Junior off-road licencing on party agenda

The Australian Motorcycle Trail Riders Association (AMTRA) and Victorian Motorcycle Council have given their support to the Australian Country Alliance Party's call for junior off-road motorcycle licensing.

ACAP's policy seeks the introduction of a motorcycle licence to enable 14 to 18-year-olds to work on the land (complying with WorkCover requirements) and to participate in recreational motorcycle activities organised by recognised clubs and under the supervision of a fully licensed motorcycle rider. The licence would apply only to those areas where 'recreational motorcycle registration' applies (such as forest roads), under supervision of fully licensed riders in a club environment, and would not permit the use of motorcycles on roads normally used by the public.

The licence would limit the riding of motorcycles approved under the Learner Approved Motorcycle Scheme.

AMTRA's club-based junior licensing policy shares common ground with ACAP's more expansive proposal, and also calls for licensed junior riders to pass an off-road riding competency test delivered by a rider training organisation such as Stay Upright, and to wear appropriate protective riding gear including goggles, gloves, boots and body armour.

What do you think of the proposal? Does it make sense, and will it make them better riders when they move onto restricted and full motorcycle licences?

ACAP will field lower and upper house candidates in the 2014 Victorian state election on Saturday, November 29. The Bikesales Network will keep you updated on any motorcycle-specific policies released by all the parties.