First-person account of the MSF course

Patrick Beeson lives in Tennessee. He took an MSF Basic Rider Course and thereby earned his Tennessee motorcycle license. Here's his blog post about his experience taking the course:

MSF Basic Rider Course teaches safety, skills

The MSF Basic Rider Course is definitely immersion based. And I think this is a good thing because you can talk about how to ride as much as you want, but it's very different when you are sitting on the bike.

I took this course myself in 2003, in Florida, and I always recommend it to new riders. It trains you in really valuable skill areas that could save your life.

I'm always amazed when people treat getting a new scooter like they are simply getting a bicycle and can hop on and ride. Even a 50cc scooter goes faster than a bicycle. And you're in the middle of traffic on a scooter -- not clinging to the shoulder on the side. People in cars tend not to see you. You need to be hyper-alert when you are on two wheels.

The MSF course gives you a good introduction to riding defensively, to protect yourself.

Scooter how-to and safety tips

"Scooter School" is a program of the Motorcycle Safety Foundation. You can download a useful booklet from their Web site (free):


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U.S. Motorcycle Sales and Accidents, 1996-2005

Here is some information to consider when you want to discuss motorcycle safety:


Click to see a larger version of the chart.

Sources: Motorcycle Industry Council, U.S. New Unit Motorcycle Sales; U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Traffic Safety Facts 2006 Data -- Motorcycles (PDF file).

Motorcycle deaths in U.S.

Here's a large report with lots of statistics from Gannett News Service:

• In 1996, 5.6 motorcyclists were killed for every 10,000 registered motorcycles on the road. By 2006, the rate had risen to 7.3.
• About 42 percent of motorcycle riders killed in accidents between 2002 and 2006 were not wearing helmets.
• In raw numbers, the annual death toll in motorcycle crashes rose from 2,116 in 1997 to 4,810 of 2006.

It really burns me up that this discussion focuses almost exclusively on helmets -- wearing them vs. not wearing them -- and NOT on the increasing popularity of motorcycle riding, with the associated increase in new riders (of all ages).

Someone who has been riding for less than six months is more likely to be involved in an accident than someone who has been riding (regularly) for six years. But those kinds of numbers are rarely even published, let alone discussed.

Let's look at that list again:

• Tell us HOW MANY NEW MOTORCYCLES were sold in 1996 vs. 2006, and the percent change: In 1996, 5.6 motorcyclists were killed for every 10,000 registered motorcycles on the road. By 2006, the rate had risen to 7.3.
• Why not talk about how 58 percent of motorcycle riders killed in accidents between 2002 and 2006 WERE wearing helmets? Their helmets did not save them. About 42 percent of motorcycle riders killed in accidents between 2002 and 2006 were not wearing helmets.
• Again, you need to talk about the INCREASED NUMBER OF RIDERS: In raw numbers, the annual death toll in motorcycle crashes rose from 2,116 in 1997 to 4,810 of 2006.

Safety is hugely important on motorcycles and scooters, but a helmet doesn't make you SAFER (I always wear a helmet, by the way) -- you are safer if you ride safely. You are safer if you ride on a road with no other vehicles on it. You're safer if you don't take corners too fast.

Heck, you're safer if you ride with your eyes open, not closed!

Some handy resources and references

Get the scoop on all U.S. states' motorcycle laws, from the American Motorcyclist Association.

Check the Motorcycle Safety Foundation for useful safety tips and to find a rider course near you.

Podcast for Scooterists

The SCTRCST (Scootercast) is a regular podcast with an accompanying blog that's quite interesting. You can play any episode of the podcast right from the blog page, without waiting for a download. I like that a lot because you don't have to commit to a subscription or anything.

I listened to Podcast No. 40. It is about 20 minutes long and the production quality is quite good. It starts off slow, in my opinion, but then our host, "DaveM," plays a fun song and then gets into a discussion about having an accident on a scooter or a motorcycle.

Podcast No. 39 is about online scooter groups and forums.

If you're not used to trying out podcasts, here's what I suggest: Open the podcast page in a new browser window and start it playing. Then go back to your regular Web browsing. It's exactly like listening to the radio -- without the commercials.

DaveM is a apparently a very experienced motorcyclist as well as a scooterist. I found both his blog and the podcast very well-done and valuable!

Another Nice Blog About Scooter Life

I often visit the scooter blog Girlbike.com -- naturally it has a lot of items that interest a female rider, but plenty of the information applies to ANY rider. Guys -- don't be put off by the pink bits! Check out these posts:

• Best 49 cents I’ve spent all year: Read about a 10-day scooter trip in Vietnam.


• Winterizing and winter riding: Waterproof covers, battery chargers, and more cold-weather tips.


• Fall riding hazards: What to watch for: Still relevant for those of us who live in the southern states -- some wet leaves on the road can really ruin your day!


• Book review: The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Motor Scooters. Blogger Crystal Waters says it would make a nice gift for a friend who doesn't ride yet!

All that aside, there are some serious "girl" topics in the blog -- like the periodic links to cool pink helmets!

A flash, then biker is dead

A motorcyclist was struck by lightning and killed while riding in rush hour traffic between Denver and Boulder, police said.

Gary Missi, 46, of Longmont was traveling west on U.S. 36 in Westminster about 5:15 p.m. Wednesday when lightning struck, Westminster police spokesman Tim Read said. Witnesses said they saw a bright flash that sent the yellow sport-bike veering into a concrete median.

Authorities were uncertain whether the bolt or the resulting crash killed Missi, but witnesses said it appeared he took a direct hit. Missi was pronounced dead at the scene.

"According to witnesses, the motorcyclist was struck by lightning while traveling at highway speeds," Read said. "It struck directly, but we're not sure yet if the lightning hit him or the bike."

The lightning left a crater in the asphalt about 12 inches by 8 inches wide and 6 inches deep, Read said.

A coroner's investigation was under way to determine whether the lightning bolt, the collision or something else caused his death, Read said.

It was the second fatal lightning strike this month in the area and came in the middle of the National Weather Service's Lightning Awareness Week, which runs until Saturday.

On June 11, Javier Cortez- Perez, 39, was electrocuted by lightning as he walked through the parking lot of the Mile Hi Flea Market in Henderson.

Authorities said a thunderstorm blew through Westminster about the time of Wednesday's strike.

After being struck, Missi crashed into a median and slid about 150 yards before coming to a stop, Read said.

"According to one witness, who was traveling right behind him, she said there was a flash of light in front of her and she saw him lose control at the same time that debris started hitting her windshield," Read said.

Lightning striking a moving vehicle is rare, an expert said. There have been several cases in recent years of motorcyclists and motorists being struck.

Typically, a person traveling in an automobile is more likely to survive a strike, said Gregory Stewart, a consultant with the Lightning Data Center, a research forum at St. Anthony's Central Hospital.

"You can't outrace lightning," Stewart said. "During a storm, you are so vulnerable on a motorcycle and have absolutely nothing to protect you."

From the St. Petersburg (Fla.) Times, June 23, 2006

Motorcyclist collides with moose

WARREN, Maine (July 3, 2006): A Tenants Harbor man was ejected from his motorcycle Friday night after colliding with a moose on Beechwood Street near the Thomaston and Warren line.

Randy Hilt, 41, of Tenants Harbor was driving his 2006 Harley Davidson motorcycle shortly before 9:30 p.m. Friday night when a moose walked into the road, according to a Knox County Sheriff's Office report. Hilt was traveling south on Beechwood Street.

According to the sheriff's office report, Hilt attempted to stop his motorcycle, but struck the moose.

The collision ejected Hilt from his motorcycle and he skidded across the road. Hilt was wearing a helmet and suffered cuts, bruises and internal injuries.

Hilt was taken to Penobscot Bay Medical Center, where he was treated and released, according to Chris Burke, PBMC director of marketing and communications.

According to the sheriff's office report, the moose left the scene. Damage to the Harley Davidson was estimated to be $1,500.

From Village Soup, July 3, 2006

Increase in Fatalities

For motorcycles, that is. Trouble is, that does include scooters too, without breaking out numbers for scooter deaths.

There's extra interest in Florida, and here's why:



The reason for concern looks pretty clear on the chart. Some people say the increase in deaths is all because this state repealed its helmet law in 2000. But then again, sales of motorcycles and scooters have increased a lot since 2000, thanks in part to TV shows like American Chopper and Biker Build-off, which seemingly make everyone want to go out and hop on an impractical and expensive custom chopper.

Sales of new motorcycles in the U.S. in 2000: 710,000. Sales in 2004 (est.): More than 1 million. If you add up the yearly numbers, you'll see that 4.547 million new bikes hit the road in five years.

And then there is the other thing the chart makes clear: There are fewer deaths among bikers who have the motorcycle certification on their driver's license.

Look at it. 71 percent vs. 21 percent in Florida. 37 percent vs. 13 percent nationally. What difference does that motorcycle certification (MC) make? The rider had to pass a test. The rider had to prove that he or she knew how to control the bike.

Uh huh.

So now Florida is talking about making a training course manadatory for all motorcyclists. I'm not sure how they intend to enforce that, though -- obviously, tons of people are riding in Florida without the MC, and that is required by law in this state.

Thinking About Buying One?

Some wise words of advice for anyone thinking about buying a scooter (or a motorcycle, for that matter), from Bryan and Vina in Chicago, U.S.A. I was hooked when I read the first tip:

"A scooter is a motorcycle."

Although riding a little 50cc scooter will not win you any street cred with actual bikers astride 1500cc V-Twins, you will understand the meaning of the tip the first time you find yourself sandwiched between an SUV and a big delivery truck on a city street posted at 35 m.p.h. where everyone usually does 50 m.p.h. (minimum).

You're not permitted (by law) to take refuge in the bicycle lane. Uh-uh. You are a motor vehicle and you are supposed to keep up with the big fellows on four wheels.