IDOT’s Cycle Rider Safety Training Program classes returning statewide

Picture it: You’re buzzing down the road on a motorcycle, wind rushing past. Maybe on the Great River Road along the Mississippi River, cruising the Chicago skyline or leaf-peeping as you navigate the winding terrain in Jo Daviess County.

Then you wake up and realize that not only do you not have a motorcycle, you also don’t know how to ride one. Or at least need a refresher or pointers to make sure you are keeping yourself and other safe.  

In partnership with Southern Illinois University, IDOT is offering its popular Cycle Rider Safety Training Program to any Illinois resident 16 and older with a valid driver’s license. These classes also come with extra credit: Successful graduates can waive the written and riding portions of the Illinois motorcycle license exam that’s administered by the Illinois Secretary of State’s office.

After a break in having classes offered in all parts of the state due to an unexpected change in vendors teaching the courses, the program is starting to get back to full speed once again.

“The Cycle Rider Safety Training Program teaches riders the skills necessary to operate a motorcycle safely and confidently”, said Stephane B. Seck-Birhame, Bureau Chief of Safety Programs and Engineering. “Having a proper course for riding is the best option to be a professional rider. At IDOT, we are committed to safety for all road users. Reducing motorcycle crashes is an integral part of our strategy in getting to zero fatalities in Illinois.”

There are three levels of classes:

• The Basic Safety Course is the most popular offering. The 20-hour, three-day course is geared toward novice riders and teaches various street-riding skills and strategies.
• The Basic Safety Course 2 is a 10-hour, two-day course that builds upon skills learned in the first course, such as stopping, shifting and clutch control.
• The Advanced Rider Course focuses on self-assessment, risk management, rider behavior, riding strategies and overall skill development, particularly in braking, cornering and swerving in the one-day class.

Training motorcycles and helmets are provided in the basic courses. All students must be licensed drivers and wear long pants (jeans are perfect), a long-sleeved shirt or jacket and gloves, as well as eye protection such as eyeglasses or sunglasses. The classes are funded by motorcycle registration, with students paying a refundable $20 for each course. However, according to Seck-Birhame, most riders choose to give back their course fee to pay it forward and help cover the costs for future riders.

The Cycle Rider Safety Training Program was established in 1976. Most recently, IDOT partnered with SIU to cover Region C in the southern part of the state. Harper College in Palatine and Illinois Central College in East Peoria administered the program in the central and northern parts of the state, also known as Regions A and B, respectively.

While the program has run uninterrupted at SIU, Harper College and Illinois Central College, unfortunately ended their contract with IDOT, leading to a layoff in classes offered in the northern and central regions while IDOT searched for a new provider.

Stepping forward is SIU, which has been a pioneer in motorcycle education not only in Illinois, but in the nation, having established its own training program nearly 60 years ago. That makes SIU an ideal partner to administer the program statewide, Seck-Birhame said.

“These were tough losses because both schools did exceedingly well at administering training for the program in central and northern Illinois. However, outside variables made it difficult for these community colleges to sustain the program,” he said. “We are pleased that classes are starting in the central region. We are also working diligently to resume classes in the northern region to meet that community’s needs.”

To that end, SIU has opened registrations on a limited basis in some locations in northern Illinois, with the first set of classes set this weekend at Joliet Junior College. Classes are available for registration in Decatur and East Moline this month, with a goal of having courses once again available in all regions of the state by next spring.

“Started more than 55 years ago, SIU’s motorcycle training program has become a model nationally and internationally,” said Jared Borrenpohl, the program’s director and coordinator “We are fortunate to have great instructors as we work with IDOT to expand throughout Illinois while remaining dedicated to the vision to provide quality motorcycle training that promotes and reinforces safe and responsible riding.”

Because of the limited number of openings initially, registration backlogs are expected and patience is urged as the program gets ramped up across the rest of the state.

For more information on the program, visit the overview page, where there is a list of frequently asked questions, or SIU’s Motorcycle Rider Program page.

“We have a proud history at IDOT at offering motorcycle training. Working with our safety partners and friends in the motorcycling community, we really have been at the forefront of providing this kind of training,” said Seck-Birhame. “We are thrilled to be offering classes once again statewide and can’t wait to get started.”