Programs
General Information
General Information
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: Effective with the 2011 training season, completion cards will be mailed two weeks after completion of a Basic or Intermediate RiderCourse (BRC or IRC).
This is a change from previous years.
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Purpose
The Motorcycle RiderCourses are offered to beginning and
experienced motorcycle riders in an effort to reduce the severity
and frequency of motorcycle accidents. The
Motorcycle Safety
Foundation curriculum is used. It is designed to help riders
manage their risk and increase their skills through riding and
classroom instruction.
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Eligibility
Any Illinois resident (16 years of age or older) who holds a
valid driver's license or permit is eligible to register for the FREE
Motorcycle Rider Courses. Persons under 18 years of age must have a
parent or legal guardian approve participation in the course by
signing a waiver form, which can be downloaded from our web site
(http://motorcyclesafety.illinoisstate.edu/IDOTWaiverandMedicalConsentForms.pdf).
Be sure to bring the signed form to the first meeting.
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Basic RiderCourse
The Basic RiderCourse (BRC) provides approximately 20 hours of
classroom and on-motorcycle instruction. In the BRC you will
practice and develop the four fundamental riding skills:
- Straight-line riding
- Turning
- Shifting
- Stopping
Then you will expand these basic skills into street-riding skills,
including:
- Advanced turning techniques
- Advanced braking techniques
- Swerving
You will also learn and practice the mental skills needed to
develop:
- Street-riding strategies
- The ability to deal with special situations
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Students
Provide
Protective clothing consisting of sturdy, over-the-ankle
footwear (not cloth or canvas, boots suggested),
long pants, long sleeve shirt or jacket, and
full-fingered gloves. Equipment provided for BRC includes:
helmet. A motorcycle will be provided for
BRC and IRC students only.
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Licensing
Two weeks after completion of a course, students successfully completing the BRC will be mailed a completion card.
This completion card will enable the Secretary of
State motorcycle written and driving tests to be waived for
those 18 years of age and older. Persons 16 and 17 must complete
this course to be eligible for the "M" class motorcycle endorsement.
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Illinois residents who are at least 18 years of age (on the first
day of their course) are eligible to enroll in the IRC if they have
a valid driver's license, or an
instruction permit, and have previous experience as
a motorcycle operator. All IRC students are expected to possess
reasonable proficiencies in basic motorcycle control operation,
straight line riding, upshifting, downshifting, turning, braking,
and stopping prior to enrolling in the IRC. All IRC students are
expected to be current motorcycle operators. They must have
been actively riding for the past 2 years. Those unable to
demonstrate these minimum expectations during the first riding
sessions will not be allowed to continue in the IRC course. Neither
will they be given preferential enrollment into a basic course.
The motorcycles, helmets, and textbooks are provided for each
student's use. Students must provide: a long-sleeved shirt or
jacket, long pants (heavy material with straight legs), sturdy
over-the-ankle footwear (not cloth or canvas), full-fingered gloves
and eye protection (glasses, goggles or face shield).
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The IRC is designed for riders with
previous experience who
are returning to motorcycling or who have ridden for some time
without a license. They may be returning
riders who passed the BRC and do not have their own motorcycle or
who would like additional training and practice before riding on the
street, and for experienced dirt bike riders who want to start
riding on the street.
The course presents an overview of the fundamentals of safe,
responsible motorcycling and provides the riders the opportunity to,
renew skills and acquire knowledge important for safe street
operation. The IRC provides a training experience for riders
who already have basic operational skills including motorcycle
control operation, straight line riding, upshifting, downshifting,
turning, braking, and stopping. All IRC students are expected
to be current motorcycle operators. They must have been
actively riding for the past 2 years. Those unable to
demonstrate these minimum expectations during the first riding
sessions will not be allowed to continue in the IRC course. Neither
will they be given preferential enrollment into a basic course.
The IRC consists of 8.5 hours of instruction with motorcycles and
helmets furnished, as well as classroom work and a written evaluation.
Two weeks after completion of a course, students successfully completing the IRC will be mailed a completion card.
This completion card will enable the Secretary of
State motorcycle written and driving tests to be waived for
those 18 years of age and older. Persons 16 and 17 must complete
this course to be eligible for the "M" class motorcycle endorsement.
Experienced RiderCourse (ERC) Eligibility
ERCs are available for enrollment at this regional center this
year. Information may be available from the NIU, SIU, U of I
motorcycle safety programs at the links in the ISU's Motorcycle
Safety Home Page. All ERC students must have at least one year of
riding experience with a minimum of 1000 miles driving a motorcycle,
or be a graduate of the BRC or IRC and have six months riding
experience and a minimum of 500 miles driving a motorcycle; provide
their own street-legal motorcycle or have the owner's written
permission to use a borrowed street-legal motorcycle; have a
motorcycle endorsement to ride the motorcycle used in the ERC;
complete a waiver form and motorcycle safety inspection checklist
(forms provided); show proof of motorcycle insurance (at first class
meeting). See also, Students Provide.
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Experienced
RiderCourse
In approximately 5 hours, you will:
- Increase your skills, knowledge and safety awareness and
enjoyment
- Become familiar with motorcycle dynamics, survival
strategies, emergency braking, countersteering and traction
availability
- Practice precise steering techniques and correct braking
methods under controlled conditions with Motorcycle Safety
Foundation Certified Instructors
- Gain the knowledge necessary for further development of safe
riding skills
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Special Needs
Please contact our office to discuss reasonable accommodations
for disabilities.
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Sponsored By
The Illinois
Department of Transportation (IDOT),
Illinois State
University,
Health Sciences Department (HSC), local motorcycle dealers, and
community agencies as a public service. This program is administered
through the IDOT, Division of Traffic Safety, Springfield, Illinois
and is supported by Public Act 82-649, the Cycle Rider Safety
Training Act.
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