 The Leading Edge - Fall 2005
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In this Issue...
Welcome to the second electronic version of The Leading Edge, the SMSA's official newsletter.
Your feedback is welcome, and we ask that you email us if you have any suggestions for improvement or changes to your subscription: LeadingEdge@smsa.org. We also accept your article ideas for consideration (due to space and time limitations, we cannot state when the article will be published, however).
In this issue, we focus on a review of the 2005 Annual Conference, which was held in Bismarck North Dakota. We also share a few letters we've received, the July Status Update Survey results, and welcome our new members.
Based on the feedback received following the first electronic issue, the Executive Committee has decided to publish The Leading Edge on a quarterly basis: once each in January, April, July, and October.
We hope you will enjoy this issue, and look forward to receiving your feedback!
SMSA Annual Conference in Bismarck a Great Success
Carol Thurn, 2005 Conference Chair
The nation's leading motorcycle safety representatives from across the country gathered in Bismarck, North Dakota for the National Association of State Motorcycle Safety Administrator's (SMSA) Annual National Conference that was held on August 20 - 21, 2005. The conference brought together state motorcycle safety education professionals with national and local motorcycle safety education experts to discuss “hot” topics in the field of motorcycle safety and education. The conference focused on facing challenges, issues and concerns in administering and delivering rider education programs in our community. There were over 230 attendees at the conference along with 11 vendors displaying their wares. There were 15 different workshops that the attendees could take in while at the conference. There was also a Professional Development Workshop on Grant writing. This year the workshops were divided between administrators and rider coaches. This seemed to have worked out very well as the attendees knew prior to the session which workshop they wanted to attend.
While in Bismarck the attendees were able to explore the many historical sites that Bismarck has to offer. One of the sites that we visited was the Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park. This was once an important infantry and cavalry post. We had a guided tour of General Custer's home with many original artifacts. We also were able to visit the On-A-Slant Indian Village reconstructed earth lodges and museum. Native American dancers and drummers entertained us while we were at the Indian Village. We were also able to take part in the Friendship dance. Many of the SMSA attendees were able to experience the taste of buffalo as buffalo roast and chicken breast was served at the evening meal in the commissary at the park.
North Dakota's weather was superb during the conference and the landscape was breathtaking. This was a conference to remember and hopefully you will return to the great state of North Dakota.
 Hope to see everyone in Austin, Texas next year!
New Corporate and Professional Members Welcomed
Ron Thompson, Government and Industry Affairs Committee Chair
SMSA is fortunate to have two new members since the Bismarck Conference. Please meet and welcome the following:
National Premium, Inc
 National Premium, Inc is a new Corporate Member.
National Premium is headquartered in Pewaukee, Wisconsin with branch offices in Florida, Illinois and Minnesota. They are positioned within the top .5% of promotional products/marketing companies in the nation. Out of over 16,000 promotional product distributors, they rank among the top 70 in the United States. National Premium is particularly exceptional at personifying service and creativity. With a Vice President of Sales who once delivered a package to a client in a bike messenger costume, National Premium is ready, willing, and able to be unique. They are working every day to preserve and promote the integrity of their clients’ logos and corporate identities.
National premium provides the SMSA On-Line Store and was a vendor at the 2005 SMSA conference in Bismarck.
Contacts are Scott Schmidt and Lori Morell.
www.nationalpremium.com
Motorcycle Association of New York State, Inc. (MANYS)
 MANYS is a new Professional Member.
The Motorcycle Association of New York State, Inc. (MANYS) has undergone many stages of evolution from a coalition of interested Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) instructors, individuals and groups in 1992 to its current form as a 501c3, not-for-profit, tax-exempt, corporation approved by the New York State Board of Education. MANYS officially incorporated in 1994. In 1994 MANYS was awarded a three-year, Federal National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) 402 Grant to setup the infrastructure for a statewide motorcycle rider education and training program. MANYS is a member of, and represents New York State in the National Association of State Motorcycle Safety Administrators (SMSA). MANYS is also represented on DMV’s motorcycle advisory committee.
Their CORPORATE MISSION is to reduce motorcycle and motorcycle related crashes, fatalities and injuries on the streets and highways of New York State through training, education and awareness
The President and CEO is Michael Melis.
www.manys.org
Chairperson's Award Given to Jenne Meyer
 Jenne Meyer, Manager of Visitor Experiences at Harley-Davidson Motor Company, received the SMSA Chairperson's Award from Chairman Ken Kiphart at the 2005 Annual Conference.
Jenne joined Harley-Davidson Motor Company in 1999 to work on a team charged with developing Rider's Edge. She is responsible for the marketing, communication, and research needs of the organization.
Jenne also volunteers as Communication Chair, helping the SMSA develop a new mission statement, strategic objectives, media guidelines for state administrators, quarterly state questionnaires, and is currently working on a strategic business plan. In addition, she regularly works on a number of behind-the scenes projects for the association.
Her nominator included the following comments: “Ms. Meyer has taken this organization to a higher level of professionalism. Jenne Meyer is an asset to the SMSA and she is deserving of this award.”
Congratulations from all of us at SMSA!
Motorcycle Safety Focus of Conference
Gordon Weixel, Bismarck Tribune
Originally published in Bismarck Tribune; reprinted with permission.
Motorcycle safety is the focus of a conference being held in Bismarck this weekend.
The National Association of State Motorcycle Safety Administrators is gathering at the Ramkota Hotel going over the latest trends and technology.
Forty-seven states have programs in place providing motorcycle instruction, according to SMSA chairman Ken Kiphart. This year's conference has attracted over 230 program administrators and riding instructors from at least 40 states.
“Every state has its own way of doing it (providing instruction),” Kiphart said. “Some run their own program, others contract out to private organizations, and there are those that are a combination. But when it's all said and done, we're training people to ride.”
North Dakota contracts with ABATE of North Dakota to run its motorcycle safety program. The state's Department of Transportation's Carol Thurn coordinates the state's effort with ABATE. This year there will be over 1,300 participants in the rider safety courses.
ABATE's program has seen a surge of interest since the state has provided a license waiver to program participants. Anyone who successfully completes the ABATE program and passes the written permit test qualifies for a license without any further testing.
ABATE has 28 instructors it sends out around the state to provide the courses, according to marketing director Janet Frost, and all this year's classes have been full.
Motorcycle riding is enjoying a wave of popularity and numbers of riders are at all-time highs.
One reason is that the babyboomers have raised their families and are now finding the time and money to resume and activity they enjoyed when they were younger.
“We have a lot of returning riders. They rode bikes when they were young, but gave them up when they got married and started raising their families,” Kiphart says. “Now the kids are out of the house and they have a few more resources at their disposal than before they were married. We're finding a lot of new riders aren't kids, but people who are about age 45, who are coming back to something they used to do.”
Recent escalation of gas pump prices isn't hurting the motorcycle industry either.
“Even the big bikes get pretty good mileage when compared to a car,” Kiphart says. “But what we're going to start seeing, I think, are manufacturers coming out with a bunch of smaller bikes that can get 70 to 80 miles to the gallon.”
Breakout sessions at the conference, which wraps at 5 p.m. today, focus on such things at grant applications, helmet use, motorcycle maintenance, motorcycle accident trauma, alcohol awareness, customer relations and program marketing.
Thurn says she has worked the better part of the year putting together the conference. Last year it was held in Charlotte, North Carolina and next year it's scheduled for Austin, Texas.
Extracurricular activities include a trip to Fort Abraham Lincoln state park, where a dinner featuring buffalo and performance by Native American singers and dancers is planned.
Vendor displays are also a part of the conventions and include insurance companies, the Motorcycle Safety Foundation, Motorcycle Training Institute and Accident Scene Management.
Kiphart is retired deputy police chief from Las Vegas, Nevada and ran one of the oldest continuously operating training sites which began in 1979. Nevada started its instruction program in 1993 which is when Kiphart became involved with SMSA, which has been around since 1984.
NDDOT's Marsha Lembke addressed Saturday's session noting that motorcycle accident numbers show 50 percent are alcohol related, 20 percent have invalid licenses, most have not participated in a safety program and 50 percent involve collisions with other motor vehicles.
“We've had six motorcycle related deaths this year, which is very high for North Dakota,” Lembke noted. “We need to have safety training, perhaps more so for the older returning riders than the young riders.”
(Contact staff writer Gordon Weixel at 701 250-8255 or gordon.weixel@bismarcktribune.com)
July Status Update Survey Conducted Among State Administrators
In July 2005, State Administrators were given the opportunity to respond to a status update survey from the SMSA. Following is a summary of responses received:
Section – A - Survey
Q: Have you completed the on-line SMSA Annual Survey?
A: Western Region – 7 states responded. 6 yes and 1 no.
Eastern Region – 6 states responded. 4 yes and 2 no.
Central Region – 6 states responded, all yes.
Q: If no, why not?
A: Western Region – 1 state responded: Too busy
Eastern Region – 2 states responded. One state reported administrative concerns and one state reported technical problems (problem resolved).
Central Region – not applicable.
Q: Do you have any recommendations for making the Annual Survey easier to complete?
A: Western Region – 6 states responded. Comments included: the box for the cost for the course would not let you put a range of fees; should save previous year's information and allow for updates only (developer's note: previous year's data is saved and pre-populated into current year, but users must remember to log in using the same account they previously used).
Eastern Region – 6 states responded. One state commented that the survey could be shorter, and include instructions for completing it.
Central Region – 5 states responded. Comments included: we need to change questions from time to time; I don't recall any sticky points in completing it.
Section – B – Newsletter
Q: Have you read the first issue of the electronic version of The Leading Edge?
A: Western Region – 7 states responded. 5 yes and 2 no.
Eastern Region – 6 states responded. 3 yes and 3 no.
Central Region – 6 states responded. 5 yes and 1 no.
Q: If no, why not?
A: Western Region – 7 states responded. One state commented that sign-in is an added step and therefore avoided logging in to read the full version.
Eastern Region – 6 states responded. Two states commented that they did not know it was available.
Central Region – 6 states responded. Comments included: I haven't found time so far with the additional areas of responsibility.
Q: Please provide any suggestions you may have concerning the content, appearance, etc., of the e-newsletter.
A: Western Region – 4 states responded. Comments included: I thought it was well presented but very lengthy; though horribly more costly, paper media is better for me.
Eastern Region – 3 states responded. Comments included: great first edition; I like the new look and the content.
Central Region – 5 states responded. Comments included: looks good to us; I had expected when printed out it would look more like the old printed format. Otherwise it looks great and contains good information.
Section – C – General
Q: Please briefly describe any topic or issue you want the SMSA Executive Committee to be aware of or address:
A: Western Region – 6 states responded. Some of the responses included: they need to have more responses from our members to help guide the EC in the direction the membership wants the SMSA to go; What are states doing to stem the tide of riding fatals?; I know that the SMSA cannot and will not recommend that states adopt one curriculum over another but the more states that adopt and/or develop other than the MSF curricula, the further we are away from reciprocity.
Eastern Region – 2 states responded. One response was: Where are we at regarding an Executive Director and what steps are we taking to accomplish the hiring of one?
Central Region – 4 states responded. Some of the responses included: you have already addressed the training bike issue and uniformity of MSF meetings with state administrators. I am concerned that each will be different with the early participants missing out on some materials issues discussed later.
Your Letters & Feedback
 Member Expresses Gratitude for Annual Conference
"So Many Great Topics, So Little Time". For the first time in many years I had returned from the conference wishing I was able to participate in more breakouts.
I want to express my appreciation to you and the SMSA Executive Committee for an outstanding conference agenda. It was evident that the executive committee went to great lengths to ensure a comprehensive list of quality topics. Please forward my gratitude to all who participated in the planning process.
The SMSA logo is shinning bright!
Sincerely,
Ray Gaulin
Connecticut Rider Education Program
Rider Thanks SMSA for Assistance
I contacted you the first of the year in reference to brochures, posters, documents, or any other material that you may have concerning Motorcycle Awareness. I received a lot of material and would like to Personally Thank You for all of the help. You gave me some good advice and guidance. As I stated before it was used in conjunction with a Benefit for a Brother that was hit by a van. He wanted to raise Motorcycle Awareness, particularly as it pertained to Vehicles being aware of Motorcycles.
The Benefit was a huge success. We raised $12,000.00 all together for him. It's not really a lot, but for the size of our community it was great. Once again thanks for all of your help, and if ever I can do anything for you please just let me know.
Thanks a Million!
Tim Parker
Member Appreciates Electronic Leading Edge
Nicely done, well written and well organized. Thanks. It'd be great if we got something similarly packaged for state administrators from the MSF monthly or bi-monthly.
Bill Shaffer
Minnesota State Program Administrator
Your Regional Representatives
Eastern Region
Mr. Chad Burns
(Term expires 8/2007)
Georgia Motorcycle Safety Program
5036 Highway 85
Forest Park, Georgia 30297-2405
Phone: 404-669-2950
Fax: 404-669-2986
Email: Cburns@dmvs.ga.gov
www.gadmvs.com
Mr. Michael Melis
(Term expires 8/2006)
697 Amsterdam Avenue
New York, New York 10025-6933
Phone: 212-579-5543
Fax: 212-579-7401
Email: mmelis@manys.org
Central Region
Mr. Robert Secrest
(Term expires 8/2007)
Motorcycle Ohio
P.O. Box 182081
Columbus, OH 43218-2081
Phone: 614-466-4041
or 1-800-83-RIDER (800-837-4337)
Fax: 614-728-8330
E-mail: bsecrest@dps.state.oh.us
www.state.oh.us/odps/mo
Mr. Ronald Thompson
(Term expires 8/2006)
Wisconsin Motorcycle Safety Program
4802 Sheboygan Ave., Room 551
Madison, Wisconsin 53707-7936
Phone: 608-266-7855
Fax: 608-267-0441
Email: ron.thompson@dot.state.wi.us
Western Region
Ms. Carol Thurn
(Term expires 8/2006)
North Dakota Department of Transportation
Office of Traffic Safety
608 E. Boulevard Ave.
Bismarck, North Dakota 58505
Phone: 701-328-4354
Fax: 701-328-2435
Email: cthurn@state.nd.us
Ms. Michele Calvert
(Term expires 8/2007)
Montana Motorcycle Rider Safety
MSU-Northern
P.O. Box 7751
Havre, Montana 59501
Phone: 406-265-3565
1-800-922- BIKE
1-800-662-6132 ext. 3565
Fax: 406-265-3570
Email: mcalvert@msun.edu
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