State of the Association

State of the Association, August 2007

I would say that this has been a very exciting year for the SMSA.We’ve done some remarkable things on many fronts.

Your Executive Committee is a very tireless group of individuals how roll up their sleeves and handle many matters.Even some voting members have helped with some projects.

Typically, the EC meets three times a year, for two or three days at a time.We’ve discovered that is not sufficient time to handle the business of the association.This year, we began conference calls once a month.It seems to have helped get business done in a timelier manner.Each call lasts about one hour and the Business Manager keeps brief minutes.

We continue to participate with NHTSA during their quarterly motorcycle network meeting.At the last meeting, NHTSA announced that they are going to begin developing curriculum standards to comply with the 2010 grant monies.

We are invited to participate in the development of the standards.There has been one meeting already and we wait the announcement of the next meeting.I suspect that we will be asking some of you to help develop these standards.

We belong to FHWA’s Motorcycle Advisory Council, which is discussing roadway design, maintenance, and other related issues.The Council has highway engineers participating.It’s been a real eye opener for both the motorcyclists and the engineers alike.For instance, I’ve always believed that cable barriers were bad for motorcyclists.It was explained to us riders that the poles that support cable barriers are placed much farther apart than steel barriers.The rider has a better chance of sliding between the poles than they have with steel barriers.

We are moving forward with our process of contracting with a Project Director.We already have begun the interview process and will conduct interviews this weekend while we are here.We hope to have the person selected within the next couple of months.

Our current grant allowed us to prepare five Professional Development Workshops.One PDW is for state administrators and four are for rider coaches and instructors.These PDWs will be presented here.We met with the Transportation Safety Institute in Oklahoma City and developed the PDWs.They were field tested this April and should be ready for you this weekend.I must acknowledge the people that made this happen.They are Carol Thurn, Ron Thompson, Art Hill, Dave Surgeonor, Sean Maher, Jim Heideman, Michael Jordan and Alyson Coyle.

We are still participating with AAMVA to revise two documents.The Motorcycle Operator Licensing System and the Integrating Motorcycle Rider Education and Licensing.We’ve moving to combine these publications into one document, making it easier for licensing officials to use them.

Lastly, I’m very proud to announce that the state of Rhode Island has applied for membership.It is the next item on the agenda.If you all vote to accept Rhode Island, this will bring our membership to 41.

Thank you.

Ken Kiphart

SMSA Chair