Returning riders are encouraged to take a class for safety

Noting their disproportionate involvement in crashes, Secretary of State Ruth Johnson today encouraged baby boomers who ride a motorcycle or are thinking about it to take a returning-rider safety course, even if they rode in their younger days.

“Riders in their 50s and 60s who are getting back into motorcycling are strongly encouraged to take one of the rider education refresher courses we offer,” Johnson said. “People joke about never forgetting how to ride a bike, but operating a motorcycle is different. It requires constant practice to develop the judgment and skills necessary to identify and avoid hazardous situations on the road.”

Boomers interested in refreshing their riding skills should look into the department’s Returning Rider Basic Rider Course and the Advanced Rider Course. The department also offers a class for three-wheeled motorcycles, and a Basic Rider Course designed for those who are new to or wish to review the fundamentals of motorcycling.

Johnson noted that male motorcycle riders aged 50-69 were involved in 34.1 percent of all two-vehicle crashes involving a motorcycle and 33.6 percent of all single-vehicle crashes (crashes just involving the motorcyclist). Female riders aged 40-59 are at the greatest risk of being involved in either a multiple vehicle or single vehicle crash.

“Our goal is to keep everyone safe on the road,” she added. “Motorcyclists should take a rider education safety course, always wear the proper gear and make sure they have the motorcycle endorsement before they ride.”

Visit www.michigan.gov/motorcycling for a list of motorcycle safety training programs across the state. To learn more about motorcycling and the Michigan Rider Education Program, go to www.michigan.gov/mi-rep.

More information about motorcycling in Michigan is available on the Motorcycle Fact Sheet.

Secretary of State Ruth Johnson has prepared a video with a motorcycle safety message.