Recipients are MSF’s CMSP Quality Assurance Team and Robert Gladden, MSF Director, Program Administration IRVINE, Calif., April 7, 2009 – The Motorcycle Safety Foundation was honored by the California Highway Patrol (CHP) on March 22, 2009 with two awards for the California Motorcyclist Safety Program (CMSP). The awards were presented by the CHP to kick off the CMSP’s semi-annual Quality Assurance Team Meeting in Irvine, Calif. The CMSP is a motorcyclist-funded, state-operated program administered by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF). According to Lieutenant Ryan Stonebraker of the CHP, who was joined by Officer Shameil Coleman, the first Award of Appreciation was presented to the Motorcycle Safety Foundation’s CMSP Quality Assurance (QA) Team for their continued contributions to maintaining the sanctity of the program. The QA Team is a peer-review group consisting of 22 members, including MSF-certified RiderCoaches, CMSP Site Managers, and CMSP Site Administrators, all of whom have received additional training and devote extra time outside of their normal responsibilities to conduct Quality Assurance Visits (QAVs). In 2008, the QA Team executed a record 264 visits. Usually unannounced, the half-day Quality Assurance Visits include observation of training and verification that all training site equipment requirements are followed. The primary objective of the Quality Assurance Team is to ensure that all CMSP students enjoy a safe, high-quality learning experience that is in conducted in accordance with the principles of the MSF Basic RiderCourse curriculum. The QA Team also provides feedback and suggestions aimed at helping each site best serve the training needs of current and prospective motorcyclists. “It is apparent the CMSP Quality Assurance Team goes to great lengths to ensure the program is conducted appropriately,” said Lt. Stonebraker, “Simultaneously, the CMSP Quality Assurance Team promotes professionalism among RiderCoaches statewide.” The second award, a Certificate of Appreciation, was presented to Mr. Robert Gladden for his “…exemplary service to the CMSP, and unwavering commitment to quality instruction, student and RiderCoach safety, and the goal of making the California Motorcyclist Safety Program the national flagship of motorcycle rider training programs.” “Mr. Gladden has been a tremendously positive influence to the motorcycle community in the realm of safety,” Lt. Stonebraker continued. “Mr. Gladden’s tenacity and drive for the success of the CMSP has not gone unnoticed by the California Highway Patrol. This is evident by CMSP being the largest and most successful motorcyclist safety program in the nation.” Robert Gladden recently celebrated his twentieth year working in the motorcycle industry. He joined the MSF in 2001, and began administering the California Motorcyclist Safety Program in July 2004. “I’m very honored to accept this award on behalf of everyone involved with making the California Motorcyclist Safety Program the success it is,” said Gladden. “I didn’t do this alone – it’s people like our RiderCoaches, the CMSP Site Managers and Site Administrators, plus the direction provided by the California Highway Patrol that’s enabled this program to serve the training needs of literally hundreds of thousands of current and prospective motorcyclists of California.” The California Motorcyclist Safety Program trained 70,469 students in 2008, an 11 percent increase over 2007, setting what is believed to be the record for most students trained in a year by any state program. The CMSP has 124 active ranges, 494 MSF-certified RiderCoaches, and six RiderCoach Trainers. Under contract with the California Highway Patrol, the MSF initially assumed the administration of the CMSP on January 1, 2004. In September 2007 MSF was again selected by CHP to administer the CMSP for 2008 and 2009. 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 RiderCourseSM locations, call 800.446.9227 or visit www.msf-usa.org.