IRVINE, Calif., Mar. 11, 2008 - The Motorcycle Safety Foundation's BasicRiderCourse is now available to the citizens of Hawaii. First classeswere held January 4 - 6, 2008, at Leeward Community College. Althoughclasses for the new course are already filled through March on Oahu,prospective students can obtain upcoming class and schedulinginformation for Oahu and the neighbor islands by calling (808) 455-0479,or visiting http://www.lcc.hawaii.edu/ocewd/Programs/HMSEP/HMSEP.htm
The MSF Basic RiderCourse has long been available to the militarypersonnel in Hawaii, but until now military graduates have been requiredto take a second course offered by the Hawaii Department ofTransportation to receive their motorcycle endorsement.
Key leaders of Street Bikers United of Hawaii, with support of itsmembership, originally brought this issue to the attention of HDOT onbehalf of the military personnel and riders in Hawaii. The MSF workedwith SBU and key legislators, HDOT Deputy Director Dr. Brennon Morioka,and Highway Safety Specialist Marjorie Kazama, in achieving approval ofthe Basic RiderCourse for Hawaii residents.
Leeward Community College, the school that delivers the training in thestate of Hawaii, has transitioned the Hawaii Motorcycle Safety EducationProgram to the MSF Basic RiderCourse. Working with the MSF and HDOT tooversee the transition is William Labby, Interim Motorcycle SafetyEducation Program Coordinator at Leeward.
"Providing the MSF's Basic RiderCourse in Hawaii is a real benefit toservice personnel in Hawaii who will no longer be required to take anadditional, outdated course to obtain their license waiver from thestate," Labby said. "Beyond that, the entire community of riders willbenefit by now having access to the latest MSF learn-to-ride course."
Since 1973, the MSF has set internationally recognized standards thatpromote the safety of motorcyclists with rider education courses,operator licensing tests, and public information programs. The MSF workswith the federal government, state agencies, the military and others tooffer training for all skill levels so riders may enjoy a lifetime ofsafe, responsible motorcycling.
The MSF is a not-for-profit organization sponsored by BMW, BRP, Ducati,Harley-Davidson, Honda, Kawasaki, KTM, Piaggio, Suzuki, Triumph, Victoryand Yamaha. For RiderCourseSM locations, call (800) 446-9227 or visitwww.msf-usa.org.