BikeStormer

Getting a bike license is fairly simple. There are three stages, the CBT (Compulsory Basic Training), the theory test and then the practical test. None of them are actually that hard, and for ‘tests’ that can be surprisingly fun – anything to do with motorcycles is fun.

The CBT is actually hard to fail. The idea is that the instructors will provide you with everything you need to get out on the road and start learning properly. The day begin with a talk on equipment, including how to spot a road legal helmet and why you should wear the proper gear. Once you are equipped with a suitable helmet it's time to get on the bikes, or at least it will be once you've practiced taking them on and off the stands. The CBT assumes you have no experience so it starts at a low level.

Any motorcycling gentleman will tell you that Sunday afternoon is the time to ride. Take a warm clear day and your local neighbourhood becomes a veritable racetrack for heroes who dare to try.

But there is one drawback. Cars.

During the week the car driver, following the evaporation of fat arsed 4x4 mothers dropping Toby and Lucia off at St. Fiddleprix School, is usually some corporate type who has at least some fundamental awareness of the motorcycle world about him, or her. For that we have to thank the derring-do of the humble motorcycle courier going about his business. These weekday car types share their world with NTV’s and Bandit’s. To some extent they know their language.

The Department for Transport has proposed a raft of changes to the driving and riding tests including requiring that car learners acquire a "test readiness certificate" before taking the test and a much more complicated practical test that will asses candidate's ability to navigate. One area that won't be sorted out, however, is the theory test, some areas of which are downright peculiar.

Questions for the theory test can currently be set not only by expert staff at the Driving Standards Agency, but proposed by any MPs or councilors, whatever their agenda. One current question in the bike and car theory test is as follows:

The test required to get a full motorcycle license is going to get a massive overhall at the end of the summer and become a lot more complicated. One of the minor changes will be that finally the examiners will get a bike specific form to fill in when assessing the candidates riding.

This is long overdue, but one of the changes is rather troubling, the inclusion of the section on filtering.

Currently the highway code doesn't detail what filtering is, or how it should be done. The closest thing to it is a rather vague comment about overtaking.

Rule 143 states "Do not overtake where you might come into conflict with other road users. For example approaching or at a road junction on either side of the road"

I like motorcycles and pedal-powered cycles. I used to commute in London every day on a trusty bicycle until someone stole it, and I was raised on motorcycles and if you cut me I'd probably bleed engine oil.

In short I prefer to get around on two wheels rather than four. I'll admit that riding in the capital is challenging at the best of times but it's a joy compared to sitting in a car. Nothing beats filtering past a long line of stationary traffic on a hot summer's day.

Some engines are more beautiful than others, take the Vincent Black Shadow as an example; it’s prettier than Salma Hyack in the niff eating strawberries. Back in the day the aesthetic of the engine was an integral part of a motorcycles beauty, there was no need to chrome pipes or paint engine casings other than to make them look pretty, unless you buy a top of the range sportscar, for example, the engine that grumbles under the bonnet is there purely for the sake of it’s function. The thought of tarting it up to catch the eye contains about as much logic as plopping in the bathtub.

It’s safe to say that whilst jolly nice to gawp at a motorcycle engine isn’t known for it’s aero- dynamism so covering it up with a smooth panel in order to increase speed efficiency and cut down on drag of both machine and rider was wholly inevitable.

The Ron Haslam racing school is at Donington, a world famous racing track and where proper motorcycle races take place – it is one of the tracks that the Bennetts British Superbike racing uses. We would be unleashed on Honda’s 600cc racing bike. These bikes don't any of the pointless fripperies of road bikes like lights, mirrors, or even a dial to tell you how fast you are going. They are completely stripped down and perfectly designed for racing.

You don’t even have to have a license to join in the fun, or even any previous bike experience. If you are a complete novice you just take part in an extra session of training where they teach you the basics of riding before letting you on the track.

Boris Johnston has surprised us all by not only winning the race to be Mayor of London but even more surprisingly for a political type he has actually stuck to his word. Soon bikers in London will be able to use bus lanes with out getting fines.

It's going to take a while to organise because of the changes to signs around the capital but we can't wait. The opening of bus lanes is especially welcome in London because so many useful routes have been designated for buses only.