WARNING

All types of motoring including motorcycling on public roads constitutes a risk of injury and unfortunately sometimes can result in death.

The road toll will never be eliminated because of the human factor namely driver/rider error.

Q-Ride is a Queensland Government road safety initiative that is competency based.

A participant demonstrates to the trainer their ability to control a motorcycle in the required off-road and on-road assessment areas.

All applicants must hold a current motorcycle learner’s licence (obtained from Department of Transport and Main Roads – see www.tmr.qld.gov.au  website for practice questions) or RE licence information.

As at 1/7/07 all applicants must have held a car licence for a minimum of 1 year before applying for a learner’s licence to learn to ride a motorcycle.

As from 1 July 2009 a Learner Approved Motorcycle Scheme (LAMS) for learner riders and those holding an RE licence applies in Queensland.

The LAM Scheme allows riders who hold an RE class licence to ride moderately powered motorcycles with an engine capacity up to 660ml and which do not exceed a power to weight ratio of 150 kilowatts per tonne.

A list of approved motorcycles is available on the Department of Transport and Main Roads website www.motorcyclesafety.qld.gov.au.

Note that you must also display 'P' plates on your motorcycle if you are currently required to display them when you drive a car.

From 1st july 2010 a zero blood alcohol concentration applies for all RE motorcycle licence holders in their first year of riding regardless of age as well as for all drivers who hold a learner, provisional or probationary licence.

Open licence applicants (Class R) must have held their RE licence for at least 1 year before learning to ride or applying for their unrestricted licence on a motorcycle with a larger engine capacity.

Q-Ride Testing Components

A road craft theory session is followed by a 45 minute motorcycle road safety DVD.

This is followed by a comprehensive pre-ride safety check of your motorcycle prior to setting off to complete the road exercises as below.

Competency Assessment

Element 1

Simple hill start demonstrating clutch/throttle control + rear brake. Ride without rolling back or putting feet down.

Element 2

Slow ride, once again demonstrating clutch and throttle control and also use of rear brake and maintaining balance. Cover 18 metres in 11 seconds.

Element 3

Counter steering through obstacle course at 30k per hour demonstrating knowledge of the theory of counter steering, balance, rear brake use and use of peripheral vision.

Element 4

Braking exercises + knowledge of engine braking– using both brakes together, emergency braking and evasive action techniques. 40k per hour.

Element 5

Counterbalancing. Demonstrating competency in figure of 8 manoeuvre. 2 x 5 metre diameter circles. Complete 4 circuits in approx 60 seconds.

Element 6

Appropriate use and knowledge of road craft whilst negotiating varying degrees of traffic and encountering different speed zones and complying with regulatory road signs – Give Way, Stop, speed, roundabouts and so on. Approx 70km.

Element 7

11 'multiple choice' theory questions.