I was interested in a used bike at a dealer locally,and negotiated a part ex price for a trade in. The deal was agreed, if I liked the bike on a test ride. Problem - I am almost 75yrs and they said the insurer does not normally cover riders over 70 yrs. They phoned them to explain I was a regular customer/ rider but their insurance company would only agree to cover me If I was accompanied by a member of staff, to " make sure I was safe ", on a ride of no more than 10 mins. I declined the test ride as it would not be long enough to check if the bike was suitable for me.
In the past 11 years, I have had 8 test rides on bikes from that dealer. During those 8 test rides I did not injure myself or anyone else, damage any property, or other vehicle, and returned the bikes undamaged. I bought 7 of the bikes I had test ridden. I have no convictions/ or points on my licence, and never made any sort of insurance claim in 59 yrs of riding bikes.
It's age discrimination!
