IRVINE, Calif., April 7, 2009 – The California Motorcyclist Safety Program (CMSP) has launched a significantly enhanced version of its website,
www.ca-msp.org. The CMSP is a motorcyclist-funded, state-operated program administered by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) under contract with the California Highway Patrol (CHP).

Based on the direction of the CHP, the new CMSP website is a virtual clearinghouse for motorcycle safety information, making it a much more comprehensive and robust online experience for California’s current and prospective motorcyclists. Visitors to the site will be able to quickly find the motorcycle training course most appropriate for their skill and experience level and enroll online. They’ll also find expanded information, links, and resources to keep them coming back time and time again, including:

· California DMV
· California Vehicle Code
· California Highway Patrol
· CalTrans Road Conditions
· CHP SWITRS (Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System)
· CHP “Thrill or Buzzkill” video
· HelmetCheck.org, for information on DOT-compliant helmets
· National Agenda for Motorcycle Safety Implementation (NAMS)
· NHTSA Studies and Reports
· NHTSA FARS Encyclopedia
· NHTSA Helmet Information
· 2008 Impaired Driving National Enforcement Crackdown

“We’re proud to make the new CMSP website available so that current and prospective riders in California have a single integrated source for all their motorcycle safety and training needs,” said MSF Director of Program Administration Robert Gladden. “We worked closely with the California Highway Patrol to provide content that riders actually want and need, with enhanced graphics, images, and seamlessly integrated technology.”

The new online Rider Enrollment System (RES) provides a more user-friendly interface, making it easier for students to find and enroll in training at the site of their choice given specific location and course parameters. Students now have have access to the most up-to-the-minute information available, such as the number of students currently enrolled in a given class, or whether a class is full, because course enrollment information is updated in real time directly by authorized CMSP training sites.

The California Motorcyclist Safety Program trained 70,469 students in 2008, an 11 percent increase over 2007, setting what is believed to be the record for most students trained in a year by any state program. The CMSP has 124 active ranges, 494 MSF-certified RiderCoaches, and six RiderCoach Trainers. Under contract with the California Highway Patrol, the MSF initially assumed the administration of the CMSP on January 1, 2004. In September 2007 MSF was again selected by CHP to administer the CMSP for 2008 and 2009.

Since 1973, the Motorcycle Safety Foundation has set internationally recognized standards that promote the safety of motorcyclists with rider education courses, operator licensing tests, and public information programs.  The MSF works with the federal government, state agencies, the military, and others to offer training for all skill levels so riders can enjoy a lifetime of safe, responsible motorcycling. 

The MSF is a not-for-profit organization sponsored by BMW, BRP, Ducati, Harley-Davidson, Honda, Kawasaki, KTM, Piaggio, Suzuki, Triumph, Victory and Yamaha.  For RiderCourseSM locations, call 800.446.9227 or visit www.msf-usa.org.

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