There’s always something new that riders can learn to stay safer on the road
Secretary of State Ruth Johnson has some great advice for motorcyclists with a few miles on their bikes ‒ take a refresher course to sharpen their riding skills.
Advance Rider Courses (ARC) will be offered at select locations around the state throughout the summer months. The fee is $50. Participants must have a motorcycle endorsement on their driver’s license and provide their own motorcycle and proof of insurance. The motorcycle must be properly titled and registered, display a valid license plate and pass a safety inspection.
“I have talked to many seasoned riders who were surprised and pleased by how much they learned in the advanced course,” said Johnson, who has been riding a motorcycle since she was a young teenager. “Motorcycling requires good judgment, the ability to manage risk, make quick decisions and react appropriately in an ever-changing riding environment. Everyone I’ve met who has taken an ARC has come away with something valuable from the class.”
The ARC teaches riders how to evaluate their riding skills and helps with personal risk assessment. The one-day course includes a classroom session to improve perception and hazard awareness, and a range segment to practice more advanced crash-avoidance skills as well as improving braking and cornering techniques. Speed and loss of control, especially in curves, is one of the leading causes of motorcycle crashes.
Each ARC is limited to 12 participants and tends to fill up quickly. Anyone interested in signing up for an ARC class should contact the program coordinator for more information. A schedule of ARC classes offered this summer may be found at the following link.
For more information about the ARC and basic rider classes, a list of training classes, how to get a motorcycle endorsement or becoming a motorcycle rider training instructor, visit the Secretary of State website at www.michigan.gov/motorcycling.
|