Illinois Department of Transportation Invites Public to Attend Free Motorcycle Rider Courses

SPRINGFIELD - Illinois Transportation Secretary Gary Hannig today announced that the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) will hold free Motorcycle Rider Training Courses for novice riders as part of the Cycle Rider Safety Training Program (CRSTP). Upcoming training courses in the following locations that are not currently full include: Pontiac, Canton, Decatur, Galesburg, LaSalle, Montgomery and East Peoria.

"IDOT is extremely committed to motorcycle safety in Illinois," said IDOT Secretary Gary Hannig. "We encourage all novice motorcyclists to take advantage of these courses in order to provide them with the necessary tools they need to ride safely."

Many riders sign up early and as a result, classes are often listed as full or closed. Due to cancellations, some courses will accept students on a space available basis. During the 2010 Training Season, more than two-thirds of walk-in students had received training.

The training courses are for any Illinois resident 16 years of age or older who holds a valid automobile or motorcycle driver's license or permit. Upcoming beginner rider courses (BRC) will be held on weekends according to the following dates and respective locations: Pontiac (9/3-10/22), Canton (10/1/-10/15), Decatur (10/22 weekend only), Galesburg (10/1-10/22), LaSalle (10/1-10/22) and Montgomery (9/3-10/22). An intermediate rider course (IRC) will be held on weekends in East Peoria from September 3rd-October 22nd.

The BRC is designed for the Beginning Rider, but is not limited to only new riders.  The course will include approximately 20 hours of instruction.  Participants will receive a course text book, 7 hours of classroom instruction, 13 hours of "hands-on" cycle instruction.  The Basic Riding Course will give participants the physical skills and the knowledge to apply those skills appropriately. 

The IRC is designed for the intermediate rider, for those who have already had some experience as a motorcycle operator.  This course is approximately 10 hours that includes classroom and hands on instruction.  Registrants are required to have a valid motorcycle endorsement (class "L" or "M") or a motorcycle learner's permit from the Illinois Secretary of State. Training motorcycles and DOT approved helmets are provided at both the BRC and IRC.

To locate and register for a training course nearest you, please visit www.startseeingmotorcycles.org.