Samantha Robinson
Daily Egyptian
When students approach the garage that houses motorcycles at the Safety Center on their day of class, they only think about one thing: learning how to ride.
They imagine wind blowing through their hair, rain soaking their clothes or even bugs flying into their face.
As they stand putting on their safety gear, to the left of them is a company truck that reads: "Good motorcyclists aren't born ... they're trained."
No matter why they are in the class, they are constantly reminded that safety is their first priority.
The free Motorcycle Riders Program was created in the 1960s during the time that traffic safety was a big concern.
Since motorcycles are a popular form of transportation, the Illinois Department of Transportation decided to create a program to educate potential riders about safety rules, dangers and the basics needed to take the road test to obtain a license.
The program has a long history at SIU since the University was one of the first to offer instruction to all Illinois residents. It was introduced in 1968 at SIUC, where it has been a success since conception.
Michelle Castoldi of Herrin has been interested in bikes for a long time and finally decided to take the course to get her license.
"I want to ride with the big boys," Castoldi said.
She said that a bunch of her friends have bikes and she does not want to ride on the back. Once finished with the class she plans on buying a Shadow, a dual-purpose bike.
Creation of the two-wheeler
About 117 years ago, the first motorcycle was built based on the concept of a gasoline-fueled internal-combustion engine. From that simple idea grew numerous styles and models.
Of the different models there are two basic engine types: two-stroke and four-stoke.
The two-stroke engine bike is normally restricted to off-road use due to emission regulations. The four-stroke engine is used in street-motorcycles and provide for better power.
With the different types of motorcycles and their growing popularity, the state decided that people needed proper training.
The Illinois Department of Transportation Division of Traffic Safety wanted a free program that people could attend and receive information that could help reduce the number of injuries and fatalities of motorcycle riders.
All money used for the program comes from motorcycle riders in the state. When applying for a license and tags, the motorist must pay a fee from which a portion is taken out to fund the safety programs.
More than 90 percent of riders involved in accidents were self-taught or learned from family or friends.
Because of this, the Division of Traffic Safety provided grant money for SIUC to host the pilot program. Over the years, the program grew and out of four training sites, SIUC covers the largest area of Illinois.
SIUC revs up for the road
SIUC is the host university in a region that covers 58 counties. At the beginning of the program, the state chose SIUC to create and publish a curriculum for nationwide use.
The Safety Center's Assistant coordinator, Skip Starkey, has been in his current position since 1985 but began working in the program during his days as a student until he graduated in 1979.
Now, with his current position, he is able to help train people and give them the proper information and techniques to avoid serious injury, which was the basis for the program creation in the beginning.
Participants in the program learn the basics of straight-line riding, turning, stopping, swerving and mental skill development for the ability to deal with special situations.
"We hope to get people that start off knowing nothing," Starkey said. "We then teach them basic riding skills; shifting gears, swerving, advanced maneuvers and action avoidance."
Starkey said aside from basic training, it is important for people to learn how to use properly use safety equipment and clothing.
Even though the course emphasizes safety, once the student leaves the program, it is up to them whether they want to wear protection.
"Wearing protective gear is really up to the person, it all depends on how much risk they want to accept," Starkey said.
Not only for Hell's Angels
Over the last year, Brian Hood from Decatur has wanted to learn about those risks.
He became interested in riding. He is now taking the course for fun and plans to only ride with friends.
"Riding motorcycles is a poor man's airplane," Hood said.
Unlike airplane training, the motorcyclists enrolled in the program ride side by side.
There are usually between 24 and 36 students in each session, which includes six instructors. To participate in the program, individuals have to be at least 16 years old with a valid license.
Starkey said the average ages of students usually in the class is between 35 and 45. In the past the ages were lower, but now they are always older.
There are some people who don't want to buy a bike, they just want to learn the basics and have an understanding of what it is like to be on the road surrounded by cars and trucks.
Standing in 90-degree weather, wearing long sleeved shirts, jeans, boots and gloves, the students stand in line preparing to mount either a Honda or Suzuki bike.
Janet Cramer is a second grade teacher in Murphysboro who decided to buy a moped, but when she realized she could not get a license unless she knew how to ride a regular-sized bike, she enrolled in the course.
"I don't want to ride a big bike, I have the toy, these are just what you have to learn on," Cramer said.
The program provides all materials needed for the course, except eyewear. Motorcycles used for training are 125 cc engine and progress to 250 cc as the student's ability improves.
Cramer said her nephew took the course and passed the first time, so she is confident that she will pass and not have to take the road and written test at the department of motor vehicles.
Castoldi is confident that she is going to do well in the course and does not think anything negative will happen.
"I hope I pass and not have to take it again," Castoldi said. "This is my summer."
The class involves 20 hours of instruction broken down into 11 on-cycle and nine classroom hours.
Once the program is complete, participants can take their completion card to the secretary of state and get a change of classification on their existing license or go to the Department of Motor Vehicles and take the written and road test.
In some cases, people have been asked to take the course a second time before applying for a license because the instructors think they may need more practice.
Rare cases have seen people asked to rethink motorcycling and not return to the course.
"That has happened before in cases when the potential for injury is high and we were not comfortable with their progression," Starkey said.
Program trainer Aaron Lovelady said the course instructor takes his or her time to make sure the student understands. Even with the weekend classes, he said there is ample time to learn and understand the material.
Aaron Lovelady took the class in November, bought his bike in February and began working as a trainer in March.
"I had never been on a bike before so I was nervous, but I did it anyway," Lovelady said. "This is a good course and you learn everything you need to know from some experienced riders."
For more information, contact the Motorcycle Rider Program at 453-2877 or toll free at 1-800-642-9589 or visit the Web site at http://www.siu.edu/~cycle/
Reporter Samantha Robinson can be reached at
srobinson@dailyegyptian.com
Published on 11/17/05; 12:24:44 PM
