From Michele Hand, Governor's appointee on the Montana Motorcycle Safety Advisory Committee (MMSAC) representing State motorcyclist's groups.
 

The 2005 legislative session had only a few changes that affect motorcyclists but a lot affecting ATV (quadricycle) operation. A motorcycle endorsement is no longer required to operate an ATV, which is a good change for them and should relieve some wait time for our rider ed class enrollment. We were involved with drafting the motorcycle parts of the graduated driver licensing law and tried to help with defining "nonstandard" vehicles (those baby bikes). Submitted but never introduced was a bill that would have required us to help fund child safety seats. Alcohol as a fuel additive has been scheduled for all of MT based on specific agricultural goals, no changes for now. Although some new fees were proposed, the biggest change you will notice is that a lot of the little fees for registration are going to be lumped into one amount ("fee simplification"); we were successful in retaining the separate MCSAFE line item on your motorcycle registration receipt - that's our training money and we want to see it. This fee has not been dropped from quads, however, so we are going to evaluate what that means for collections and what can be done.

The MMSAC met in Helena on May 12. We discussed that Yellowstone Harley Davidson is the first MT HD dealer to offer Rider's Edge, the HD version of the MSF rider ed classes. Eric Albright from Bozeman was chosen as the peer representative for the rider coaches, taking Ken Conrad's position on the board - Thanks, Ken. Other rider coach news: We are losing the Rokeys due to a military reassignment and they both mentioned how, of all the places they've participated in rider ed, this was the best experience. We'll miss you, too, thanks and good luck.

There are 12 candidates to go through the certification course in June, that's a full class. Dal Smilie and I attended the spring update for the instructors, this is a continuing education type of thing for their certification, it was held in Great Falls April 2. We have our own rider coach trainer now and no longer import someone for these sessions, plus we have another rider coach interested in being certified to this next level - Hey, no pressure, folks! We will have site observations this year as a quality assurance process.

Registration for rider safety education classes began Feb 1st and as usual, everything is filling up. Bozeman has experienced rider courses scheduled but so far no takers. Tuition is $135 for the basic course, $65 for the experienced course (where you ride your own bike) and group discounts are available. Check the website for schedules, class locations, questions, etc: http://motorcycle.msun.edu/ Or call 1-800-922-2453 (BIKE)