An amusing programme just been on ITV. There was an old boy of 91 years riding his Honda. So I wonder who the oldest motorcyclist is in the UK?
Just watched that Good on them My 92 year old nan just sits and looks at the walls and ceilings The old boy on his honda had me covering my eyes to start but I understand what he meant about his ride being magic The old girl and speeding who has got out of three tickets It was fun watching them all
Not sure if I could ride shotgun with any of 'em - the old guy who couldn't get roundabouts was scary
It did reinforce my view that there should be compulsary retesting as you get older. Most of the people featured could probably pass a driving test, but I know a few (some of them nowhere near ninety years old) that couldn't.
But yes, the old guy with his 250 Superdream ( a "vintage bike" according to the commentry ! ) was an inspiration... Did anyone else notice that he had at least one other bike in the garage too ?
Ha ha good ole boy I had the previous model wouldn't call that Vintage or Classic it was just plain Shit
Len Vale-Onslow was still riding motorbikes at 102, having first started aged 8. Suspect that will take some beating.
And here's another absolute legend. One of my all time heroes, and not just because we share a birthday... Tom Delaney - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia If I end up like him I shall be a very happy man...
I do think there should be mandatory retesting above a certain age, and indeed every ten(?) years after passing your test maybe. meanwhile, i shall try to overcome my disappointment at not encountering a lively discussion on 100 year old drivers....
Currently all licences expire at age 70. You then have to renew but at the moment it is a self certifying formality.
It staggers me that some many people think that retesting is desirable. Are you so arrogant that you think you would pass ? What happens to peoples lives if they fail ? Yes, you do get the occasional wrinkly / crumbly causing mayhem on the roads but the reality it is the young male that is the largest problem. Most old people give up a little bit later tun they should but compared to the loss of freedom it is a small inconvenience for the rest of us and it will happen to us eventually, assuming we don't kill ourselves first.
Just watched this online. Very interesting, and each one of the featured drivers defiantly displayed an enviable spirit. Jonv made an interesting point, as did the programme - no matter how we perceive them the statistics don't support compulsory re testing. How about a different approach - all drivers over 75 get offered a free 'driving tune up' once a year with a qualified driving instructor? Re testing is futile as many far younger drivers are far less competent yet are free to drive unabated. When you think of it like that it suddenly looks less about safety and more about age discrimination. As for the risk old drivers present? Well, there is also the risk of young drivers, ill drivers, distracted mums (and dads) emotionally distraught drivers (I can't believe driving to the hospital if a loved one is critical will be too easy) and every other hazard which is an inevitable part of being on the road. Reckless behaviour is the job of the police to sort, but there are other situations (many of which are completely legitimate) which result in a slightly elevated risk. As adults on the road we knowingly accept our portion of risk every time we leave the house. Most of the time it's incident free, but as I well know that's not always the case, you have to accept that. Some risk is inevitable, and there is an unwritten acceptance of that risk every time you go out on the road. If you cannot accept the risk you then have to make a decision on removing yourself from it. As bikers we need to be careful where we cast our aspersions - if we started getting on a high horse about eliminating risk as opposed yo managing it, bikes would be one of the first places the axe would fall.
