Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/1525556
VOLUME ISSUE AUGUST , P33 sic skillsets—you weren't even required to have a motorcycle li- cense to ride. So, as popularity in motorcycling took off, it became obvious that the States needed people to get licensed to ensure there was a general skillset out there. The MSF was created to develop curriculum so people could learn to ride the right way. Wow, that's a really respon - sible organization. Yes, exactly. And that mission has carried forward. Now, in 46 states, as well as all branches of the U.S. Military, MSF courses are recommended or required to get your license to ride. But I've learned by talking to you that the MSF is more than just a way to get a motorcycle license. MSF is involved in a lot more. MSF has made a reputation of the basic course and basic skills, but there are a lot more opportunities we offer to ride your best, as well. That includes the first experience. With MSF, we have 2000 locations for train - ing across 46 different states and over 6000 certified coaches teaching the MSF curriculum. So, we have a group of talented, ex- perienced people that can take people on their first ride. That's where RIDE Day came from. Tell us what RIDE Day is. RIDE Day is a program we've developed at the MSF to work with the coaches and ranges across the country to promote events in their area to get new riders the chance to have that first riding experience with very little to no investment on their part. Safety gear is provided. Motorcycles are provided. Coaches are there with every new rider the entire time. It's a very easy way to show someone the first motorcycling experience in a very controlled environment. So, these locations where a RIDE Day is held are ranges or locations where the current MSF curriculum is being taught, but now they're opening them up for an introduction to motor - cycling. You can bring someone there, or anyone can just show up, and they will get a first im- pression of motorcycling. Precisely. Very cool. This really knocks down the traditional barriers to a first-time rider, even if they're friends or related to a rider. You don't have to let them borrow your bike or slap a poor-fitting helmet on them and send them out on their own. They're coached! That is the whole point of the program—to knock down those things that are tough to get through on your own. How are Ride Day events be - ing received so far? Using round numbers from our first event based on surveys we do over a year after an event, we found that about 26 percent of RIDE Day participants, first- time riders, went on to take full MSF courses and essentially become trained motorcyclists, which is awesome. I would argue that you're now in the business of generating new riders as well as training those already convinced they want to be riders. What are people sharing with you at the events about what riding for the first time meant to them? The word empowering gets overused a lot, but if we had one of those markers on the door The MSF is ramping up for its 90 days of RIDE Day push, a nationwide effort to introduce as many potential riders to motorcycles as possible this year.