 The Leading Edge - Spring/Summer 2008
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In this Issue...
Welcome to the Spring/Summer 2008 issue of The Leading Edge, the SMSA's official newsletter.
We are rapidly approaching the 2008 SMSA Conference August 15-17 in Billings, Montana. There's still time to register!
Is there something you would like to see included in The Leading Edge? If so, send it our way.
We look forward to receiving your feedback!
Join us for the 2008 National Motorcycle Safety Conference in Billings, Montana!
Come join us under the Big Sky… Montana is the host state for the 2008 National Association of State Motorcycle Safety Administrators Annual Conference. The conference will be held in Billings, Montana, August 15-17 and is hosted by SMSA, Montana Motorcycle Rider Safety, and Montana State University – Northern.
Billings, the “Magic City”, offers activities for all ages. Whether you are interested in the history of Montana and the Wild West, or you want to shop (no sales tax, so spend away!) or even just relax on the edge of the Rimrocks or the Yellowstone River, Billings offers everyone in the family an opportunity to have fun under the Big Sky. Billings is the largest city in Montana but with less than 200,000 people, it offers a “not-so-big” city feel.
If you are riding (or driving) to Billings, you are in for some spectacular sites! From the western side of the state, you cross the Rocky Mountains, full of the twists and turns motorcyclists live for. From the south you will ride through historic Yellowstone Park or over Beartooth Pass, which plateaus at over 10,000 feet. If you want a more laid back ride and enjoy the wide open spaces and rolling hills then coming into Montana from the east provides you the ability to set the cruise control and enjoy the fresh Montana air. Once in Billings a ride up or down the Zimmerman Trail offers a great view of Billings. Come early or stay late and enjoy the culture, history, and scenic beauty of the Big Sky State.
The conference will start on Friday afternoon with Professional Development Workshops (PDW) presented by SMSA and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The PDW for RiderCoaches/Instructors is “Communicating Effectively” and will be presented by Herb Guenther and Beth McCormick. In this session, you will learn about the different learning styles, speaking, facilitation, and team training aspects of communicating. The PDW for Administrations is “Rising to the Challenge: How NAMS Can Help You Find New Crash Reduction Strategies” and will be presented by Jim Hedlund and Ron Thompson. This session will give state administrators guidance to identify and implement countermeasures to reduce motorcycle crashes as identified in the National Agenda for Motorcycle Safety (NAMS).
We are in the planning process for the Friday, Instructor Appreciation event and the Saturday event hosted by Harley-Davidson and hope to provide conference attendees with a real “Wild West” Montana experience.
This year’s conference will provide participants with a wide variety of break-out sessions that really fit the theme of “Open Spaces…Open Minds”. A sample of these sessions will include: “BRC – 2 for the Returning Rider”, “Guided Discussion - A Simple, Consistent, and Effective Classroom Teaching Technique”, “Brain Based Learning”, “Diversity of Rider Training Presents Opportunities for Everyone”, “SMSA Listening Session”, “Taking it to the Track with Street-Masters”, and “Maximum Braking - Evaluation and Coaching”. There will be some outdoor sessions this year to include: “Open Spaces Filled with New Course Exercises” and “ABS-A Better Solution”. For the full list of the break-out sessions and their descriptions, please visit the SMSA web site at www.smsa.org.
 Montana makes the perfect backdrop for this exciting conference. We hope you will all mark your calendars and take time out of your busy schedules to come and join us under the Big Sky.
SMSA Memorial Fund Announced
The SMSA Executive Committee held a regular meeting in March 2008 in Billings, Montana. During that meeting, the creation of a memorial fund was discussed. As a result, the committee agreed it would be appropriate to set up a fund that will give motorcycle safety professionals and others interested in motorcycle safety the opportunity to recognize a passing friend and/or colleague.
Memorial funds can be used for motorcycle safety efforts including but not limited to sponsoring breaks or events at the annual SMSA National Conference. The use of these funds is at the discretion of the SMSA Executive Committee.
Events sponsored in full or in part with memorial funds will be recognized with appropriate signage at events or recognition in our membership communications.
All donations received will be listed on the SMSA website. Those donating to the fund will be asked for permission to post their name and amount of donation on the SMSA website. Those who prefer to remain anonymous may do so however, the amount of their donation will be posted on the website.
The SMSA will provide all who donate a thank you letter as a receipt of their donation. The SMSA is recognized by the IRS as a non-profit 501 (c) (3) organization. Contributions to this fund may be tax deductible.
To make a donation, please click on the link below to access the memorial fund information on the SMSA website.
http://www.smsa.org/services/MemorialFund/MemorialFund.php
Indiana Repeals Discriminatory Fee on Motorcyclists
On March 19, 2008, Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels signed HB 1318 into law. This bill repealed a $10.00 fee imposed only on motorcycle registrations to fund a brain and spinal cord injury research center. Instead, HB 1318 imposed a $.30 fee on all passenger vehicles to support the research center. The $.30 fee on all passenger vehicles will actually raise more money annually for the research center than the motorcycle only fee, and it will do so by collecting an almost unnoticeable fee on all registered passenger vehicle registrations rather than a hefty fee on just motorcycle registrations.
NHTSA to Conduct a Motorcycle Safety Assessment in Indiana
In conjunction with the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute, the NHTSA will be conducting a motorcycle safety assessment for Indiana from June 16 through 20, 2008. Since Indiana was one of the first states to have a formal motorcycle safety assessment conducted, this assessment comes almost eleven years after the first assessment was completed in September of 1997. Two of the assessment team’s members, Steve Garets and Andy Krajewski, participated on the original assessment. The other three team members: Richard Davis, Larry Lippolis and Carol Montoya, will be assessing the Indiana program for the first time. Everyoneinvolved in the assessment is looking forward to the assessment team’s recommendations as another way to address Indiana’s comprehensive efforts to improve the motorcycle safety environment in the State.
US Insurance Services Offers New Coverage for Professionals
Educational Professional Liability Available
 JACKSONVILLE, FL - U.S. Insurance Services, insurers of Motorcycle, ATV and Dirt Bike rider education programs, now offers a critically important provision to their Educators Professional Liability (aka “EPL”) portion of their program. Educators Professional Liability coverage provides insurance for all riding coaches, including independent contractors and other rider coaches regardless of whether they are full or part time employees of the school. This new provision is available at no additional cost to riding schools currently insured thru us. The coverage protects all types of instructors against claims and lawsuits arising out of classroom injuries and accidents. Janice Bagley, spokesperson and director of the rider education program, stated “many schools might not be aware that other companies do not offer this important protection.”
Insurance now Available for ATV and Dirt Bike Schools
JACKSONVILLE, FL - U.S. Insurance Services, insurers of rider education programs, now offers insurance for all ATV and dirt bike riding schools. Janice Bagley, spokesperson and director of the rider education program, stated that the product will be comparable to our existing motorcycle rider program in terms of coverage. The rates are quite competitive giving schools another option for insurance.
Contact:
Janice Bagley
Rider Education Insurance Specialist
U.S. Insurance Services
800-247-9718
jbagley@us-insurance.com
2009 SMSA Conference planned for Madison, Wisconsin
Next year's SMSA Conference will be held in Madison, Wisconsin. Get a sneak peek at local attractions: Download PDF file.
Your Regional Representatives
Eastern Region
Mr. Andrew Krajewski, Secretary
(Term expires 8/2009)
Maryland Driver Education and Licensing
6601 Ritchie Highway NE
Blen Burnie, Maryland 21062
Phone: 410-424-3731
Fax: 410-787-7742
Email: akrajewski@mdot.state.md.us
Mr. Louie Kyler
(Term expires 8/2008)
Florida Rider Training Program
Division of Driver Licenses
2900 Apalachee Parkway, B-211, MS88
Orlando, Florida 32399-0571
Phone: 407-719-5022
Fax: 850-488-2683
Email: Louie.Kyler@hsmv.state.fl.us
www.motorcycle.hsmv.state.fl.us
Central Region
Mr. John Bodeker
(Term expires 8/2009)
Indiana Department of Education
Division of School/Traffic Safety
Room 229, State House
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204-2798
Phone: 317-232-0893
Fax: 317-233-0858
E-mail: jbodeker@doe.state.in.us
www.ideanet.doe.state.in.us/safety/mre.html
Mr. Ronald Thompson
(Term expires 8/2008)
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 8/2008)
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@nd.gov
Ms. Michele Calvert
(Term expires 8/2009)
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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