The first of the two directives (a new 'break and swerve' course in which they perform high-speed manoeuvres, including an emergency stop at 50mph) is aleady in effect over here in Holland.
Actually it's a bit more sustantial than that. The driver exam for a motorcycle is really 3 exams that you have to pass:
1) Theory - a bit like the theory for a car exam, but with bike-specific questions (position on the road, tire grip, etc.). You have to do this even if you have a car licence.
2) Special manoeuvres - there are 13 (!) special manoeuvres of which you have to do 7 at the exam. Stuff like figure 8, slow slalom, high speed swerve, high speed slalom, emergency stop, low speed manoeuvering, etc. You can see them here:
http://www.motorfreaks.nl/index.php/report/2941/2 and here
http://www.motorfreaks.nl/index.php/report/2941/3
3) Final exam - this is a normal driving exam, i.e. you drive about 45 minutes in traffic with the examinator following you in a car. He gives you directions by radio (you wear an ear piece).
Yes this is very comprehensive and very expenisive. On the average you need 30-40 lessons (50 min/lesson) in order to pass the exams succesfully (a lesson costs around EUR 45 ($50), the exams EUR 100 and 200). So you're spening a lot of money to get your licence.
Oh, you also have to wear full protection (helmet, jacket, pants & boots) during the lessons & 2 riding exams.
Does this suck?
NO!
What happens is 2 things:
-people who want to get their licence & ride a bike are very motivated
-people who pass the exams really know how to ride a bike safely
In the beginning of the process I was really pissed off at all the hassle. Now 2 months after passing the final exam (and 2 months riding, 3000km), I'm glad I got the training that I got. I know how to ride well and safely. Don't forget thet this is one of the most densly populated countires in the world with lots of traffic. So you really need some training if you don't want to kill yourself.
But then again, I guess that some Americans will view killing themselves due to incompetence as their Constitutional right .. Darwinism anyone?