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CNN Live At Daybreak

Britain's Royal Heartthrob Now Has Another Way to Get Around

Aired April 24, 2002 - 06:40   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Britain's royal heartthrob now has another way to get around. Buckingham Palace confirms that Prince William has passed his motorcycle test. He still has a few years before he can ride the really big bikes, though. But William is proving himself to be the Prince of wheels. Get it? Prince of wheels.

From London, Ruth Hocky (ph) of ITV News turns the ignition on this story.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

RUTH HOCKY (ph), ITV NEWS (voice-over): It's three years since Prince William passed his car driving test, but now he's mobile on two wheels as well. There were signs early on that he found motorbikes tempting. He practiced for the test on his Kawasaki 125CC at Prince Charles' High Grove (ph) estate. But there are unconfirmed reports that his father's concerns he'll upgrade to a more powerful bike once he's legally allowed at the age of 21.

Motorcycle experts, though, say the test gives a good grounding in road safety.

LEON MANNINGS, BRITISH MOTORCYCLISTS FEDERATION: I'd have to say that he should be congratulated really on passing his test, because it's quite a tough thing, and you really have to prove that you can ride bikes safely now. Which, obviously, we in the biking fraternity welcome.

HOCKY (ph): The number of people learning to ride a motorbike is rising year on year. And as a student at St. Andrews University, Prince William will be well placed to make the most of his new skill.

JOE DUFFIN, MOTORCYCLE INSTRUCTOR: (UNINTELLIGIBLE) motorcycling. Slightly better weather than we get here in the West. So I would think that (UNINTELLIGIBLE) enjoy tremendously.

HOCKY (ph): Whatever the safety concerns, the sight of the student prince riding around Scotland on a motorbike will probably only enhance his image as a cool, young royal.

Ruth Hocky (ph), ITV News.

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