MSF Once Again Selected To Administer California Motorcyclist Safety Program

From a press release issued by Motorcycle Safety Foundation:
IRVINE, Calif. - The California Highway Patrol selected the Motorcycle Safety Foundation to administer the California Motorcyclist Safety Program (CMSP) for the fourth consecutive time. Under contract with the CHP, the MSF initially assumed the administration of the CMSP on Jan. 1, 2004 and has administered the program ever since. The new contract calls for the MSF to administer the motorcyclist-funded, state-operated program for a three-year term, from January 1, 2010 through December 31, 2012, with two additional one-year options, for a total contract of up to five years.

The new CMSP contract includes a 15 percent reduction in student administrative costs to the state; savings that increase state funding for motorcycle safety made possible by riders through payment of the $2 Motorcycle Safety Fee on California motorcycle registrations and renewals.

"These savings in per-student administrative costs mean that more of the riders' money goes back into state funds that will directly benefit California motorcyclists," said Robert Gladden, MSF director of program administration. "We have every confidence in the California Highway Patrol and the CMSP Advisory Committee as stewards of the California Motorcycle Safety Fund to reinvest these savings to train more riders and support motorcyclists' safety throughout the state."

Student tuition fees for the CMSP Basic RiderCoursesm will remain the same as they have been since 2008: no more than $250 for riders who are 21 years and older and $150 for riders under 21.

"Despite the challenges of the economy and escalation of program expenses, we're thrilled to be able to again maintain a cap on the CMSP Basic RiderCourse student fees for the 2010-2012 riding seasons, because it makes training more affordable for more potential riders," Gladden said. "It's through diligent development and monitoring, as well as shared MSF resources like the online RiderCourse Enrollment System and the Quality Assurance Program that we're able to keep costs in line and still deliver outstanding training that serves the needs of riders in California."

The online RiderCourse Enrollment System made its debut in late 2007, making it easy for students to find and enroll in training at the site of their choice. Students have access to information such as the number currently enrolled in a given class, or whether a class is full, because the system is updated in real time by authorized CMSP training sites. A recent survey showed that 79 percent of students completed the entire enrollment process online without phone calls, which means reduced administrative time and costs.

The Quality Assurance Program also lowered costs for the CMSP through the MSF's increased investment in research. The MSF designed, built and tested the program now being used by the CMSP and 17 other states.

"We're extremely proud of our track record with the CMSP and the increasing numbers of students who are getting started in motorcycling the right way, by taking the MSF Basic RiderCourse," said MSF President Tim Buche. "We look forward to continuing to partner with the California Highway Patrol and the CHP's CMSP Advisory Committee to best serve the motorcycle education and training needs of California's riders."

The CMSP Program trained 70,053 students in 2008, an 11 percent increase over 2007, setting what is believed to be the record for most students trained in a year by any state program. The CMSP has 125 active ranges, 494 MSF-certified RiderCoaches and six RiderCoach Trainers. The CMSP also has a robust professional development program for its RiderCoaches providing a full day of topic-driven workshops annually.

The Motorcycle Safety Foundation promotes rider safety through rider training systems, 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 internationally recognized 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 RiderCourseSM locations, call (800) 446-9227 or visit www.msf-usa.org.