Best to have Cager License First

[galahs]

I just wanted to say I'm so gld I've had my car license for a few years before getting my bike license.

I feel it has given me an understanding of things that can go wrong, speed of oncoming cars, traffic skills, right of way, road confidence, driver who cross centre lines  , drivers who tail gate  , drivers who cut across lanes in the rain  etc.

I know for a fact that if I hadn't driven a car for a while and learnt about defensive driving techniques I would have already had my bike totalled by other idiot cagers. 


So my advice would be I recommend all people get their car license b4 getting a bike license. I'd rather make the stupid mistakes you do when learning whilst protected in a cage of some sort than on a bike.

Actually makes me question how here in Australia why a 16 year old can do an 8 hour upright course (which is all but a joke) which only teaches the basics of how to start and ride a bike around a car park, then be let loose on the roads.

Least in a car you have to have an adult next to you whilst on your L's giving you advice and who can help keep you from danger.

If your just starting on a bike you have to learn the basics of keeping upright, cornering, braking, wet weather riding, gears, clutches, traffic, road hazards etc in one foul and often deadly swoop.

I'd almost go as far as saying you should have to qualify for your Provisional License in a car b4 being allowed to go for a bike license.

That's my 2c's. What's your thoughts?

[Mr.7]

Yeah, getting your car license first is better. It gives you time to get used to all of the traffic laws and everything. You basicly said that already.
I still have my permit though    working on my motorcycle endorsment 

[flyingbeagle71]

Seems like it would be better for everyone to get their m/c endorsement first...let them get run off the road a few times, maybe they'll watch out for us later!!!   

[FearedGS500]

yeaa.. in texas they can get a motorycycle L  at 15 ! . but it can be no bigger then a 250 . once they turn 18 you can have what ever size you want

[Wrecent_Wryder]

f4

[budget speed demon]

I honestly think its better to get your bike license first. I think when learning to ride a bike you learn how to not panic as much. Like for instance if your going through a curve a little fast and it tightens up, you know not to slam on the brakes cause you'll go down (if in a car you'll run right off the road). You also learn to be aware of every other car or bicyclist on the road because you know that there's always one just waiting to kill you. And you learn that when emergency braking, not to "slam" on the brakes, (do it on a bike and you'll go down, but do it in a car and your control and stopping distance is greatly reduced). I think these are the really important things that people in cars always fail to learn. In general, riding a bike will also improve your "cage" driving skills.

[Wrecent_Wryder]

[f

[arcsecond]

I'm on the verge of thinking that Driver's Licenses need to be more like Pilot's Licenses. You should have to go back and get re-certified every couple of years. Say 5 or 10. And there ought to be a special SUV certification too. Someone should start up the SUV Safety Foundation (SSF). Where they teach you how to safely drive your SUV while staying within your lane and without crushing all others in your path.

/end rant.
//end threadjack

-James

[pandy]

I'm on the verge of thinking that Driver's Licenses need to be more like Pilot's Licenses. You should have to go back and get re-certified every couple of years. Say 5 or 10. And there ought to be a special SUV certification too.

I'll second that motion...plus I'd add outlawing talking on cell phones while driving. The majority of close calls I've had/seen involve someone chatting away on their cell, oblivious to the carnage they're almost wreaking on others in most cases. 

I think that the driving age should be raised to at least 18, that the written and field tests should be more difficult, and that re-testing should be done MUCH more frequently. Safety courses after at-fault accidents should be mandatory, as should RE-testing and RE-qualifying for one's license.

Other than that, I don't really have much of an opinion on the matter. 

[galahs]

I disagree with budget speed demon, learners will always make mistakes such as entering curves to fast, applying brakes too hard, mis-reading traffic.

I still say being in a car gives them a better chance of coming out unscaved than on a bike. Plus the adult supervision required whilst on your learners is invaluable. 

[Cal Price]

I don't think it matters a lot which way round you do it, getting the best training, and taking notice helps a lot. Some of my friends who have come lately to bikes say they think it has made them a better car driver.

Interesting stat, in Germany before getting a car permit you have to take a days training wery like the British biker's CBT (Compusory basic Training) which is simply a day under radio instruction on a bike or moped. The Germans recon to have less car-bike accidents as a result of their drivers being much more bike aware.

[GeeP]

I would support a requirement that all new drivers must spend at least one year on a motorcycle before being allowed to operate a car.  That, after a lengthy rider training program.  Why?  Three reasons.

1)  If you know your child is out there on a motorcycle, you'll start looking for them.  If you experienced riding a motorcycle, you'll look for them.

2)  Increased awareness of the things going on around you will reduce traffic crashes.

3)  Americans use more fuel per person than any other country in the world.  The number of single-occupant gas guzzlers on the road is staggering.  Introducing all new drivers to motorcycles will likely get more people on bikes and reduce our dependence on foreign oil - to jump on King George's bandwagon.

However, it will never happen.  Americans are too attached to their Lincoln Navigators and cell phones.  They prefer to worry about crash survival as opposed to crash avoidance.  Plus, Americans consider driving an automobile a right, not a privilage.