Motorcycle Operator Safety Classes

It’s hard to travel a mile on a public street or highway these days without seeing a motorcycle. There are a lot of reasons why motorcycles have gained in popularity in recent years, but these days with gasoline prices soaring into the stratosphere; many people are considering a motorcycle as a financially viable alternate mode of transportation. Motorcycle ridership is indeed on the rise and there is plenty of statistical data to prove it. Interestingly, only 21 of 50 states currently require some form of mandatory motorcycle safety training, but with the increase in the numbers of riders, there will undoubtedly come greater statutory requirements for new riders to take rider education courses for state motorcycle operator licensure.

This article will briefly examine the salient points of motorcycle operator safety classes.

What are they?

Motorcycle operator safety training courses are offered in a wide variety of locations nationwide and are primarily designed to educate and train either new or seasoned motorcycle riders in the safe handling and operation of motorcycles on public streets and highways. Though there are independent course providers available, the vast majority of motorcycle education and training providers has adopted the Motorcycle Safety Foundation’s (MSF) course syllabus and utilize MSF certified instructors. In fact, the Motorcycle Safety Foundation and the variety of courses offered have become the standard that nearly all states officially recognize for motorcycle operator licensure and will waive the written and/or practical test for the applicant who has successfully completed the course.

Who should take them?

Ideally, anyone who currently rides, or intends to ride a motorcycle can benefit from rider safety courses and should attend, though not all states have adopted mandatory compliance.

If you live in one of the 21 states currently requiring some form of training, you may not have an out. As of July 1, 2008, of the 21 states with requirements, 3 mandate rider education courses for all riders seeking a motorcycle endorsement, regardless of age. The remaining 18 states place certain age and/or engine displacement restrictions on the requirement for rider education.

Generally, rider courses are primarily intended for the novice or inexperienced rider, but the MSF, as well as other independent course providers, have also developed advanced rider courses which are being offered for well-seasoned riders. In fact, many law enforcement agencies have adopted the advanced rider courses offered by the MSF.

What are the goals of the classes?

Simply stated, the ultimate goal or objective of any rider safety class is to enhance the motorcycling experience through creating a safe and responsible rider, and to promote a safe environment for all motorists whether they travel on 2 wheels or 4. This is accomplished through the development of knowledge, as well as specific physical and mental skills such as awareness, anticipation and judgment.

What do classes typically teach?

Course curricula will tend to vary somewhat depending on whether you take an MSF rider course through an approved provider, or choose and independent provider. The MSF course(s) are very uniform and standardized nationwide, utilizing foundation certified instructors, while independent providers may have greater variation from one to the next. Either way one chooses to go, some of the key learning points the course should emphasize are:

Pre-ride preparation (proper riding gear and motorcycle inspection).
Motorcycle controls.
Precision control (balance, starting stopping, turning, etc.).
Traffic strategies (lane changes, passing, hazard recognition, etc.).
Emergency procedures (swerving, obstacle avoidance, maintaining control).
Impairments to safe riding (drugs, alcohol, stress, lack of sleep, etc.).
Risk management.
Awareness.
Anticipation.
Judgment.

Though not a comprehensive list of all possible learning points, these form a solid foundation, particularly to the new or inexperienced rider.

Who offers these classes and how much do they cost?

There are many course providers nationwide. Perhaps the most common providers of motorcycle safety courses can be found at state or community colleges, but courses can also be found through local high schools, motorcycle dealerships, motorcycle clubs, governmental or pseudo-governmental state run agencies, or through local independent motorcycle schools.

Costs for motorcycle operator safety classes will vary widely from state to state, and depend on whether you are a minor and the specific course of study. Minor riders may find courses as low as $50 for an introductory basic riding course, while intermediate to advanced, or “seasoned” riders can expect upwards of $500 for courses teaching higher performance techniques and precision. Most adult individuals, however, seek a basic riding course for an initial motorcycle operator endorsement, and can typically expect to pay somewhere in the range of $150 to $300 for a typical 15-hour program.

So what’s in it for me?

Since there are presently 29 states that place no requirement on rider education, you may be wondering why you should spend your hard-earned money or donate a valuable weekend taking a course the state does not require for obtaining a motorcycle endorsement. After all, in these states, an adult rider can simply practice in a parking lot and go take the written and practical tests at the state agency.

So really, what is the benefit? Well, besides the obvious answer of simply making you a safer, more skilled rider, there are actually a number of benefits to taking a safe riding course. One of the best benefits is drawing on the experience of the course instructor, a seasoned rider. They make themselves available to help in specific areas you may be struggling with, and will give you lots of hints, tips and smart advice. It’s an invaluable place to learn riding strategies and identify hazards you may have never thought about. It’s also a great place to connect with other new riders and perhaps even find a new riding buddy. But the real pièce de résistance, the single prized benefit that outshines all others: take a motorcycle operator safety class because it’s a pretty cheap insurance policy that may save your life.