MSF leads Annual SMSA Conference for motorcycle safety administrators
Motorcycle Safety Foundation Press Release - Aug 26, 2010

The Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) champions safety efforts by sharing its institutional knowledge and the subject-matter expertise of its highly-credentialed staff at regional events, and at national and international motorcycle safety conferences.

One such event is the annual conference for the National Association of State Motorcycle Safety Administrators (SMSA), held in Columbus, Ohio, August 20-22, 2010. MSF’s leadership role in the motorcycle safety community was underscored by key MSF staffers leading breakout sessions, meeting with stakeholders and being available to provide assistance and answer attendees’ questions on technical or training matters.

Also in conjunction with the event, the MSF hosted a MSF state coordinator appreciation dinner, debuted an all-new, 36-page annual edition of Safe Cycling, complete with updated MSF history and milestones, and conducted a RiderCoach Trainer (RCT) Conference for over 140 RCTs the Monday following the conference.

In addition, conference attendees had the opportunity to learn more about the challenges and complexity of successfully delivering the comprehensive Rider Education and Training System, the cornerstone of which is the MSF Basic RiderCourse, to a vast network that served over 400,000 riders in 2009 alone.

MSF staffed a display that offered a behind-the-scenes, detailed look at the day-to-day functionality and dimension of the RETS delivery infrastructure; a system that took the MSF many years of research, planning, collaboration and millions of dollars to develop, and one with numerous built-in capabilities for continuous-loop feedback and improvement.

“We believe that developing good riding character – how a rider behaves when he or she is on their own, away from the watchful guidance of a RiderCoach or observations by law – is an ultimate goal. The MSF provides training and support to develop riders who make good real world decisions: to ride within the traffic laws, within their own personal limits, unimpaired, focused on the tasks of riding, mindful to refresh their skills and attentive to making wise risk management decisions. The SMSA Conference, workshops and breakout sessions allow us the opportunity to share this vision,” said MSF President Tim Buche.

Topics addressed in the breakout sessions and workshops included:

• Herding Cats II: Taking Theory Into Practice - Al Hydeman - (Principles of group dynamics specifically as it relates to the BRC classroom. 
• Implementing the Rider Skills Test (RST) in Your State - Jim Heideman - (Content of the new licensing exam offered by MSF and a review of the training and materials.
• QA Team Training - Sherry Williams, Chris Connelly, David Crouch and Keith Sopp( - A review of the proven, tested and reliable Quality Assurance specialist training that has been implemented by several state programs. 
• RiderCoach Certification/Re-Certification: Current Issues and Future Actions - Ray Ochs - (A description of the new certification requirements MSF is proposing to ensure quality across all MSF curricula (e.g. 3WBRC, SBRC, RRC, IEM, SMARTrainer, ARC, SRC). 

MSF staff in attendance included Tim Buche, Chris Connelly (NY), Randy Cooper (GA campus), David Crouch, Charlie Fernandez, Robert Gladden, Dr. Jim Heideman, Al Hydeman, Dr. Ray Ochs, Cathy Rimm, David Smith (NM), Madeline Smith,  Dave Surgenor (PA), Jayson White (OH campus), Dan Williams (WV), Dr. Sherry Williams and Briana Wombacher.       (

The Motorcycle Safety Foundation promotes rider safety through rider training systems, operator licensing tests and public information programs. The MSF works with the federal government, state agencies, the military, and others to offer training for all skill levels so riders can enjoy a lifetime of safe, responsible motorcycling. Standards established by the MSF have been internationally recognized since 1973.

The MSF mission is: To make motorcycling safer, and more enjoyable, by ensuring access to lifelong quality education and training for current and prospective riders and by advocating a safer riding environment

For more information about this conference or the MSF Rider Education and Training System, Mr. Robert Frank, MSF Rider Coach of the Year, can be reached at 303-885-5787. 

The MSF is a not-for-profit organization sponsored by BMW, BRP, Ducati, Harley-Davidson, Honda, Kawasaki, KTM, Piaggio, Suzuki, Triumph, Victory and Yamaha.