Cycle News Staff | 23 August 2024
The Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) is known for its motorcycle riding courses that prepare people for life on two wheels and teach advanced riders their motorcycle riding skills. To help develop the sport and get more people on the right path, the MSF recently launched RIDE Day. These one-day events include MOTO Intro, where those who have never ridden before can try out a motorcycle for the first time, and/or SKILLS Check, where experienced riders have the opportunity to practice more advanced techniques under the guidance of MSF RiderCoaches.
RIDE Day experiences take place from March to November at select training locations across the U.S. and are completely free. Starting in September, MSF is preparing for 90 days of RIDE Day, a nationwide effort to get as many new riders on motorcycles as possible.
We recently caught up with Corey Eastman, Director of Rider Education Expansion at MSF, to get details on RIDE Day and the upcoming wave of events. This is an excerpt from that chat. You can listen to the full conversation soon on the Cycling news YouTube channel
Tell us what MSF is doing and why we are talking about RIDE Day today?
Thank you! The MSF has been around for about 50 years. It was started by the big motorcycle manufacturers because motorcycling was booming in the early 70s and there weren’t many people teaching or learning how to ride with the basics – you didn’t even need a motorcycle license. So as motorcycling became more popular, it became clear that states needed people to get licenses to make sure there was a general level of proficiency. The MSF was started to develop curriculum so people could learn to ride properly.
Wow, this is a really responsible organization.
Yes, exactly. And this mission has continued. MSF courses are now recommended or required for obtaining a driver’s license in 46 states and in all branches of the US military.
But I learned from talking to you that MSF is more than just a way to get a motorcycle License. MSF is involved in many other areas.
MSF has made its name with the basic course and skills, but we offer many more ways to be your best. That includes the first experience. With MSF, we have 2000 training locations in 46 different states and over 6000 certified trainers teaching the MSF curriculum. So we have a group of talented, experienced people who can take people on their first ride. That’s how RIDE Day was born.
Tell us what RIDE Day is.
RIDE Day is a program we have developed at MSF to work with trainers and ranges across the country to promote events in their area. This allows new riders to have their first experience riding a motorcycle without having to invest a lot of money. Safety equipment is provided. Motorcycles are provided. Trainers accompany each new rider the whole time. It is a very easy way to give someone their first experience riding a motorcycle in a very controlled environment.
The locations where a RIDE Day takes place are shooting ranges or places where MSF’s current curriculum is taught but which are now being opened up for an introduction to motorcycling. You can bring someone there with you or just drop by and get a first taste of motorcycling.
Exactly.
Very cool. This really breaks down the traditional barriers for a beginner, even if they are a rider’s friend or relative. You don’t have to lend them your bike or force an ill-fitting helmet on them and send them off on their own. They are guided!
That’s exactly what this program is about: tackling the things that are difficult to do alone.
How have the Ride Day events been received so far?
Using round numbers from our first event, based on surveys we conduct over a year after an event, we found that about 26 percent of Ride Day participants who were riding motorcycles for the first time went on to complete full MSF courses and essentially become trained motorcycle riders, which is great.
I would say that now you are in the business of nurturing new riders and training those who are already convinced they want to be riders, what do people tell you at the events about what it meant to them to ride for the first time?
The word “empowerment” is often overused, but if we had one of those markers on the door of a 7-Eleven that indicates how tall you are when you walk through the door at a RIDE Day event, I promise you most attendees would be three inches taller after that first experience.
How can people find out more, bring their friends and family to a RIDE Day or find out more about MSF?
MSF-USA.org is the website with all state-specific information and course details, including a unique page and calendar for RIDE Day. Right now we are ramping up our 90 day RIDE Day this fall which will run from September through November to keep new riders and ranges/trainers interested.CN
Click here to view the Interview with Corey Eastman in the Cycling news Digital edition of the magazine.
