The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDot) is offering a new series of motorcycle safety clinics.
The courses focus on developing operator proficiency among prospective, experienced, and new Pennsylvania riders. Clinics are free of charge to Pennsylvania residents who have motorcycle learner’s permits or motorcycle licenses.
Developed by PennDOT’s new program coordinator, Total Control Training Incorporated, the program will offer five revamped training syllabuses tailored not just to hone a rider’s knowledge, but to test one’s ability to physically manipulate a motorcycle properly.
All training clinics are conducted under the supervision of certified instructors at one of numerous riding ranges located throughout the state.
Three of the clinics — the Beginning Rider Clinic (BRC), the Intermediate Riding Clinic (IRC), and the 3-Wheel Riding Clinic (3WRC) — offer a pathway to earning a motorcycle license.
The beginner’s riding courses are at Slippery Rock University’s Vincent Science Center, Reynolds Elementary School in Mercer County and Beaver County Career and Technology Center. The intermediate and three-wheel sessions are at locations elsewhere in the state.
The 17-hour beginner course consists of seven hours of in-class instruction and 10 hours of practical riding. Basic riding skills, shifting, stopping, swerving, turning and mental skills for hazard avoidance highlight the training.
Students taking the course each are provided with a motorcycle and helmet; however, students are responsible for providing all other protective gear. Act 84 of 2012 put into place the requirement that any permit holder under age 18 must successfully complete the course to obtain his or her motorcycle license.
The eight-hour intermediate riding clinic allows skilled riders to refresh safety knowledge and hone on-road skills. The course is based on motorcycle crash research and focuses on cornering, braking and swerving skills. Students taking this clinic must provide their own motorcycles and protective gear and provide proof of insurance, current registration and inspection for their motorcycles.
During the 3-wheel riding clinic, riders learn skills and safety strategies like those taught in the basic rider course, except they learn on a 3-wheeled motorcycle. As with the intermediate course, students must provide their own motorcycles and protective gear and provide proof of insurance, current registration and inspection for their motorcycles. The clinic is comprised of four hours of classroom instruction and eight hours of riding.
Motorcycle learner’s permit holders who successfully complete any of the three courses will be issued a motorcycle license. Those who successfully pass their skills test on a three-wheeled motorcycle will be issued motorcycle licenses with a “9” restriction, meaning they are prohibited from operating two-wheeled motorcycles.
For would-be riders who are still not sure if they want to ride, the agency offers the new, four-hour Introduction to Riding Clinic, a non-licensing course that teaches fundamental skills for operating a two-or-three wheeled motorcycle and progresses from classroom to street skills and strategies. Students are provided with motorcycles and helmets.
Rounding out the course offerings is the Advanced Rider Clinic, a one-day session for experienced riders who want to enhance safety skills through attitude and awareness. The clinic is designed to enhance a rider’s ability to avoid a crash through honing their decision-making abilities, riding strategies, risk management and rider behavior and choices.
In addition to improving riding skills, according to the Pennsylvania Insurance Department, many insurers offer discounts for motorcyclists who have completed safety courses, have memberships in certain associations or have safe driving records.
Anti-lock braking systems help maintain control during sudden stops, and some insurers offer discounts for motorcycles with factory installed anti-lock braking systems. Individuals should check with their insurance company for applicable discounts.
For more information or to enroll in a clinic, visit here or call 1-800-845-9533. Potential riders who want a convenient way to study for their knowledge test can download the PA Motorcycle Practice Test app by visiting here and searching the mobile apps for the Pennsylvania Motorcycle License Practice Test by clicking on the Apps link at the bottom of the page.
