How to do a motorbike CBT on a Seat Mo electric scooter

Once we had shown we were capable of undertaking these safety procedures, Angelo demonstrated how to negotiate left and right turns out of junctions.

He explained the importance of the mirror, signal and manoeuvre procedure, adding that checking your surroundings and observing other road users was important when turning out of a junction.  Do you need to learn Highway Code?

You don't need to have the Highway Code committed to memory, but having a basic understanding will come in handy for the on-road training. For this part of the course it was back to the classroom where Angelo asked us to answer questions on the highway code.

He took us through the many and varied crossings that a rider may encounter on the road such as a zebra or pelican crossing. We also discussed the meaning of different road signs and markings and what to do when riding in built-up areas around schools.  This was an effective way to prepare for the upcoming on-road practical ride as it honed in the importance of adhering to road signs and signals when riding a motorcycle. 

How does the on-road element of a CBT work?

The final part of a CBT involves a two-hour on-road practical assessment where the instructor will assess the core skills you have learnt in the on-site training session. 

Angelo was able to communicate with me while on the road through a one-way radio system meaning he could provide guidance and directions.  To test our ability to ride safely while adhering to the rules of the roads, we were taken on a number of different routes which presented a number of challenges. 

At times during the ride, Angelo would ask me and my fellow trainees to stop to talk about any concerns that we had. Angelo was pleased with the progress we had made on the road, but reiterated the importance of checking our surroundings with over-the-shoulder checks and using our mirrors to spot hazards from behind. 

Although there were a great deal of things to remember while riding on the road the Seat Mo proved to be a simple and easy machine to navigate around the busy roads of Edgware. 

Having successfully overcome roundabouts, dual-carriageways, sideroads and busy junctions, Angelo asked us to pull over so he could see a U-turn and emergency stop. 

Naturally this proved less demanding having practised the manoeuvre earlier in the day. I managed to execute the turn in the road and emergency stop with no issues. 

Once the two hours was up it was back to the test centre to see if I had been successful. 

Is doing a CBT on an electric bike any different from doing it on a petrol bike?

Electric scooters and motorbikes don’t have any gears which means you only have to twist the throttle to accelerate. This makes doing a CBT on an electric bike easier than on a 125cc bike with gearing, because you have one less thing to think about.

Ultimately the CBT is the same whether you are riding an electric motorbike or a petrol machine, as you are still required to show a certain level of competence both on and off the road.

Electric scooters are generally heavier than a 125cc petrol equivalent and as I discovered, this did make some parts of the CBT more difficult, especially if you're new to riding a motorbike.

If I do a CBT on an electric bike can I only drive electric bikes on it?Anyone who opts to complete their CBT on an electric scooter or motorbike can still ride a geared, petrol motorbike on the road – just like you can do a CBT on a petrol bike and then ride an electric one.

It is worth emphasising that electric and ICE motorbikes are very different so if you do want to ride a machine with a gearbox, we recommend doing a gear conversion course to help with the transition. 

What does it cost?A CBT can cost anywhere between £120 and £200 and often includes hire of a helmet, protective jacket, gloves and a certificate once the training has been completed.

What kit do you need?You can purchase your own equipment before your training but most training centres will loan you the correct equipment. 

If you do book yourself onto a course, it is important that you wear sturdy trousers such as jeans and shoes or boots that cover your ankle to protect yourself should you have an accident. 

Is the Seat Mo a good bike to do a CBT on?Once familiar with the Seat, it performed well during my time riding it – and still had plenty of battery life left at the end of the course. To begin with it was quite tricky to modulate the throttle, as the twist accelerator was very sensitive. During the on-site training where we were required to do slower speed manoeuvres such as a figure of eight, it was hard to maintain a slow speed.