What is the MMSC?
The Minnesota Motorcycle Safety Center is a total motorcycle safety package. In addition to providing safety training and education, the MMSC also tests and licenses riders, provides free safety materials, broadcasts safety messages in print and on the airwaves, works with a citizens’ advisory committee, and partners with public and private entities to make motorcycling safer for everyone.
MMSC History and Mission
The law also created the Motorcycle Safety Fund, a dedicated fund that can be used solely for the MMSP. A portion of the money paid by Minnesota motorcyclists for license endorsements,and renewals goes directly to the program that serves Minnesota motorcyclists. (That's why most of the materials provided by MMSP include the tag line: "Paid for by Minnesota motorcyclists.") Currently, 65 percent of the yearly budget for the Motorcycle Safety Fund goes to rider training and 30 - 35 percent is used for public information and education activities. The law specifies that no more than five percent of the fund can be used for administration.
The mission of MMSP is to prevent motorcycle crashes and the resulting fatalities and injuries by providing high quality rider education, training, and licensing. Since the program's beginning, Minnesota has seen a dramatic decrease in motorcycle deaths. In 1980, before implementation of MMSP, a record high of 121 motorcyclists died in crashes. In 1997, motorcycle fatalities reached a record low of 24. Motorcycle crashes and injuries were cut in half during that time, from around 2,500 per year to 1,200. The MMSP - and the Minnesota motorcyclists who help pay for the program - are proud of this accomplishment.
Click here to view training totals for the MMSP from 1986 to present.
The program has grown steadily since its inception in 1983, but without any real identity of its own. In 1997, program coordinators at the Minnesota Department of Public Safety felt the program needed a stronger identity that better reflected the mission, goals and activities of the MMSP. To achieve this, the MMSP was renamed the Minnesota Motorcycle Safety Center, or MMSC. A trademarked logo was developed by Martin Williams Advertising Agency in Minneapolis.
The program is structured into two divisions: rider training and public information and education. The Rider Training Division conducts all of the motorcycle training and riding courses and third-party licensing. The Public Information and Education Division coordinates all the promotional activities, such as the annual Washout event, the annual advertising campaign, and the motorcycle safety display booth. The Public Information and Education Division also develops and prints all public education materials.
MMSC Organization
The MMSC Rider Training Division is offered through the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MnSCU). The basic, experienced, and moped rider courses are conducted using curriculum and materials developed by the MSF. The MMSC is a mobile rider training program, using 24 trailers, 350 training motorcycles at 32 range sites throughout Minnesota. DPS and MnSCU staff coordinate the course sites, trailers, motorcycles, and more than 180 MSF-certified “RiderCoaches” to conduct more than 750 motorcycle safety courses every riding season. Additionally, the MMSC helps coordinate the Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS) Evening Testing program, recruits and trains instructor (“rider coaches”), purchases and maintains the training bikes and trailers, and staffs motorcycle safety booth exhibits at the International Motorcycle Show, Women’s Exposition, etc. The Rider Training Division receives about two-thirds of the yearly income of the Motorcycle Safety Fund.
The MMSC Public Relations Division is operated by the Minnesota Department of Public Safety's Office of Communications. Pat Hahn administers an annual budget for public information and education efforts. Pat coordinates promotional activities, such as the annual Washout event during Motorcycle Safety Month (May), the annual public information and education campaigns, and the motorcycle safety display booth. The Public Relations Division also develops and prints all motorist awareness and public education materials, (including the Minnesota Rider Review), heads up media relations, and fills information and materials requests from clubs, dealers, law-enforcement organizations, and other interested parties.
Another DPS office, Driver and Vehicle Services, provides assistance with issues involving motorcycle testing and licensing. Several staff members in DVS have worked with the MMSC to increase the number of licensed riders and to help ensure that testing is thorough but not inconvenient for motorcyclists.
Public Information and Education Coordinator Pat Hahn, Office of Communications 651-201-7566, pat.hahn@state.mn.us Minnesota Department of Public Safety 444 Cedar St, Ste 155, St Paul, Minnesota, 55101-5155 Motorcycle Safety Project Coordinator Bill Shaffer, Office of Traffic Safety 651-201-7075, william.shaffer@state.mn.us Minnesota Department of Public Safety 444 Cedar St, Ste 150, St Paul, Minnesota, 55101-5150 Statistics on Motorcycling in Minnesota
Contact Us
Rider Training Project Manager
Joan Rasmussen, Minnesota State Colleges and Universities
507-389-7450, joan.rasmussen@southcentral.edu
South Central College
1920 Lee Blvd, North Mankato, Minnesota, 56003
Minnesota Motorcycle Safety Advisory Committee
Charles Fletcher, Chair (2010)
rumbl@msn.com
The annual crash and injury statistics show both the effectiveness of the Minnesota Motorcycle Safety Center and the continuing need for a comprehensive program. The Minnesota Department of Public Safety's Office of Traffic Safety publishes "Minnesota Motor Vehicle Crash Facts," which includes motorcycle crash statistics. Click here to view Crash Facts on the Web.
Last Updated 7/30/2010
