MOTORCYCLE RIDER ASSESSMENT

1
MOTORCYCLE RIDER ASSESSMENT
2
History

• Previous approaches to FoMC from NABD
• No further developments
• Increased local enquiries re Axs
• Rural area
• Poor public transport system
• Increase in petrol costs
• Increased running costs for cars
• Greener options
• Freedom of choice
• DVLA Medical Branch enquiries re assessment for
  licencing

3
Establishing Need

• Chicken and egg situation - Difficult to
  establish need until people know the service is
  available
• Ideally, 9 12 month pilot required in order to
  collect meaningful data.
• Does it fit with DfT objectives?

4
Who would the assessments be for ?

• Initially it was thought for any biker with
  disabilities, but
• NABD are good at what they do ie adaptations to
  bikes.
• Huge set up costs
• No assessment was available of fitness to ride

5
Initial Proposal

• Carry out whole assessment
• 1st part similar to car driver assessment
• 2nd part on off-road area
• 3rd part on road
• Types of assessment to be provided
• Fitness to ride (cognitive issues physical
  disabilities)
• Adaptations requirements
• Ability to learn

6

• This was soon deemed to be impractical because
• Suitable location required, including a large,
  flat riding area
• Appropriately qualified and experienced
  motorcycle instructor/assessor required
• Suitable machines required greater variety than
  cars due to complex licencing laws.
• Large selection of clothing and protective
  equipment required all expensive.

7
Re-Think

• What are we good at?
• A. Assessment, problem solving and teamwork.

8
Feasibility of using existing rider training
establishments explored.

• Already approved by DSA
• Entire infrastructure already in place
• Mobility Centre could make use of instructors,
  bikes, clothing, protective equipment, approved
  training areas on as when basis
• Insurance covered

9
2nd Proposal

• 1st part Ax in similar format to car drivers
  assessment, carried out by clinician.
• 2nd part Ax to be practical, carried out
  off-road, at the rider training base.
• 3rd part Ax to be practical on-road, accompanied
  by the instructor and our assessor, both on
  m/bikes.

10
Assessment Format

• Part 1
• Physical ability
• Effect of Medical condition
• ROM, Strength, tone etc
• Cognitive ability

11

• Part 2 carried out on off-road, flat, riding
  area
• Use of controls
• Balance, riding in pre-determined patterns
• Normal braking, emergency braking
• Slow riding
• Knowledge of highway code
• Knowledge of protective equipment requirements
• Awareness of dangers and hazards

12
(No Transcript)
13

• The client will only move on to the next part
  of the assessment if
• they can demonstrate an acceptable level of
  vehicle control, and
• it is considered they are safe to do so.
• In cases where clients are attending to
  determine their potential to learn (eg learning
  difficulties, head injuries etc) the next stage
  would not be undertaken but they may be referred
  on for Compulsory Basic Training as per the
  standard requirements for all motorcyclists.

14

• Part 3 carried out on-road
• Client riding appropriate machine,
• Instructor and Assessor following,
• Route to be agreed between Mobility Centre and
  Instructor
• One hour on road
• Debrief

15
(No Transcript)
16
(No Transcript)
17
Next Steps

• Further investigation into motorbike adaptations
• Approach NABD again are they open to referrals
  from us once fitness to ride issues have been
  covered?
• Establish a working group of interested centres
  within Forum who have staff and facilities
  available.
• Gain approval from DfT

18

• CASE STUDY

19

• Motorcycle Assessment Vehicle Handling
  Assessment
• Confidential
• Name Ash
• Address XxxxxxxXxxxxxxx
• Postcode xxxxxx
• Telephone e-mail Address
• Date of Birth 01.01.1986
• DVLA ref Number
• KMAC ref No xxxx TMA
• Diagnosis Learning difficulties injured right
  shoulder
• Date of Onset 2005, following accident
• Referring Agency Self
• Assessors IC (OT) RW (ADI)
• Persons PresentMother
• Date of Assessment 17.12.07
• Date of report 31.12.07

20

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

21

• Date of Onset 2005, following accident
• Social Situation Ash recently started living
  on his own in a flat. He receives assistance
  from his mother but is having some difficulties
  looking after himself ie cooking and cleaning.
• Driving Experience He has a provisional licence
  and has completed CBT twice it is now expired.
  He reported having an assessment previously
  (supplier not known but referred by GP). This
  was an on-road assessment with the assessor
  (who walked with a stick) following Ash on his
  motorbike in a car. It was not concluded and no
  report was provided.

22

• Physical Range of Movement and Strength
• Head and Neck Full
• Trunk Full
• Upper Limbs Reduced right shoulder
• Lower Limbs Full
• Balance Good
• Vision Able to read number plate at 20.5
  metres Peripheral vision adequate
• Cognitive Assessment
• Ash undertook a number of cognitive tests
  designed to demonstrate his processing ability.
• Short term memory very good
• Acoustic reaction test 0.55 secs
• (Acceptable range 0.4 1 sec)
• Visual reaction test 0.66 secs
• (Acceptable range 0.4 1 sec)
• 27 lamp reaction test Average 0.55 secs
• (Acceptable range 0.4 1 sec)

23

• Off Road Circuit Assessment
• Motorcycles used Honda MT50 (50cc) with 5
  gears
• Starting method Kick start
• Basic maintenance/service questions (a per DSA
  riding test) Not assessed
• Basic highway code awareness
• Not assessed
• Awareness of dangers of motorcycles v other
  traffic Not assessed

24

• Awareness of protective clothing requirements
  Able to state basic requirements
• came equipped with full protective
  clothing of medium to high quality which
  appeared to have been well cared for.
• Awareness of static hazards
• Aware of consequences of wet
• roads

25

• Taking off/putting on stand Independent
• Starting Independent
• Moving off/stopping Independent
• Balance at walking pace Not assessed
• Balance at normal driving speed Good
• Use of gearsGood no instruction necessary
• Use of brakesGood no instruction necessary
• Use of throttleGood no instruction necessary
• Use of indicators when moving Not assessed
• Use of lights when moving Not assessed

26

• Steering control round circuit
• No instruction necessary
• Steering control round cones
• Good well controlled and balance
  maintained without putting feet down
• Controlled braking Good
• Emergency stops Not assessed
• On Road Assessment
• Not undertaken

27

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

28
Update 09.05.08

• Ash has now completed CBT with Norfolk Rider
  Training
• His mother has bought him a very nice bike
  which he adores and treats with the greatest
  respect.
• He is back at work.
• His depression has lifted and according to his
  family he is a different person.