 The Leading Edge - Winter 2006
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In this Issue...
Welcome to the third electronic version of The Leading Edge, the SMSA's official newsletter.
This issue is packed with great resources and insight, with topics based on feedback we have received from readers.
Is there something you would like to see included in The Leading Edge? If so, send it our way: LeadingEdge@smsa.org.
We look forward to receiving your feedback!
2006-2008 Strategic Goals Announced
1) Advocate and communicate motorcycle safety and awareness through the sharing of information and continued communication with other organizations and entities.
- Expand and update website to include motorcycle awareness tools.
- Maintain key stakeholder relationships with other safety organizations.
- Participate in motorcycle roadway advisory council
- Develop and execute PDW to be delivered at national conference.
2) Develop specific content and materials to address key issues impacting state administrators and instructors through the development and execution of six Professional Development Workshops between 2006 and 2008.
- Develop and execute PDW to be delivered at national conference.
- Provide electronic documentation of PDW on website.
- Develop work plan in 2007 to address future professional development needs.
3) Provide tools, techniques and services to key stakeholders to enhance program effectiveness.
- Evolve the annual conference to meet dynamic changes in the motorcycle industry.
- Expand and update website to include motorcycle awareness and tools.
- Provide technical support to new motorcycle safety administrators and programs.
- Provide services to members as needed.
4) Be a leader with government and other organizations to address key issues in motorcycle safety through partnerships and involvement in SAFETEA-LU .
- Participate in motorcycle roadway advisory council.
- Place SAFETEA-LU information link on website.
2006 Conference Theme Revealed
Join the SMSA August 19-20, 2006 for the National Motorcycle Safety Conference being held in Austin, Texas. The theme for the 2006 conference is Expand Your Horizons – Expand what we know, change to meet needs and work toward the future. The SMSA chose the “Expand Your Horizons” theme based on feedback from the membership. Participants can "Expand their Horizons" by sharing successes and learning from other successful training concepts and philosophies. The SMSA looks forward to providing a variety of breakout sessions designed to address issues and concerns facing the motorcycle safety training industry today and in the future.
If you or any of your associates are interested in presenting a breakout during the 2006 Annual Conference, please contact the SMSA Business Manager as follows prior to February 1, 2006:
Ruth Wilson
SMSA Business Manager
Contact Information
We look forward to seeing you in Austin!
2006 Annual Conference to be Held in Austin, Texas
The 2006 Annual Conference will be held in Austin, Texas. We invite you to learn more about Austin, and hope you will decide to join us there!
Austin is a city with a heart and with a soul. Cosmopolitan, yet unpretentious. Thriving cultural scene and vibrant nightlife. High-tech, low-key. Big city, college town. Quirky and far from ordinary, it's the kind of place where you check your worries at the city limits sign, trade in suits for something a bit more casual and prepare for experiences you'll find only in Austin.
Climate
Normal average daily temperature: 65.4°F (18.9°C)
Warmest month: July
Daily mean temperature: 85.3°F (29.6°C)
Learn more about Austin by visiting their website: www.austintexas.org.
SMSA Turning Digital
By Jenne Meyer, Communications Chair
SMSA is turning digital. As you may have noticed, we now are offering several options and communications online. We are working on “getting with the times”. We now offer registration for SMSA conferences online. Going forward we will focus our efforts on promoting the online registration to save the costs of mailing the same forms.
Also note that most of our communication is online. We have taken an active approach to staying in communication with you through email . This is a key approach for us to keep in contact and share the latest and greatest information and activities.
Have you read our e-newsletter? We have converted our newsletter The Leading Edge to an e-newsletter to help us communicate on a regular basis in a format that is easy, user-friendly, and quick to implement. Please provide feedback on our e-newsletter to LeadingEdge@smsa.org .
These continuous updates and new processes will continue to help us become a more effective and efficient association. Stayed tuned…
Public Relations and PSA's
By Jenne Meyer, Communications Chair
Did you know that every radio station has a certain amount of free public service announcement (PSA) space available every month? Radio stations are required to have available a certain amount of PSA time in order to maintain their national standings. As a key provider of a public service, you can take advantage of this free radio time.
PSAs are “non-commercial” announcements prepared to provide information to the public. Non-commercial: information that benefits – its intended audience, rather than the company that created it. Most PSA’s are 30 or 60 seconds and focus on providing a public service. PSAs are used by organizations to: publicize community events, provide health and safety tips, assist in fundraising efforts, and inform and influence public opinion. A PSA message: must contain information that is beneficial to the community and should not include controversial or self-serving material.
Want to get names and news from your business in the local newspaper? It may be easier than you think. Don’t have news to report? Create some and write a press release about it:
- Apply to win an award
- Volunteer in the community
- Offer a free seminar
- Write an article promoting Motorcycle Safety Month and tips for “sharing the road”
- Promote a new course offering
Weekly newspapers in smaller communities are always looking for new content. Many papers have one or two people writing the entire paper - love to “pick-up” stories,
Offering motorcycle safety training to the public is a great option for a PSA. Asking listeners to watch out for motorcyclists during riding season is another example. Take advantage of May as Motorcycle Safety Month to promote rider education and increase awareness of motorcyclists on the road.
Looking for a sample template? Email jenne.meyer@harley-davidson.com for a copy.
Respect, Enthusiasm, & Variety (REV): Key Elements to Successful Facilitation
…get REV’ed Up and students will be REV’ed up too!
By Jenne Meyer, Communications Chair
Students are watching you. What do they see? What are their impressions of your facilitation efforts? Ask yourself the following questions:
- Are you well prepared to facilitate to the objectives of the class?
- Do you use a variety of teaching methods?
- Do you exhibit enthusiasm & respect for the material?
- Do you interpret & bring the material to life?
Hopefully, the response to all of these questions is a resounding “yes!” At the most fundamental level, we all facilitate according to the course objectives. However, we should also demonstrate personal enthusiasm & respect for the material we are teaching. Students are very perceptive. If the instructor cares about the material, the students will also care. Enthusiasm is “infectious”.
Numerous published articles have indicated that using a variety of teaching methods is a necessity, in order to hold student interest and to reach students that have various “learning styles”. An instructor can achieve variety by the creative use of lectures, activities, discussions, videos, guest lecturers, simulations, and student presentations.
Use creativity and even a sense of novelty or fun in developing a variety of approaches to learning. Endeavor to facilitate an interesting and relevant workshop, rather than a workshop that would be considered boring or redundant.
Admittedly, it is not easy to develop activities that will elicit enthusiasm at all times from all students. But at a minimum, the instructor should be able to exhibit respect & enthusiasm for the material and help students to appreciate the material with relevant examples. There are many possible sources of facilitation ideas, including books, articles, the Internet, or discussions with other Instructors/RiderCoaches at an update or area meeting. With time, and with exposure to the ideas of others, it usually becomes possible to “springboard” and develop more unique, interesting, and fun facilitation techniques that will “REV up” each Workshop. It all starts with you, the Instructor/RiderCoach. REV-up yourself first, and students will follow.
Personal Opinions By: Jenne Meyer—Communications Chair
October Status Update Survey Conducted Among State Administrators
In October 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 - NHTSA Committee
Q: SMSA will be sitting on a NHTSA Committee regarding road designs as it impacts motorcyclists. What are your ideas of road design/hazards that are specific to motorcycles?
A: Western Region – 8 states responded. Some of the responses include: hazards like edge traps, cable barriers, crack sealed roads, temporary roadside storage of signs, grooved roads. I would like to see more signs prior to road construction to prepare riders on what to expect when riding in the construction zones. Work with Federal Highway and State DOT to deal with roadway hazards. Use the “Amber Alert” signs that most communities have on their busier roadways to promote traffic safety messages such as road sharing etc. Washington has a law requiring all highway construction projects with any possible hazard to motorcycles to place a large yellow sign with the statement “Motorcycles Use Extreme Caution”.
Eastern Region – 5 states provided feedback:: guardrails and many of the supports for roadway signage also pose an equal threat. Roadway milling/grinding and repaving. Different height road surfaces (edge traps). Signage specific to motorcyclists. Paving/patching materials. Tar and chip surfaces. Pavement markings, metal joints and tar strips regarding traction and placement on curves etc. Size of glass beads and alternate materials for traction in road markings. Signs to “Watch for Motorcycles” and “Check Blind Spots” along our roadways. Many states attempt to save money are not repaving the acceleration or deceleration lanes when repaving the interstates. This is leaving an approximate 2” lip/drop-off at the edge of the emergency lane when entering or exiting the highway. One of the biggest problems I see is signage specific to motorcycles. The second item would be steel plates used for repair of road, these can be very slippery when wet.
Central Region – 7 states offered the following feedback: Guard rail gaps under guard rails – shock absorbing materials. Recently, extended edges have been put on some roadways – the problem with the extension is the “wake-up” grooves. In Missouri they are putting the cable restraints between the roadways on the interstates. Great for stopping cars but will slice a motorcyclist in half. Fill material used on roadways especially when wet. – Not enough posting about roadwork especially on secondary roadways. Use of rubberized crack filler that “catch” motorcycle tires. Warning signs for motorcycle unique hazards. Need to design “bike friendly” guard rails and other highway “furniture”.
Section – B – SAFETEA-LU
Q: SAFETEA-LU has provisions for grants to motorcycle programs. If resources were not an issue, what one thing would you do to improve or change your program?
A: Western Region – 8 states responded with the following: Create ranges & buy motorcycles. Advertising campaigns on motorist/rider awareness & impaired riding. decrease the cost to the student; increase the RiderCoach payments; have semi-annual, all expense paid, full weekend, Professional Development Workshops I would also like to implement training for Law Enforcement officer on how to detect an impaired rider and to work overtime hours to help reduce the number of alcohol riders Conduct instructor university (IPs) all year long On-line registration Develop better and more visible messages relating to motorist awareness of motorcycles.
Eastern Region – 5 states responded, with responses such as: On-line registration is the single most important improvement we could include in our program at this time. Make “In-Traffic” training a part of our regular BRC curriculum and make the license earned through our course “provisional” and require the rider to return and re-test on their own bike in a certain amount of time Need to have more motorcycles available for the programs
Central Region – 7 states responded. Some comments include: Capitol improvements – paving new ranges, building storage/maintenance/office building, motorcycles. Follow up contact with students for continuing education. Update the cycles that the sponsors are using Roughly about 1/3 of our 305 training bikes are at least 15 years old. Money for motorcycles. On-line registration and automatic data entry would free up staff to work on projects such as how to reduce fatalities, attack the alcohol and motorcycle operator for example Standard uniforms statewide for all instructors. Purchase more air time to make the public aware of motorcycle safety and rider education programs available
Section – C – General
Q: What type of break out sessions would you like to see at the 2006 SMSA Conference in Austin TX?
A: Western Region – 6 states responded. Some of the comments included: breakout sessions: motorcycle handling dynamics; accelerated learning/adult learning principles; what’s new at the MSF; what’s new at NHTSA; international training program summaries I would like to see what other states are doing to combat the alcohol riders and what is being done to reduce injuries and fatalities. I also would like to see a First Aid and CPR class set up for coaches to get certified or to get re-certified. What is happening in those states who choose not to use MSF services?
Eastern Region – 4 states replied with: have an Accelerated Learning session by Wayne Steele. BRC or ERC demo games, competition, relay teams It would be informative to include breakout sessions on curriculum topics from the states not using the MSF curricula. Rider coach quality assurance and rider coach mentoring programs!
Central Region – 6 states offered the following: I would like to hear what SMSA’s position is on MSF – Running state programs, Franchising safety courses, offering safety courses to M/C dealers in states that currently offer safety courses. What does it take to develop a curriculum? Insurance solutions for instructor M/C’s used in courses Breakout sessions that provide valuable information to take back to your home state and put into practice. Ex: The trauma breakout sessions in North Dakota was very informational and useful. The grant information was useful. No ideas at this time Human behavior training. Too many instructors do not have the background or training to deal with the many personalities that take our classes. Larry Grotsky and his one on one dynamic training A mix of workshops for the administrator, RCT, RC and site administrator.
Q: Would you consider presenting information at the Conference?
A: Western Region – 3 states responded. Two respondents said that they would either not be attending or could not commit to doing a presentation. The third respondent said they would like to be part of a panel discussion involving successes in incorporating alternative types of training such as Rider’s Edge, trike/sidecar, track day schools, scooter schools, etc.
Eastern Region – 1 state responded. This respondent said that they don’t think they will be able to attend the conference.
Central Region – 1 state said they would present if they felt they had something to offer at that time.
Q: Other concerns:
A: Western Region – 8 states responded that there were no other concerns.
Eastern Region – 5 states responded, with a sampling: Lets find a different sponsor for our meetings or stop having them. When the manufacturers are the major sponsors then they tend to think they own us. You know what’s right at this point in time and what needs to be done for the betterment of us all. Take the lead, unite us all and use it to your advantage as the New SMSA I think the SMSA should consider taking a position on: 1) Motorcycle noise – “Loud Pipes Risk Rites” (AMA slogan). Even ABATE of PA admits this is a problem. 2) Lowering the BAC for a motorcyclist to .04.
Central Region – 7 states responded that there were no other concerns.
New Two-Year Supporting Membership Option Offered
SMSA now offers a two-year supporting membership plan. The two-year membership plan offers a $5.00 discount per year. i.e., $60.00 for two-year supporting membership.
Contact us for more information.
Jenne Meyer joins Enthusiast Services Business Development Team
 By Mike Kennedy, Director Business Development, Enthusiast Services, Harley-Davidson
Editor's Note: Jenne Meyer is Communications Chair for the SMSA.
I am pleased to announce the addition of Jenne Meyer to the Enthusiast Services Business Development Team. In the new role of Experience and Product Development Manager, she will have responsibility for developing and establishing the overall customer experience vision for Enthusiast Services initiatives, including experience design and product management. Through insight into experience design and customer behavior, Jenne will provide direction and guidance for the development of service offerings as well as be involved in strategy development for building community.
This new role is focused on aligning our resources to deliver the best possible customer experience for our customers and ultimately a significant competitive advantage.
Jenne joined Harley-Davidson in 1999 to work as part of the team developing Rider’s Edge with responsibility for marketing, communication, and research. In 2000, she was named Manager, Rider’s Edge Market Development and continued to focus on the expansion and development of the Rider’s Edge program. In 2004, Jenne became the Manger of Visitor Experiences within the Museum team, managing the visitor experience and acting as the visitor advocate for the Harley-Davidson Museum and Factory Tours. Jenne has a MBA from Cardinal Stritch University and is currently a Doctoral Student at Capella University in consumer psychology.
Reporting to Jenne in this new role will be Sarah Newbury and Rebecca Foerst, Product Managers within the Enthusiast Services Business Development team. Jenne will report to me in her new role. In addition, she will continue to support the Museum project as an advocate for fulfilling the customer experience vision.
Please join me in wishing Jenne success in her expanded new role.
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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