Rider School at HCC Convenes International Experts in Motorcycle Training Group vows to form motorcycle Think Tank (Columbia, MD) On February 28-March 1, 2011, The Rider School at Howard Community College hosted 16 of motorcycling’s top authors, advanced trainers, and noted researchers for a two-day experts’ panel on how to reduce motorcycle crashes and injuries. The ground-breaking event marked the first time internationally acclaimed experts had been gathered and tasked to consider how to improve beginner and street rider training. During the two-day meeting, the group developed 31 specific recommendations for improving motorcycle training in the United States, including: –increasing opportunities for new riders to learn on dirt before riding on pavement, –an enhanced focus on student understanding of motorcycle handling dynamics (rather than just of operating controls), –plans for expanded development of alternatives to traditional licensing training, –strategies for better use of experts in instructional design, and –ideas for improved marketing and promotion of safe riding messages (replicating the participant’s recent successes in the military community.) The group then decided to prepare a report (forthcoming) aimed at influencing public awareness and public policy about riders and rider training. Organizers were invited to present the findings at the annual 2011 State Motorcycle Safety Administrators Conference in Des Moines, Iowa. Last, the group decided to form a think tank about motorcycle safety to be housed at Howard Community College. In addition to The Rider School, participating sponsors included US Insurance Services, The National Association of State Motorcycle Safety Administrators, and Cape Fox Professional Services. The Rider School at Howard Community College is a leading provider of motorcycle instruction in the Mid-Atlantic region, and one of the few schools nationwide that offers a full range of classes for beginner, intermediate, and advanced rider training. For more information on the Rider School, visit the web at RiderSchool.org. and view the video The Rider School at YouTube.com/riderschool. Panelists HCC Rallies Experts Bobbie Carlson Director of Curriculum Services at Cape Fox Professional Services. Internationally, Cape Fox has trained nearly 200,000 US military personnel in motorcycle safety. Dylan Code International provider of advanced rider training in countries like Australia, India, Japan, Dubai, England, South Africa and Guam. Teaches riders and coaches at California Superbike School locations worldwide Keith Code Founder of the California Superbike School and the world’s highest selling author of motorcycle riding books including A Twist of the Wrist. Retired professional road racer Dirk Collins Project Manager for the U.S. Marine Corp’s Semper Ride Program and a project manager for the U.S. Military’s Military Rider Program. Peter Hill Senior Safety Engineer for the U.S. Marine Corps Headquarters, Senior Executive Fellow, Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University Chris Johnson Owner of Washington Motorcycle Safety Training. Advanced riding trainer in England. Creator of the On Street Course, and former amateur road racer Andrew Krajewski Chairperson of the National Association of State Motorcycle Safety Administrators and Director for Driver Safety at the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration Gary LaPlante CEO of Motoventures, Inc, former Arizona champion and nationally ranked motorcycle trials rider, former Kawasaki test rider, and Honda engineer Tracy Martin Vice president of Total Control Training. Co-author of the Total Control Advanced Rider Course, co-author of Motorcycling Safety Foundation’s Guide to Motorcycling Excellence, motorcycle print journalist Jim Ouellet Researcher in the seminal 1975 Hurt Study “Motorcycle Accident Cause Factors and Identification of Countermeasures.” Has published over 40 scientific papers on injury, protective gear, alcohol-impairment, and accident investigation and testified before the U.S. Senate Jim Schmidt Founder and Director of The Rider School at Howard Community College Jeff Tilton Producer of “Semper Ride,” a movie for U.S. Marine Corps motorcycle riders, and veteran professional motocross racer Sponsors U.S. Insurance Services One of the nation’s leading insurance providers for motorcycle riders and the motorcycle training industry, covering all types of instruction for diverse organizations for over 30 years The Rider School at Howard Community College The Rider School is a leading provider of motorcycle instruction in the Mid-Atlantic region, and one of the few schools nationwide that offers a full range of classes for beginner, intermediate, and advanced rider training. Cape Fox Professional Services One of the nation’s leading providers of traffic and motorcycle safety training for the U.S. Department of Defense. Cape Fox has trained over 200,000 military motorcyclists worldwide. National Association of State Motorcycle Safety Administrators A national nonprofit organization dedicated to serving the needs and interests of state motorcycle safety administrators and programs by advocating motorcycle safety and fostering and promoting the exchange of ideas and resources