JUNE 4, 2009

Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land today announced legislation to promote motorcycle safety and improve Michigan's Motorcycle Safety Program for the thousands of riders who seek a motorcycle license endorsement each year.

"The improvements we propose strengthen the program by setting rigorous, consistent standards for instructors," Land said. "This ensures people seeking a license endorsement have a safe, comprehensive training experience. I thank the representatives and senators who are sponsoring these bills and look forward to working with the Legislature to see them written into law."

The bipartisan legislation backed by Land would create uniform criteria for motorcycle safety courses, require criminal background checks for instructors, and streamline the testing process by eliminating a second written test if a rider successfully completes the safety course. The legislation also would require that instruction providers be bonded and have liability insurance, among other changes.

The legislative package is sponsored by Reps. Rick Jones, R-Grand Ledge, and Richard LeBlanc, D-Westland, and Sens. Roger Kahn, R-Saginaw Township, and Mickey Switalski, D-Roseville.

The proposals come from the recommendations of Land's Motorcycle Safety Advisory Committee, which she convened to suggest ways to improve motorcycle safety and the administration of the training program. The legislation parallels the successful changes proposed by Land in 2006 that improved the state's driver education programs.

In 2009, about 30,000 riders are expected to attend motorcycle training or go through a third-party skills test. The training course and skills test allow riders to obtain their motorcycle license endorsement, which is required to operate a motorcycle legally in Michigan. The training courses are offered at more than 50 locations across the state.

Michigan has about 532,000 licensed motorcyclists, an increase from 517,000 in 2008.

For more information about Land's proposals or how to enroll in a motorcycle safety course, visit www.Michigan.gov/sos.