Californians Flock to Motorcycle Basic RiderCourses.

California Motorcyclist Safety Program Sets New Record for Month of June

IRVINE, Calif. -- The Motorcycle Safety Foundation, which administers the California Motorcyclist Safety Program under contract with the California Highway Patrol, today announced that a new record for the number of motorcyclists trained in one month was set in June when 7,840 enthusiasts took the MSF's Basic RiderCourse(SM) at 121 ranges throughout the state. The previous record was set in July 2006 when 7,138 Californians participated in the MSF Basic RiderCourse.

The MSF added that training numbers are running at a pace nearly 16 percent higher in 2008 than for the same period last year. In 2007 more than 62,000 students were trained at CMSP sites throughout the state. The CMSP is the largest motorcyclist training program in the United States and has trained more that a half million students since its inception in 1987.

"Training is more popular than ever this summer season," said Robert Gladden, MSF's director of program administration of the California Motorcyclist Safety Program. "We've added new training sites to meet demand and keep the wait time for classes short, and have been adding new CMSP-recognized MSF RiderCoaches to conduct training for the increasing number of new riders."

Gladden added, "A tip of the helmet goes to the RiderCoaches and training site administrators for meeting this high demand so successfully and to the California Highway Patrol for its leadership in overseeing such a comprehensive program."

The MSF Basic RiderCourse is designed for beginning riders. The course, which includes approximately five hours of classroom instruction and 10 hours of riding exercises in a controlled environment, provides a complete introduction to motorcycling. The course is conducted over two or three sessions and motorcycles and helmets are provided. For those who successfully complete the course, the skills portion of the Department of Motor Vehicles motorcycle licensing test is waived.

To locate training anywhere in California, prospective riders can visit www.ca-msp.org, or call 1 (877) RIDE-411.

Since 1973, the Motorcycle Safety Foundation has set internationally recognized standards that promote the safety of motorcyclists with rider education courses, operator licensing tests, and public information programs. The MSF works with the federal government, state agencies, the military, and others to offer training for all skill levels so riders can enjoy a lifetime of safe, responsible motorcycling.

The MSF is a not-for-profit organization sponsored by BMW, BRP, Ducati, Harley-Davidson, Honda, Kawasaki, KTM, Piaggio, Suzuki, Triumph, Victory and Yamaha. For RiderCourse(SM) locations, call 800.446.9227 or visit www.msf-usa.org.