Is there a need for a mandatory

riders class before one can get a motorcycle endorsement?

I was reading an article about mc accidents dropping nationwide but up in Ohio were I live. Here's a portion of it I found interesting.

Nationwide, nearly 4,400 people died while driving or riding on motorcycles last year, according to the report, which projected yearly totals based on data from January through September.

After more than a decade of rising fatalities, it was the second yearly drop, albeit by only 2 percent.

Ohio recorded 169 deaths in 2010, an increase of 5percent from 2009. The state's statistics haven't tracked with national trends, but a drop in 2009 and the increase in 2010 mirrored a respective decline and rise in the number of people licensed to drive motorcycles.

Jim Elgin, chairman of the board of ABATE of Ohio, an advocacy group for motorcyclists, said about 60 percent of fatal crashes in the state involve only a motorcycle, no other vehicles.

That indicates that too many riders lack training and experience, Elgin said. He also called impaired driving a problem.

The Ohio Department of Public Safety began a campaign last week called Ride Smart, which includes safety messages distributed through bars and other places that host bike-night events.


The part underlined is what struck me. I thought the majority of accidents were the old left turn in front of mc. I think we all know people that have been riding xx years and still don't really know things like counter steering as well as the new people. Saw a vid here where a guy used way to much rear brake and went thru the weeds and almost hit a tree.

Sixty percent are single bike accidents. Is that really saying we don't know how to ride? We drink/smoke to much or play Ricky Racer? Or is it because we don't know what we're doing to begin with? Most likely a combination of all 4. Where does the "don't know how to ride person" fits in there.

Could simple 2 day or 10hr class fix this? I'll bet it would help big time. Would you go along with something like this?

 

Yes, there is such a need.

 

Alot of it is time on the job and how unforgiving motorcycles can be to those that do not have any and do not respect what they are dealing with until it is too late. I have known way too many that have ruined the best time of their life before they really got to enjoy it.

 

no helmet Law in Ohio
& I'll put $$$ on the states with no helmet law = more deaths

as for a mandatory riders class YES
I'm also for tiered Licenses

 

The MSF BRC is mando before you can get the Motorcycle endorsement on your license. The course cost isn't even subsidized by the state, but I still consider it well worth the $200 I spent to take it. Even so, I see too many riders out here with their heads stuck between the saddle and their posterior. A mandatory course won't provide any incentive to someone who doesn't care enough about their own well-being to pay attention and learn the materials. They'll just nod their heads, do just enough to pass and then ride off without a lid after getting their cert.

Or worse: They'll do what most people out here in TX already do - ride without training or a valid M endorsement on their license. Ugh.

 

My wife decided that she wants to start riding this year. While I support her 100% (it gave me an excuse to buy another bike after a few years off from riding) I wouldn't even consider letting her ride without her taking the MSF course first. She is already scheduled obvioulsy...

 

Agreed with this. My wife wants to ride. Told her I'd only get her a bike if she passes her MSF. We'll see if she goes through with it!

 

It has long been established that the majority of motorcycle accidents are the motorcyclists fault, contrary to "common opinion." The least of these reasons is that the majority are single vehicle accidents, and that is only reported accidents, there are surely many unreported accidents, the majority of which are surely single vehicle accidents.