MARCH 3, 2008

Allegan County educator ensures
riders offered high-quality courses

Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land today announced the selection of Steven Lick of Otsego as the newest of the state's RiderCoach Trainers, who ensure Michigan's motorcycle safety courses are the best available.

Lick is a longtime motorcyclist and an educator with more than 25 years of experience. He has worked as a RiderCoach teaching motorcycle safety courses for more than 10 years. For the past seven years, he has guided the start up of public motorcycle training programs sponsored by the Allegan County Intermediate School District and Grand Rapids Community College.

"Steven will make a great contribution to our efforts to improve the skills and safety of Michigan riders," Land said. "I encourage riders throughout the state to develop their skills with the excellent motorcycle safety program. Motorcycling makes for a great family weekend getaway and a unique way to see our state's splendor. Taking the course helps you and your loved ones return home safely."

As a trainer, Lick will develop future RiderCoaches and visit safety courses throughout the state to ensure they provide riders with a high-quality program. Now that he's been hired, he will travel to Kentucky for a two-week session to get his RiderCoach Trainer certification.

The position will be paid for from a grant from the Michigan Motorcycle Safety Fund, which supports training for RiderCourses throughout Michigan.

The skills course gives riders the opportunity to develop their safe riding ability. The course runs about 15 hours and includes classroom and riding skills practice time. A written test still must be taken at a Secretary of State office. Additionally, the course is required of all riders younger than 18 or those who have taken the motorcycle skills test twice and failed.

Since becoming Secretary of State, Land has made increasing motorcycle safety a priority. She has led an annual campaign to promote and spread awareness about motorcycle safety. She encourages all riders to take the safety course. Almost half of the more than 3,200 motorcycle crashes in 2006 involved no other vehicle except the motorcycle, suggesting that greater caution or training could have helped prevent some of the incidents.

Visit www.Michigan.gov/sos for more motorcycle training, endorsement or related information as well as for all programs and services offered by the Secretary of State's Office.