APRIL 28, 2005

Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land has a simple message for motorcyclists: No matter what you ride, make sure you ride safely.

The Secretary launched this year's motorcycle safety awareness campaign at a Capitol news conference to emphasize the importance of training and licensing in preventing motorcycle crashes, injuries and deaths. Land said that the most important action motorcyclists can take to ensure their safety is to be properly trained, outfitted and licensed before taking to the open road.

"A motorcyclist who is properly trained and licensed has a definite advantage over someone who is not," Land said. "You wouldn't think of putting someone behind the wheel of a car without proper training. Why should a motorcycle be any different?

"And, because a motorcycle doesn't offer the same protection as an automobile, proper training, appropriate clothing and a valid cycle endorsement become the most effective tools riders have to protect themselves on the road."

Motorcycle enthusiasts from across the state joined Land to recognize May as Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month and promote the need for motorcyclists and motorists to share the road. Michigan State University's Pylon Raiders Precision Riding Team performed a series of maneuvers to demonstrate how important practice, experience and skill are in handling a motorcycle.

Motorcycling continues to gain popularity. In 2000, there were 442,492 motorcycle endorsements on file with the Department of State. That number climbed to nearly 500,000 this year. Motorcycle safety advocates and trainers also report that the number of women riders has been increasing. In 2000, there were 35,983 motorcycle endorsements issued to women on file. By 2005, the number of endorsements had increased to 45,846.

In 2003, Michigan motorcyclists traveled a total of nearly 623 million miles, a 5-percent increase over the previous year. During the same reporting period, the number of crashes increased more than 5 percent from 3,030 to 3,187, and injuries rose 7 percent, from 2,470 to 2,644.

"One mistake that riders make is choosing a motorcycle that is beyond their skill level," Land said. "If your last experience on a motorcycle was in college and 30 years later you are straddling the seat of a ‘muscle bike,' you may find yourself unexpectedly overpowered by the machine's sheer size, acceleration and handling. This is why it is crucial for riders to get the training necessary to handle the size of the motorcycle they choose."

The Department of State's Motorcycle Rider and Safety Education Program adheres to a curriculum based on standards set by the national Motorcycle Safety Foundation. It oversees the network of public and private motorcycle training schools. The department expects to graduate more than 10,000 new motorcyclists from the nearly 50 training sites across Michigan this year.

Land recognized the critical role motorcycle safety instructors have in preparing students to ride. Program managers Ann Prenger and Frank Calzaretta were presented with certificates saluting their dedication to motorcycle training and safety. Prenger is the lead coordinator of Schoolcraft College's motorcycle safety classes and program manager for the Detroit-Metro Regional Consortium. Calzaretta is the program manager and motorcycle safety instructor with Biker Bob's Motown Harley Davidson in Taylor.

Land also acknowledged Vince Consiglio and Dan Petterson, the state co-coordinators of the Motorcycle Rider and Safety Education Program, for their commitment to motorcycle safety education.

More information about motorcycle training and endorsement requirements is available on the department's Web site at www.Michigan.gov/sos.

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