The Montana Motorcycle Rider Safety program is looking for applicants to help meet demand for rider safety classes in 2015.
More teachers are needed in Great Falls, Billings, Bozeman, Helena, Kalispell and Missoula.
According to a news release from Montana State University-Northern, the Montana Motorcycle Rider Safety Program is hoping to qualify up to 15 new instructors this year to help less-experienced motorcyclists build riding skills and safe habits. Similar training programs have proven effective in preventing injuries and deaths among novice and moderately experienced motorcycle operators and their passengers.
The program holds classes in most major population centers in Montana from April through June. In a typical year, about 1,300 riders complete basic or advanced riding courses.
“Being a RiderCoach imparts a certain status within the motorcycle riding community, said Jim Morrow, director of the Montana Motorcycle Rider Safety program based at MSU-Northern in Havre, “but the main reason our coaches devote time to teaching is to help riders be safe and to support motorcycling. They have a passion about safety as well as motorcycles.”
After passing a nine-day course and riding skills test, coaches are expected to teach a rider course about once a month during the riding season running from April through September. According to Morrow, the pay a RiderCoach receives will more than offset the $150 registration fee for their training course, however, none of the coaches who participate do it for the money.
“Our rider coaches have a sincere desire to help people,” Morrow said. “They want to give back to their community.”
Experienced motorcycle riders qualify to teach by passing the RiderCoach Preparation Course developed by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation. The course is about 70 hours conducted over nine days. The next RiderCoach training is set for May 9-17 in Great Falls. More information on training here.
Candidates also undergo a background check and should have a safe driving record. Jim Morrow would welcome questions from potential applicants. Call 800-922-BIKE.
