LIVONIA, MI – One out of every nine U.S. road fatalities accounted in 2009 involved motorcycle riders. This steady increase in fatalities over the past decade represents one of our Nation’s greatest highway safety challenges.

In response, the Continuing Education and Professional Development department of Schoolcraft College is continuing to offer its motorcycle safety classes via the Detroit Regional Safety Consortium.  The Consortium includes these local community colleges: Schoolcraft College, Henry Ford Community College, Macomb Community College, Monroe Community College, Oakland Community College, St. Clair Community Colege and Wayne County Community College. Classes are available starting March 19 throughout the summer and fall months.

The motorcycle safety program offers a variety of courses from the Basic Rider Course for someone who has minimal knowledge/experience and is looking to get their motorcycle endorsement, to the Expereinced Rider Course, which is for licensed cyclists and is specifically designed for large touring motorcycles and sport bikes. 

Upon successful completion of a State-approved Motorcycle Safety Foundation course, the Secretary of State waives the riding skills test required for a cycle endorse­ment. However, a short written test required for license endorsement will be given at the Secretary of State at the time of endorsement application. In addition to the short written test, given at the Secretary of State, a more extensive test will be given as part of the motorcycle course.

The fee for each of these courses is only $25, which is made possible through a grant administered by the Michigan Department of State. Since the motorcycle safety consortium of seven community colleges was formed in 1999, the program has trained over 41,771 students.

Registration is going on now and courses run through September.  For more information on the Motorcycle Safety Program visit www.schoolcraft.edu/ces/motorcycle.asp or call 734-462-4448.