MICHIGAN

MOTORCYCLE RIDER AND

SAFETY EDUCATION
PROGRAM

Ron Wilson , State Coordinator

Motorcycle Rider and Safety Education
Program
Michigan Department of State

Effective October 2003, the Michigan Legislature

transferred the administrative functions of the Motorcycle
Rider and Safety Education Program from the Michigan
Department of Education to the
Michigan Department of State.

Secretary of State
Terri Lynn Lands goal is to
emphasize the importance of
training and licensing in preventing
motorcycle crashes, injuries and death.

Motorcycle Rider and Safety

Education Program
Important component in our states traffic safety
strategy.
Offered statewide through 18 public sponsor and
11 private enterprises.
Basic objective is to provide training to those riders
that are required by law to complete a motorcycle safety
course to be eligible to receive a motorcycle
endorsement.

A University of Michigan report shows that

crashes involving motorcycles climbed 20 percent
from 1997 to 2002. More than 40 percent of those
incidents involved riders who were not legally
authorized to operate a motorcycle on Michigan
roads.
Applicants less than 18 years of age, or
applicants 18 years of age and older who have
failed a skills test two or more times must pass a
motorcycle safety course before being issued
an original motorcycle endorsement.

Motorcycle Rider and Safety

Education Courses
Offers a Basic Rider Course.
Performance Based Course, and Experienced Rider
Course to enhance the skills of beginner riders through
experienced cyclists.
Includes classroom and
range training to explain
motorcycle-related laws and
to provide the ability to
operate a motorcycle safely.

Public courses are

conducted by colleges,
universities, intermediate or
local school districts, law
enforcement agencies, and
other governmental agencies.
Course sponsors are
subsidized through grant
funding cannot charge more
than $25.00.

Courses may also be

conducted by private
business enterprises.
Private business
enterprises determine
their own fees.

During 2005, the Michigans Motorcycle Safety

Education Program graduated approximately 10,000
new motorcycle riders from the nearly 50 training sites
around the state.

The Motorcycle Rider and Safety Education Program

uses the safety standards of the Motorcycle Safety
Foundation. Adhering to those principles promises more
comprehensive and consistent training.

Motorcycle 10-Year Trend

Year

Endorsements

All
Crashes

Fatal
Crashes

1995
1996

432,647
430,846

2,651
2,468

80
61

1997
1998
1999

433,405
438,805
442,492

2,465
2,931
2,820

54
64
77

2000
2001
2002

448,693
457,001
465,786

3,180
3,228
3,030

78
90
82

2003
2004

477,423
487,999

3,187
3,276

76
81

The number of
motorcycles
involved in fatal
crashes has
fluctuated over
the ten-year
period with a high
of 90 in 2001.

Michigan State Police and Michigan Secretary of State

2004 Motorcycle Crash

Statistics by Age Category

Age

# of Crash
Involved
Motorcycle
Drivers
Endorsements

Fatal
Injury
Crashes Crashes

16-24

13,626

577

13

459

25-65

441,155

2480

67

1828

65+

33,218

64

54

Michigan State Police and Michigan Department of State

Motorcycle Registration Law

June 23, 2004, PA 163 of 2004 - Legislature enacted the new
Motorcycle Registration Law. Motorcycle owners birth date
now equals motorcycle registration expiration date.
February 1, 2005 - Department of State began processing
original and renewal registrations using the owners birth date.
Renewals can be processed through a Secretary of State Branch
Office, by mail, phone, or fax.

Motorcycle Endorsement

2005/06 Initiatives
Participate in the Governors Traffic Safety Advisory
Committees Strategic Highway Safety Plan.
Purchased new training motorcycles to be distributed
among the approved training sites.
Expand statewide
motorcycle training
availability.

2005/06 Initiatives
(continued)
Recognize a Motorcycle Safety Foundation Certified
Michigan Coach.

Create a Motorcycle Database.

Completed 2005 Initiatives

Participate in Governors Traffic
Safety Advisory Commission and
created a Motorcycle Action Team.
Revised the Michigan Motorcycle
Operators Manual.
Created a 2005 Private Enterprise
Application.
Promoted May Awareness Month.
Participated in the 2005 Motorcycle
Safety Assessment and made
recommendations to the final report.