South Dakota Motorcycle Rider Education Program

1
South Dakota Motorcycle Rider Education Program
Presentationby Rick KileyDirector, Motorcycle
Rider Education ProgramSouth Dakota Safety
Council
2008 South Dakota Transportation Safety
Conference Transportation Safety Our
Youth February, 19 20, 2008 Ramkota
Inn Pierre, South Dakota
2
South Dakota Motorcycle Rider Education Program
offered by the

• South Dakota Safety Council
• www.southdakotasafetycouncil.org

3
History of Training
4
History of Training (continued)
5
History of Training (continued)
6
History of Training (continued)

• Represents 13 consecutive years of increases in
  training
• Training has increased 5 ½ times during this
  period
• The total number of students trained equals 44
  of all registered motorcycles in the state of
  South Dakota (2006 SD Motor Vehicles Division
  Registration Statistics))

7
Funding Source

• One of the first states in the nation with a
  legislated state funding source
• 7 fee on all motorcycles registered
• Student Tuition (presently 75)
• Federal Grants (used at times in the past)
• Acknowledgements
• Funded by the Motorcyclists of South Dakota
• SD ABATE, SD Office of Highway Safety, SD
  legislators, SD Motorcycle Dealers and other
  organizations and individuals have been highly
  supportive
• No state tax dollars other than the fees paid by
  motorcyclists are used to support this program

8
Training Sites

• Aberdeen Redfield
• Brookings (future) Sioux Falls (4 sites)
• Huron Spearfish/Sturgis
• Madison Watertown
• Mitchell (future) Webster
• Pierre Yankton
• Rapid City (2 sites)
• Mobile sites are possible providing there is
  demand, required space (200x300), and facilities

9
Program Personnel

• 61 dedicated RiderCoaches statewide
• All RiderCoaches have state and national
  certification through the Motorcycle Safety
  Foundation (MSF)
• Must recertify every two years involves
  actively teaching, attending update training, and
  participating in professional development
  learning activities
• Program administrator, 2 part time regional
  coordinators, and other office support staff

10
Basic RiderCourse (BRC)

• BRC General Information
• Intended for beginning riders of legal licensing
  age or returning riders
• Two day course (15 hours) many schedule options
  available
• Safety equipment required helmet, eye
  protection, gloves, jacket, pants, and over the
  ankle boots
• Qualifies graduates for motorcycle license test
  waiver
• Qualifies graduates for insurance premium
  discounts with some motorcycle insurers

11
Basic RiderCourse (BRC)(continued)

• BRC General Information (continued)
• The BRC is a minimum of five hours of classroom
  instruction
• Involves at least ten hours of practical riding
  in a controlled, off-street environment,
  typically a parking lot
• Motorcycles are provided (combination of state
  owned, SDSC owned, and new motorcycles loaned by
  local dealers)

12
Basic RiderCourse (BRC)(continued)

• BRC Riding Skills
• Learn how to operate a motorcycle safely, with a
  lot of emphasis on the special skills and mental
  attitude necessary for dealing with traffic
• Skills taught include straight-line riding,
  turning, shifting and stopping
• Gradually progress to cornering, swerving and
  emergency braking

13
Basic RiderCourse (BRC)(continued)

• BRC Classroom Instruction
• Includes learning about the different types of
  motorcycles, their controls, and how they operate
• Advise on what to wear for comfort and protection
• Information on how alcohol and other drugs affect
  your ability to ride safely
• Learn how to create your own strategy for riding
  in traffic, and dealing with critical situations

14
Basic RiderCourse (BRC)(continued)

• Graduation Requirements
• Knowledge Test score a minimum average correct
  of 80 or higher
• Skill Evaluation 20 or fewer deductions on 4
  riding skills test exercises

15
Experienced RiderCourse (ERC)

• ERC General Information
• Even if you've been riding for some time, there's
  always something new to learn
• The ERC is a ½ day (5 hour) course
• Must be licensed with at least one year riding
  experience

16
Experienced RiderCourse (ERC)(continued)

• ERC General Information (continued)
• Participants use their own insured and safe
  operating motorcycle
• Safety equipment required helmet, eye
  protection, gloves, jacket, pants, and over the
  ankle boots
• Qualifies graduates for insurance premium
  discounts with some motorcycle insurers

17
Experienced RiderCourse (ERC)(continued)

• ERC Curriculum
• Participants hone their skills and fine-tune the
  mental skills needed for survival in traffic
• Using your own motorcycle, you'll put into
  practice the techniques of managing traction,
  stopping quickly, cornering and swerving
• Discuss with peers how to balance the mental and
  physical aspects of safe riding, manage risk,
  increase visibility and optimize your lane
  position

18
Experienced RiderCourse (ERC)(continued)

• ERC Curriculum (continued)
• Also covers protective gear, rider
  responsibility, motorcycle inspection and care,
  the effects of alcohol and other drugs on riding
• Includes an optional skill evaluation and
  knowledge test

19
How to Register for a Course

• Online Registration available
• www.southdakotasafetycouncil.org
• Check the website for courses close to you or
  call the South Dakota Safety Council at
  1-800-952-5539