Registration opens for April 30 Motorcycle Safety Forum

AMES, Iowa – March 18, 2010 – Registrations are now being accepted for the Seventh Annual Motorcycle Safety Forum. The Iowa Traffic Safety Alliance, a diverse partnership of highway safety practitioners in engineering, enforcement, education and emergency services, is facilitating the event from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 30 at the Scheman Building on the Iowa State University campus in Ames.

 

Last year’s forum was a sold-out event, so do not wait too long to register. Registration is $10, with lunch and breaks provided, plus a chance to win an Aluma motorcycle trailer.

 

The forum brings together stakeholders, including individuals representing the Iowa Motorcycle Rider Education Program, Iowa departments of Transportation and Public Safety and motorcycle associations, along with enthusiasts, riders and dealers.

 

The theme for this year’s event is Lifelong Learning. The focus is on learning as a continuous process and “conspicuity,” which means (1) easily seen or noticed; readily visible or observable; and (2) attracting special attention, as by outstanding qualities or eccentricities.

There are plenty of ways to increase your safety when driving in traffic – listen for different sounds and look for ways that you can be more “conspicuous”. To continue on a path of lifelong learning, attend a rider training course to hone your motorcycle riding skills.

 

This one-day, interactive forum will be highlighted by safety displays, rider training, vendor booths and other motorcycle-related exhibits. Registrants will have an opportunity to sign up to win a free headlamp modulator.

 

Forum attendees will have an opportunity to participate in breakout sessions, including a presentation from Dr. Daniel Thomas from the Snell Memorial Foundation on “Snell and Helmet Standard.” Scheduled keynote speakers are: Phil Davis, On With Life; Andy Goldfine, Aerostitch; and Rob Dingman, president of American Motorcycle Association.

 

Motorcycle fatalities have increased significantly, both in Iowa and nationally, since the late 1990s. Iowa has more than 200,000 licensed motorcycle operators and more than 125,000 registered motorcycles. Preliminary data show 49 people were killed last year while driving or riding on motorcycles in Iowa. Of the 49 fatalities, five people died in crashes with deer. Fatal crashes for drivers age 55-64 doubled from 2008 to 2009. Of those fatal motorcycle crashes, 52 percent were single-vehicle crashes.

 

To register, contact Iowa State University’s Conference Services by phone at 515-294-6222, fax 515-294-6223 or E-mail UCS-info@iastate.edu. Participants may also register at http://www.ucs.iastate.edu/mnet/motorcycle/home.html.  

 

Participants are asked to be prepared to share ideas and thoughts with forum committee members and other riders throughout the day.

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