepared to pay for the additional training.

While the industry partner training organisation also offered several post-licence courses for motorcyclists, it appeared that the majority of riders were only prepared to pay for the bare minimum of training required under the licensing system. This is reflected in the following quote:

“Ideally I think everyone should have to do a three day course but that’s just not practical because cost comes into it a lot too” (male).

3.4.3.3 Licensing Incentives and Safety

Another key concern for some participants was that an open class motorcycle licence could be obtained under Q-Ride if the applicant had held a car driver licence for three years or more within the last five years. This incentive within the Q-Ride system meant that novice riders (often with no previous riding experience) could complete the course then ride any capacity motorcycle they chose once licensed. This point arose during discussions as some participants felt that it was too dangerous for novice riders to be in control of large capacity machines.

“Maybe we do need to look at the process of legislating a certain cc (cubic centimetre) size, depending on your experience and age because it’s too easy to get your open licence and go out and buy a 900 or 1000cc bike” (male).

3.4.3.4 Summary of Results

In summary, the data from the focus groups generally indicated that past trainees valued their training and that the riding instructors used a number of

teaching techniques where required to facilitate individual learning. Whilst most past trainees felt the training they received transposed to the ‘real world’ traffic

environment and was useful for their safe riding subsequent to licensing, there was still much scope for improvement. That is, the course was perhaps not delivered over a sufficient duration nor did it sufficiently cover all the aspects of motorcycling that the participants felt they needed to ride safely. As such, it could be stated that whilst the training was delivered well, at least for some participants the course was

perceived as minimalistic in regard to what was encountered on-road subsequent to licensing.