Motorcycle crash news
25/04/2008

Bikers campaign against risks from test centre closure

More than seven hundred bikers gathered in Scotland to protest against the closure of the Elgin motorcycle test centre, making the claim that this was likely to raise the number of motorcycle crashes in the area.

This could even make it more likely that someone on their way to their test could be involved in a motorbike accident even before they have passed. Some protestors fear that this could have fatal consequences.

The UK Driving Standards Agency claims that the planned closure is to comply with European legislation that demands high-speed and low-speed manoeuvres to be carried out, and which requires more space than the smaller Moray centre has. They also say that there is not enough demand to expand that centre.

A campaigner denied this, saying "It's particularly bad because this is an area that is expanding, with more people coming to live here. Under these proposals, the North-east is a big black hole.

"The roads that motorcyclists will have to travel on are extremely busy, and the weather here can be really bad. It's an accident waiting to happen."

The nearest test centre large enough to satisfy the DSA is in Inverness, and the road between Moray and Inverness is thought to be one that would leave riders in danger of suffering a motorcycle crash, and potentially a personal injury compensation claim.