MOTORCYCLE RIDER MOTORCYCLE RIDER ASSESSMENTASSESSMENT

HistoryHistory Previous approaches to FoMC from NABDPrevious approaches to FoMC from NABD No further developmentsNo further developments Increased local enquiries re AxsIncreased local enquiries re Axs

• Rural areaRural area• Poor public transport systemPoor public transport system• Increase in petrol costsIncrease in petrol costs• Increased running costs for carsIncreased running costs for cars• Greener optionsGreener options• Freedom of choiceFreedom of choice

DVLA Medical Branch enquiries re DVLA Medical Branch enquiries re assessment for licencingassessment for licencing

Establishing NeedEstablishing Need

Chicken and egg situation - Difficult Chicken and egg situation - Difficult to establish need until people know to establish need until people know the service is availablethe service is available

Ideally, 9 – 12 month pilot required Ideally, 9 – 12 month pilot required in order to collect meaningful data.in order to collect meaningful data.

Does it fit with DfT objectives?Does it fit with DfT objectives?

Who would the assessments be for ?Who would the assessments be for ?

Initially it was thought for any biker Initially it was thought for any biker with disabilities, but:with disabilities, but:• NABD are good at what they do ie NABD are good at what they do ie

adaptations to bikes.adaptations to bikes.• Huge set up costsHuge set up costs• No assessment was available of No assessment was available of

“fitness to ride”“fitness to ride”

Initial ProposalInitial Proposal Carry out whole assessmentCarry out whole assessment

• 11stst part similar to car driver assessment part similar to car driver assessment• 22ndnd part on off-road area part on off-road area• 33rdrd part on road part on road

Types of assessment to be provided:Types of assessment to be provided:• Fitness to ride (cognitive issues; physical Fitness to ride (cognitive issues; physical

disabilities)disabilities)• Adaptations requirementsAdaptations requirements• Ability to learnAbility to learn

This was soon deemed to be This was soon deemed to be impractical because:impractical because:

• Suitable location required, including a large, Suitable location required, including a large, flat riding areaflat riding area

• Appropriately qualified and experienced Appropriately qualified and experienced motorcycle instructor/assessor requiredmotorcycle instructor/assessor required

• Suitable machines required – greater variety Suitable machines required – greater variety than cars due to complex licencing laws.than cars due to complex licencing laws.

• Large selection of clothing and protective Large selection of clothing and protective equipment required – all expensive.equipment required – all expensive.

Re-Think…………Re-Think…………

Q.What are we good at?

A. Assessment, problem solving and teamwork.

Feasibility of using existing rider Feasibility of using existing rider training establishments explored.training establishments explored.

Already approved by DSAAlready approved by DSA Entire infrastructure already in placeEntire infrastructure already in place Mobility Centre could make use of Mobility Centre could make use of

instructors, bikes, clothing, protective instructors, bikes, clothing, protective equipment, approved training areas on equipment, approved training areas on ‘as & when’ basis‘as & when’ basis

Insurance coveredInsurance covered

22ndnd Proposal Proposal

11stst part Ax in similar format to car part Ax in similar format to car drivers’ assessment, carried out by drivers’ assessment, carried out by clinician.clinician.

22ndnd part Ax to be practical, carried part Ax to be practical, carried out off-road, at the rider training out off-road, at the rider training base.base.

33rdrd part Ax to be practical on-road, part Ax to be practical on-road, accompanied by the instructor and accompanied by the instructor and our assessor, both on m/bikes.our assessor, both on m/bikes.

Assessment FormatAssessment Format

Part 1Part 1• Physical abilityPhysical ability

• Effect of Medical conditionEffect of Medical condition• ROM, Strength, tone etcROM, Strength, tone etc

• Cognitive abilityCognitive ability

Part 2Part 2 – carried out on off-road, flat, – carried out on off-road, flat, riding area riding area

• Use of controlsUse of controls• Balance, riding in pre-determined patternsBalance, riding in pre-determined patterns• Normal braking, emergency brakingNormal braking, emergency braking• Slow ridingSlow riding• Knowledge of highway codeKnowledge of highway code• Knowledge of protective equipment Knowledge of protective equipment

requirementsrequirements• Awareness of dangers and hazardsAwareness of dangers and hazards

The client will only move on to the next The client will only move on to the next part of the assessment if :part of the assessment if :

1.1. they can demonstrate an acceptable they can demonstrate an acceptable level of vehicle control, and level of vehicle control, and

2.2. it is considered they are safe to do so.it is considered they are safe to do so.

In cases where clients are attending to In cases where clients are attending to determine their potential to learn (eg determine their potential to learn (eg learning difficulties, head injuries etc) the learning difficulties, head injuries etc) the next stage would not be undertaken but next stage would not be undertaken but they may be referred on for Compulsory they may be referred on for Compulsory Basic Training as per the standard Basic Training as per the standard requirements for all motorcyclists. requirements for all motorcyclists.

Part 3 – carried out on-roadPart 3 – carried out on-road

Client riding appropriate Client riding appropriate machine, machine,

Instructor and Assessor following, Instructor and Assessor following, Route to be agreed between Route to be agreed between

Mobility Centre and InstructorMobility Centre and Instructor One hour on roadOne hour on road DebriefDebrief

Next StepsNext Steps

Further investigation into motorbike Further investigation into motorbike adaptationsadaptations

Approach NABD again; are they open to Approach NABD again; are they open to referrals from us once “fitness to ride” referrals from us once “fitness to ride” issues have been covered?issues have been covered?

Establish a working group of interested Establish a working group of interested centres within Forum who have staff and centres within Forum who have staff and facilities available.facilities available.

Gain approval from DfT Gain approval from DfT

CASE STUDYCASE STUDY

Motorcycle Assessment – Vehicle Handling Motorcycle Assessment – Vehicle Handling AssessmentAssessment

ConfidentialConfidential Name:Name: AshAsh Address:Address: XxxxxxxXxxxxxxxXxxxxxxXxxxxxxx Postcode:Postcode: xxxxxxxxxxxx Telephone:Telephone: e-mail Addresse-mail Address Date of Birth:Date of Birth: 01.01.198601.01.1986 DVLA ref NumberDVLA ref Number KMAC ref No:KMAC ref No: xxxx TMAxxxx TMA Diagnosis: Diagnosis: Learning difficulties; injured right shoulderLearning difficulties; injured right shoulder Date of Onset: Date of Onset: 2005, following accident2005, following accident Referring Agency: Referring Agency: SelfSelf Assessors: Assessors: IC (OT) & RW (ADI)IC (OT) & RW (ADI) Persons Present:Persons Present:MotherMother Date of Assessment: Date of Assessment: 17.12.0717.12.07 Date of report: Date of report: 31.12.0731.12.07

Medical HistoryMedical History

Ash has a history of learning difficulties Ash has a history of learning difficulties and depression. In 2005 he was involved and depression. In 2005 he was involved in a road accident when he was hit by an in a road accident when he was hit by an oncoming car, as a result of which he oncoming car, as a result of which he sustained multiple injuries. He still has an sustained multiple injuries. He still has an intramedullary nail in situ and a metal intramedullary nail in situ and a metal plate in his wrist. His right shoulder joint plate in his wrist. His right shoulder joint was injured and has resulted in reduced was injured and has resulted in reduced range of movement with loss of sensation range of movement with loss of sensation and loss of deltoid muscle bulk. Ash’s and loss of deltoid muscle bulk. Ash’s current medication includes: Risperidone current medication includes: Risperidone and paracetamol.and paracetamol.

Date of Onset: Date of Onset: 2005, following accident2005, following accident

Social Situation: Social Situation: Ash recently started living on Ash recently started living on his own in a flat. He receives assistance from his own in a flat. He receives assistance from his mother but is having some difficulties his mother but is having some difficulties looking after himself ie cooking and cleaning.looking after himself ie cooking and cleaning.

Driving Experience: Driving Experience: He has a provisional He has a provisional licence and has completed CBT twice – it is now licence and has completed CBT twice – it is now expired. He reported having an assessment expired. He reported having an assessment previously (supplier not known but referred by previously (supplier not known but referred by GP). This was an ‘on-road’ assessment with the GP). This was an ‘on-road’ assessment with the assessor (who walked with a stick) following Ash assessor (who walked with a stick) following Ash on his motorbike in a car. It was not concluded on his motorbike in a car. It was not concluded and no report was provided.and no report was provided.

Physical Range of Movement and StrengthPhysical Range of Movement and StrengthHead and Neck Head and Neck FullFullTrunkTrunk FullFullUpper LimbsUpper Limbs Reduced right shoulderReduced right shoulderLower LimbsLower Limbs FullFullBalance Balance GoodGood

Vision:Vision: Able to read number plate at 20.5 metres; Able to read number plate at 20.5 metres; Peripheral vision adequate Peripheral vision adequate

Cognitive AssessmentCognitive Assessment Ash undertook a number of cognitive tests designed to Ash undertook a number of cognitive tests designed to

demonstrate his processing ability. demonstrate his processing ability. Short term memoryShort term memory very goodvery goodAcoustic reaction test Acoustic reaction test 0.55 secs 0.55 secs

(Acceptable range= 0.4 – 1 sec)(Acceptable range= 0.4 – 1 sec)Visual reaction testVisual reaction test 0.66 secs 0.66 secs

(Acceptable range= 0.4 – 1 sec)(Acceptable range= 0.4 – 1 sec)27 lamp reaction test 27 lamp reaction test Average 0.55 secs Average 0.55 secs

(Acceptable range= 0.4 – 1 sec)(Acceptable range= 0.4 – 1 sec)

Off Road Circuit AssessmentOff Road Circuit AssessmentMotorcycles used:Motorcycles used: Honda MT50 (50cc) Honda MT50 (50cc) with 5 with 5 gears gears

Starting method:Starting method: Kick startKick start

Basic maintenance/service questions (a per DSA riding Basic maintenance/service questions (a per DSA riding test)test) Not assessed Not assessed

Basic highway code awareness Basic highway code awareness

Not assessedNot assessed

Awareness of dangers of motorcycles v other traffic Awareness of dangers of motorcycles v other traffic Not assessed Not assessed

Awareness of protective clothing requirements: Awareness of protective clothing requirements: Able to state basic requirements Able to state basic requirements

came equipped with full came equipped with full protective protective clothing of medium to clothing of medium to high quality high quality which appeared which appeared to have been well to have been well cared for.cared for.

Awareness of static hazards: Awareness of static hazards:

Aware of consequences of wet Aware of consequences of wet

roadsroads

Taking off/putting on stand: IndependentTaking off/putting on stand: Independent

Starting:Starting: Independent Independent

Moving off/stopping: IndependentMoving off/stopping: Independent

Balance at walking pace: Not assessed Balance at walking pace: Not assessed

Balance at normal driving speed: Good Balance at normal driving speed: Good

Use of gears:Good – no instruction necessaryUse of gears:Good – no instruction necessary

Use of brakesGood – no instruction necessaryUse of brakesGood – no instruction necessary

Use of throttleGood – no instruction necessaryUse of throttleGood – no instruction necessary

Use of indicators when moving: Not assessed Use of indicators when moving: Not assessed

Use of lights when moving: Not assessedUse of lights when moving: Not assessed

Steering control round circuit Steering control round circuit

No instruction necessaryNo instruction necessary

Steering control round conesSteering control round cones

Good – well controlled and Good – well controlled and balance maintained without balance maintained without putting feet downputting feet down

Controlled brakingControlled braking GoodGood

Emergency stopsEmergency stops Not assessedNot assessed

On Road AssessmentOn Road Assessment

Not undertakenNot undertaken

Recommendations/ SummaryRecommendations/ Summary

Ash showed good overall control of the Ash showed good overall control of the motorcycle in all the exercises asked of him. motorcycle in all the exercises asked of him. These were deliberately designed to test his These were deliberately designed to test his balance and steering control in a variety of balance and steering control in a variety of situations; including following a course clockwise situations; including following a course clockwise and anti-clockwise; changing gear, controlled and anti-clockwise; changing gear, controlled braking; figure of eight pattern around cones; braking; figure of eight pattern around cones; weaving in between a series of cones; controlled weaving in between a series of cones; controlled braking using both brakes and changing gear at braking using both brakes and changing gear at the same time; use of throttle. Based on the skills the same time; use of throttle. Based on the skills shown during the off road section, there would shown during the off road section, there would appear to be no reason why he should not appear to be no reason why he should not undertake a CBT course – the passing of which undertake a CBT course – the passing of which would enable him to ride on the road would enable him to ride on the road unsupervised for a maximum of two years. There unsupervised for a maximum of two years. There would appear to be no reason why he should not would appear to be no reason why he should not be able to train for and pass his test within that be able to train for and pass his test within that time.time.

Update – 09.05.08Update – 09.05.08 Ash has now completed CBT with Norfolk Rider Ash has now completed CBT with Norfolk Rider

TrainingTraining

His mother has bought him a “very nice” bike His mother has bought him a “very nice” bike which he adores and treats with the greatest which he adores and treats with the greatest respect.respect.

He is back at work.He is back at work.

His depression has lifted and according to his His depression has lifted and according to his family he is a different person.family he is a different person.