Bikers rush to dodge new law requiring safety classes

Ann Skinner came up with a great way of saving money: Drive her 28-mile daily commute on a scooter that gets 70 miles per gallon.

She saved even more money by passing her motorcycle tests on Friday, just days before a new law takes effect requiring new motorcyclists to take a safety class that costs $200 to $300.

"I'm happy to save $200," said Skinner, a graphic artist who lives in St. Petersburg. "That was the whole idea, to save money."

The law, which takes effect Tuesday, is meant to keep new motorcyclists alive by putting them in classes tailor-made to teach them how to safely maneuver on roads filled with other drivers who often aren't looking for them. Many motorcyclists say these classes can be great — even some who showed up at the Pinellas Park driver's license office Friday in hopes of avoiding them.

But the new law comes at a time when many people are turning to two-wheelers to save money. MacPherson said she looked into a course that cost $300 and decided to try to take the test earlier.

"The money is a tremendously big thing," said Joe Penrose, 40, who works in maintenance and got his motorcycle endorsement Friday. Penrose, of St. Pete Beach, was so happy about getting his new Harley-Davidson recently that he had its image tattooed on his arm.

A total of 14,714 people have received motorcycle endorsements from the state this month, more than twice the 6,354 who received them last June.

Some driver's license offices will be open today and a few will take the unusual step of opening Sunday to accommodate the number of people trying to take the written and driving portions of the motorcycle test. That's partly to make up for several appointments canceled in recent days because of rain, said Ann Nucatola, spokeswoman for the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.

The law already required people under 21 to take the classes in order to get a state motorcycle endorsement. Now the classes are required for everyone getting the motorcycle endorsement.

The state has selected several groups around Florida to provide the classes, which last from a weekend to five days. In the class, participants take the written and driving tests previously only offered at the license offices.

Florida Highway Patrol Capt. Mark Welch said the courses can be a big benefit to new motorcyclists, teaching them where in the lane to drive, stopping distances and other topics.

David Hendricks, program manager for Harley-Davidson-affiliated safety classes in Brandon, Tampa and New Port Richey, said: "There's so many people out there that ride motorcycles currently that know the idea of how to ride but they don't know all the principles of how to ride."

These driver's license offices are open at 8 a.m. for the motorcycle tests today:

Comments on this article

by Laughton	Jul 2, 2008 9:48 PM
Here on the Left Coast, the MSF course is optional but, if one takes it, the riding portion of the DMV motorcycle endorsement process is satisfied for successful completion. But 4-wheelers need rider education as well. It's a 2 way street, right?

by Jane	Jun 30, 2008 12:55 PM
MSF is a great course. I took it in April and the instructers worked really well with all of us. The cost is high because they supply the bike too. Not all of them drive HD, most drive metrics.

by Nate	Jun 30, 2008 11:20 AM
85% of all motor cycle crashes involve lack of awareness from other drivers. The MSF is a good idea but $300 doesn't teach the rest of the world how to put down the Big Mac and drive safer.

by suzanne	Jun 30, 2008 11:18 AM
Do a story on motorcycle endorsements classes. Where, when and how much do they cost? WOuld love to see an article and get the information. Finding it hard to get a straight answer from anyone. thank you

by K	Jun 29, 2008 1:24 PM
Motorcycle safety classes are essential. My friend has biked many years & take a refresher course every two years.

by C	Jun 29, 2008 1:24 PM
Car drivers should be required to take safety course before getting 1st driver license. All drivers should be required to take written open-book exam to switch from another state's license to FL license. They need to know FL laws, not assume they kno

by Sal	Jun 29, 2008 1:21 PM
It won't be long before we start hearing about the scooter fatalities, those things are dangerous on the road. Drive safe, drive smart this is a dangerous area to ride. It's not worth dying over a few gallons of gas!

by k	Jun 29, 2008 1:00 PM
motorcycles make me nervous. not only do riders often not wear helmets, they ride like idiots. they do the riskiest stunts. it makes me ill. i don't want to be in an accident with one of you due to YOUR negligence.

by Judy	Jun 28, 2008 11:03 PM
I know this is a dumb question, so please be kind.I re-newed my Fla Drivers License Jan 2007, and I have a motorcycle license.. am I legal without taking the class since I've already got the license?Thank U,I don't like surprises if I get pulled over

by LDH	Jun 28, 2008 6:42 PM
To all motorcycle drivers and the like, PLEASE follow the rules and keep your speeds at the speed limit. Those of us in cars don't want to involved in having you wipe out and landing in our windshields or accidently killing you. Follow the rules.

by Dan	Jun 28, 2008 6:42 PM
The problem with the classes, beyond the cost, is the huge an unflexible time commitment that is required. Now that it is mandatory for working adults you would think that schedule can be reconsidered.

by tom	Jun 28, 2008 6:42 PM
the class is worth much more than $200.00 in what you learn! it's those riders who want to try to cut corners, end up dying! If you want to ride, take the class and wear a helmet, your and my lives is worth a few hundred dollars.

by Jeff	Jun 28, 2008 6:42 PM
What, and Where, are the locations of the D.M V. offices that will be open on sunday fir the Motorcycle endorsment class ??????

by Robert	Jun 28, 2008 6:41 PM
Would you guys please talk to other rider then HD! Nothing against HD, nice bikes. But there are alot of other makes out there. Seems everytime there is an article about bikes it you guys only talk to HD riders. Please keep us Euro riders in mind.

by Dave in St Pete	Jun 28, 2008 6:41 PM
So when do the mandatory classes for autos, etc. start or is this law just going to discriminate against bike riders? Harley Davidson, SHAME on you for supporting this, I'll never buy another HD. I've been riding HD for 38 years. Now it's FOR SALE!

by Al	Jun 28, 2008 6:41 PM
Maybe they should have classes for all the people driving cars that constantly pull out in front of motorcyclists and kill them. Now that would be a good class. These classes are good, but most of the time motorcyclists dont even have time to react.

by Dionysis	Jun 28, 2008 6:41 PM
I have been riding for years though I do not currently have a motorcycle endorsement. This is nothing more than a way to get money to another company. Maggots, all of them. Stop trying to "save" us from ourselves.

by PASCO PETE	Jun 28, 2008 6:41 PM
I AGREE THAT THE COURSE MUST BE TAKEN BUT THE COST IS TOO MUCH IT SEEMS THAT RIDERS ARE BEING TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF FOR TRYING TO SAVE MONEY ON GAS. BEFORE ANY DUMB COMMENTS I DON'T RIDE A BIKE.

by Rocky	Jun 28, 2008 6:40 PM
This is good for the motorcyclist safety as well as the driving public. Now if we could have a course for CAR Drivers. Teaching : Use Turn Signals Slow Traffic keep to the Right No Tailgating,Observe Speed Limit,Rain use Lights, Stop for Red Lights

by Joe	Jun 28, 2008 6:40 PM
"Money is a...big thing...Harley-Davidson...tattooed." So money is the issue, yet you had enough to buy a Harley ($$$, poor MPG) and got a tattoo which probably cost almost as much as a safety class. Image must be more important than your safety.

by LittleBro	Jun 28, 2008 6:39 PM
Why? You're trying to teach people something about safety when those same people don't have the sense to wear a helmet. Here's a free lesson - don't ride on US19 or Gulf to Bay. Keep the glass rockets on the strip - not the street.

by Jeff	Jun 28, 2008 6:39 PM
Take the MSF class, people. I did, 2 years ago, and it's why I'm alive today. These experienced instructors ride the same bluehair-ridden streets you will soon ride, they will teach you how to protect yourself from them (and yourself!)