Motorcycle Safety Foundation Participates at the International Conference on Safety and Mobility of Vulnerable Road Users in Jerusalem, Israel Featured Speakers Include Tim Buche, MSF President and Ray Ochs, Ed.D, MSF Director of Training Systems IRVINE, Calif. The Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) wrapped up its participation yesterday at the International Conference on Safety and Mobility of Vulnerable Road Users: Pedestrians, Motorcyclists, and Bicyclists, held in Jerusalem, Israel, May 30 June 2, 2010. Two academic papers, “The MSF RETS: A System Designed to Succeed” and “Preparing Riders to S.E.E. Better: MSF Tools for Improving Hazard Perception,” were submitted to the conference by the MSF. The papers were presented on June 2 by MSF President Tim Buche and Director of Training Systems Dr. Ray Ochs. “We are honored to have our papers on the MSF’s state-of-the-art of motorcycle safety and training accepted for presentation at this prestigious conference,” said Buche. “It was a tremendous opportunity to promote the systems approach of the MSF Rider Education and Training System (RETS) to an international audience of academically-oriented experts and stakeholders.” Sponsored by Israel’s National Road Safety Authority in cooperation with the United States Transportation Research Board (TRB) and the Forum of European Road Safety Research Institutes (FERSI), the conference brought together the latest scientific information, best practices, and policies from different countries with different cultures and experiences. It focused on research, countermeasures, and programmatic implementation, and included plenary talks by international experts, oral presentations of papers, poster sessions, workshops, and panel discussions. Buche’s presentation, “The MSF RETS: A System Designed to Succeed,” was based on the paper he co-authored with Dr. Ochs and MSF Director of Quality Assurance and Research Dr. Sherry Williams. In his presentation, Buche described how the MSF systems approach to curriculum design is underscored by what the MSF has termed “safety renewal,” the concept that a rider should be exposed to multiple, lifelong learning experiences about safe riding techniques and personal responsibility. He described the underpinnings of the MSF Rider Education and Training System how it honors contemporary theories and practices in learning, and also touched on the multitude of support tools MSF offers such as technical assistance for training and licensing, certification standards, professional development, and quality assurance. He also addressed the MSF’s perspective on research how the MSF uses research as a tool ‘to improve’ on its support of riders, pointing to the MSF’s newest research project, the MSF Naturalistic Study of Motorcyclists. Dr. Ochs’ presentation, “Preparing Riders to S.E.E. Better: MSF Tools for Improving Hazard Perception,” examined how hazard perception is addressed in the MSF Rider Education and Training System. “S.E.E.” is an acronym for “Search Evaluate Execute.” He described two of several new programs the MSF has been working on to provide training in hazard perception. He delivered an overview of Street Smart Rider Perception, a 90-minute classroom-only learning experience that includes modern visual technology and classroom activities; as well as its accompanying online hazard awareness activity a self-paced module called Rider Perception Challenge!, available online here. He also described the SMARTrainer Class Traffic Awareness program (SMART: Safe Motorcyclist Awareness and Recognition Trainer.) These MSF-developed programs not only assist riders in developing their hazard perception skills, but also expand learning activities to address human visual characteristics as well as executive functions. According to conference Organizing Committee Chair David Shinar, “The purpose of this international conference on the safety and mobility of vulnerable road users is to address all of these issues in order to provide a safer world. It is through the meeting of the minds and personal interactions of professionals committed to these safety issues that significant improvements can be achieved.” View or download the paper or presentation, “The MSF RETS: A System Designed to Succeed.” View or download the paper, “Preparing Riders to S.E.E. Better: MSF Tools for Improving Hazard Perception.” The Motorcycle Safety Foundation promotes safety through rider training and education, 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. Standards established by the MSF have been recognized worldwide since 1973. 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 safety information or to enroll in the RiderCourseSM nearest you, visit www.msf-usa.org or call (800) 446-9227.