My husband and I would like to get our bike licences, but I’m not sure what the implications are of me being on a three year, car only licence. My pre-MS full licence covered a provisional licence for a bike, but the restricted licence doesn’t. Do I just apply for a provisional bike licence? Will they let me have one??
I’ve had a quick look on the DVLA website, but can’t find anything relevant so wondered if anyone on here might know?
Also, can anyone tell me if I’m wasting my time?! Has anyone tried to do this and not been able to? Or maybe you’ve managed it? (Btw, my vision and balance are good.)
Crikey Karen!!! My first thought was Eeeeek Balance!!! But then I read that your balance was good, phew
I have ridden a bike and ridden pillion a lot in the past and one thing that really surprised me was just how tiring it is. You use a LOT of muscle power in keeping it balanced, especially around corners and the general concentration and effort of riding is far greater than that of driving a car. Even riding pillion and constantly adjusting and shifting your centre of gravity to stay with the balance of the bike is really tiring. I know I wouldn’t even contemplate riding pillion now quite apart from my balance stuff just because of the fatigue. I would be very, very wary of your fatigue levels with riding a bike.
Can you get the chance to have a decent length ride pillion to test how your fatigue feels before going ahead?
I can’t help with the DLA stuff at all as being in Australia I don’t know your rules.
But do be careful. Bikes are dangerous at the best of times and not because of the bike itself but because of all the bloody stupid car drivers on the roads.
One alternative would be for your husband to get a side car (or for you to attach training wheels to your bike!) Now that would be a cool look
Best of British whatever your decision, you crazy woman….
Just following on from the idea of riding pillion and how tiring and difficult it can be for a non-MSer, here is a really good article which highlights some of the complexities of riding a bike in terms of balance etc as a pillion rider. But if you were to abandon the idea of going solo and riding pillion with your husband a big armchair seat like the one on the big red bike in the this article would probably be the least fatiguing as long as your OH was a good rider with a pillion on board.
BRAVO.I can’t help; apart from saying,“Way to go”. If the balls drop nicely I’ll be having a two seater road legal quad bike,a small bespoke trailer upon which a small buggy will live,so I can whizz about once we’ve arrived. I’ll be needing the help of an adventurous lady to help me get my leg over.All the controls can be run through the right handside of th’andlebars,and the throttle is controlled by the thumb.If I’m not driving I’ll be hanging on for dear life.
The aforementioned is about £16K,not including the lady.Please keep us informed of your progress.
I don’t know about the license thing, but have you thought about a trike? You can drive/ride that on your car license, its a little more comfy, therefor less tiring I would imagine, but has all the benefits of being on a motorcycle. You can hire one to try out (its on my wish list) http://boom-trikes.co.uk/ for example. I too spent many years motorcycling but wouldn’t want to attempt it now! My hubbie has one, though fortunately with a single seat! Great fun though, but I only miss it when the sun’s shining…XXX
Thank you everyone I’m having problems with the Internet do will have to wait to check out the links, but they look really helpful. I am a bit worried about the whole strength thing Belinda, but am determined to try at least - if I can’t manage I will definitely be considering a trike Hunny because I’m much too much of a back seat driver to ever ride in a side car or be a pillion rider - my poor hubby’s patience would be frazzled in about 10 seconds and I’d probably find myself abandoned by the side of some remote road Right back at you with the “Way to go!” woblyboy - I hope you find that lady Not sure S would be up for a pink leather jacket Annie - maybe a T birds one? Hmm Maybe not, lol!!! Karen x
LOL at the thought of S in a Pink satin jacket Karen and yep I think he would dump you quick smart if you were pillion or in a side car. Do you remember George and Mildred? Not suggesting you guys are them but…
Probably not what you are looking for, but an alternative if you can’t get your legs down quickly enough and foot operated gears and brake prove difficult. I am sure other models are available.
