Around 700 bikers from all areas of Scotland braved rain and hail to attend the Moray Motorcycle Test Centre Action Group Demo Elgin 12th April.
The demo against the proposed closure of the Elgin Motorcycle Test Centre was supported by local driving instructors local MP Angus Robertson, MSP Richard Lochhead and several local Councillors.
Local support not just in the biking community, but the population at large is angered by the proposed loss of the local test centre and the move towards centralising vital services away from communities such as Elgin and calls on the DSA to reconsider their decision to close the local test centre.
The demonstration wound its way through the streets of Elgin before setting off for other towns in the area including Buckie and Keith before heading to the rally site at Inchberry Hall. Taking around two hours and covering about 50 miles the demo gave a good representation of the types of journey many learners will face should the local test centre close.
Led by a group of learner riders and drivers many riders were reminded of the difficulties faced by learners in tackling longer journeys on comparatively low powered machines and the effects of variable weather conditions and although rain and cold failed to dampen spirits, most riders indicated that after such a journey they would be ill prepared mentally and physically to tackle a motorcycle test.
MAG fully endorses and supports the aims of MMCTAG and extends its congratulations to Liz Forsyth and Mary Marshal for their efforts in bringing this issue to the fore and attracting positive press coverage.
Ends
Notes:
- Moray Motorcycle Test Centre Action Group website www.mmctag.webs.com
- The following motion on DSA Motorcycle Centres was lodged in the Scottish Parliament by Rob Gibson on 11 April 2008
This motion has been signed by Alasdair Allan*, Kenneth Gibson*, Bill Kidd*, Alex Neil*, Christina McKelvie*, Stuart McMillan*, Bob Doris*, Brian Adam*, Jamie Hepburn*, Dave Thompson*
Contents
*S3M-1678 Rob Gibson: DSA Motorcycle Centres-That the Parliament notes with concern the decision by the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) to close 51 motorcycle test centres in Scotland; considers that these closures will result in increased travel time, expense and complications to those wishing to pass their motorcycle tests; notes that the closure of the Moray motorcycle test centre in Elgin results in test-sitters enduring a four-hour round trip to their nearest test centre coupled with a one-hour test, as well as increased costs estimated at over £250; considers that the dangers of fatigue are greatly enhanced and calls on the DSA to reconsider closing test centres, such as Elgin’s, which would result in people’s safety being put in danger, and finally considers that the DSA should be promoting motorcycling as a greener mode of transport and should make it easier to take the test, not more difficult.
Issued by
Steve Wykes
Regional Representative
MAG Scotland
Tel: 0870 774 3562
Email: scotland-region@mag-uk.org