Motorcycles are different from cars – isn’t that why we love them? For better or worse, the lack of a metal cage adds to a unique sense of freedom. Feeling as if you are one with nature and the road — plus all the really cool riding gear — makes motorcycles very appealing.
Unfortunately, riding motorcycles can be dangerous as well. On average, motorcycles weigh about 400 pounds, whereas the average passenger car weighs 2,800 to 3,200 pounds. If a motorcycle is in an accident, motorcyclists often suffer catastrophic injuries, such as brain and spinal cord injuries that can result in permanent damages or death. Motorcycles are more difficult for drivers of larger vehicles to see and avoid and can be thrown off course easily by unexpected damage and debris in the road, so it is important for motorcyclists to develop skills, coordination, and balance in ways that sitting behind the wheel just doesn’t require, so they can operate their cycles as safely as possible.
These are just some of the reasons why it is important for all motorcyclists to take a motorcycle safety course. There are many groups that offer these courses. The most well-known is the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF), which is a nonprofit organization supported by motorcycle manufacturers. This foundation offers courses to start, improve or advance your ride, so you can take them whether you are just beginning to ride a motorcycle or just need to enhance your safety skills.
Here in the Bluegrass State, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet and Eastern Kentucky University’s Traffic Safety Institute administer the Motorcycle Safety Education (MSE) course. The MSE offers a 16-hour course that teaches basic motorcycle skills, as well as an advanced course geared toward enhancing the skills of experienced drivers.
Reasons to Take a Motorcycle Safety Course
Taking a motorcycle safety course usually involves paying some money, but there are many benefits that make a course in Kentucky more than worth it. These include:
Safety and Skill Development — The course provides valuable training to learn proper riding techniques and safety strategies from certified instructors. You will have a chance to practice essential skills like braking, turning, and emergency maneuvers in a controlled environment so you can develop good habits and avoid unsafe practices on the road.
Self-confidence — The techniques that are taught are applicable to real world situations, so you can drive more confidently while on the road. Learning them in a controlled environment on a smaller bike provides fundamental building blocks that allow riders to share the road with confidence.
Exposure to motorcycling – This is a benefit for individuals who are drawn to the idea of riding, but don’t know anyone with a motorcycle and are not sure if they can handle one. Safety classes provide bikes for hands-on instruction, making it a great opportunity to determine how deep your “interest” really goes, what kind of motorcycle might be right for you, and whether you can handle all that comes with wearing a helmet. Taking a course is an inexpensive way to try riding and allows you have the chance to try different types of bikes without investing in a bike and gear, not to mention bike maintenance and insurance.
Easier to get your license — In Kentucky, successful completion of a recognized program can allow an applicant to bypass portions of the license exam. After July 15, 2023, successful completion of completing an approved motorcycle safety course such as the Basic Rider Course (BRC) allows you to bypass both the written and skills testing requirements for obtaining your motorcycle endorsement. To take the course, it is required to have either a current motorcycle permit or a valid driver’s license. You will be able to avoid the 30-day waiting period normally required between getting an instruction permit and taking the skills test. In addition, completing an approved course is mandatory for all first-time riders who want to obtain a Class M motorcycle license.
Financial benefits — Classes offered by the MSF may come with perks in the form of a refund or discount on a new bike. Many insurance companies will give a discount ranging from five to twenty percent for completion of a certified motorcycle safety course. Potential insurance discounts could offset the course cost over time, and the course is free for minors under 18 in Kentucky.
Provides Practice — Don’t take a risk by riding with stale skills. There are courses designed to refresh, redevelop, or correct skills without spending time on the written exam necessary for first-timers. As athletes know, it’s as important to retrain on fundamentals as it is to fine-tune details. Complacence can be just as dangerous as novelty. At the very least, you might learn something new or be able to take pride in the awareness that you are doing something right.
For the greater good — The MSF’s mission statement is “To make motorcycling safer and more enjoyable by ensuring access to lifelong quality education and training for current and prospective riders, and by advocating a safer riding environment.” Even responsible riders have to accept that motorcyclists are often perceived as reckless. Safety training can only help in negating such damaging misconceptions, which often work against motorcyclists who are assumed to be at fault if involved in a crash.
Get Help from an Experienced Motorcycle Accident Attorney
If you have any questions about this topic, have been injured in a motorcycle accident, or have lost a loved one in a KY motorcycle crash, the attorneys at the Johnson Law Firm can help. Founded and overseen by Attorney Billy Johnson, who rides (his favorite bike is his Harley Davidson CVO Ultra Classic), the Pikeville, KY-based Johnson Law Firm has, for over 15 years, represented motorcyclists who have been injured in a wide variety of situations. Billy has the skill and tenaciousness to go toe-to-toe with insurance companies and ensure that they pay fair amounts to victims of motorcycle crashes. Our Kentucky attorneys are fully prepared to fight for the compensation motorcycle riders deserve.
For a no-obligation, free consultation, call us today at 606-437-4488.
Attorney Billy Johnson
William “Billy” Johnson grew up in the Dorton area of Pike County, Kentucky, and early on decided to stay in the beautiful Appalachian mountains. Like many others in Eastern Kentucky, Billy’s dad worked as a coal miner, a hard job but one that taught his son how to meet challenges head on and persevere. Attorney Billy Johnson has years of experience helping injured clients with claims such as car, truck, and motorcycle accidents, wrongful deaths, work injuries, and more. [ Attorney Bio ]
