Year after year, motorcycles have a higher rate of fatal accidents than automobiles or trucks and buses. Because rider judgment and skill are critical in avoiding motorcycle accidents and fatalities, the Team Oregon Motorcycle Safety Program (Team Oregon) continues to train over 8000 Oregon cyclists a year in safe riding procedures.
Team Oregon Partners with ODOT and Oregon State University
Team Oregon is a motorcycle safety partnership between the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) and Oregon State University, founded by its current director Steve Garets, and funded by ODOT through motorcycle license fees and its $179 student tuition. Approximately 70% of Oregon’s riders receive training through Team Oregon, and since Oregon implemented the program in 1984, motorcycle fatalities have been reduced by 50%.
Rider Training Mandatory in Oregon
As of January 2013, Oregon law requires any new motorcycle endorsement (license) applicant under age 51 to successfully complete a Team Oregon BRT (Basic Rider Training) or IRT (Intermediate Rider Training) class.
Basic Rider Training (BRT) is a 15-hour course for novice riders. The course takes place over three days and provides seven hours of classroom instruction and eight hours of range (on-cycle) instruction. For individuals with no riding experience, BRT is the recommended course. It is required by law for new riders under 21.
Intermediate Rider Training (IRT) is a full-day training program for students 21 and over who are familiar with a motorcycle, but who need more practice, evaluation, and guidance to become comfortable and safe on the road. It consists of four hours of classroom instruction, and four hours of range (on-cycle) instruction.
Advanced Rider Training (ART) is aimed at riders who have at least 12,000 miles of on-street riding experience. It consists of a two-hour classroom session and 4-5 hours of on-track education.
Rider Skills Practice (RSP) is a half-day (5 hours) of exercises on the range to tune up rider skills. It is recommended that a student have 3000 miles of recent on-road motorcycle experience.
Team Oregon Receives National Recognition
Team Oregon was recognized as the “best in the nation” for program administration, rider education, and licensing in a 2004 American Institutes for Research study sponsored by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Hit by a car while cycling in Portland? Contact a bicycle accident lawyer in Portland from Rizk Law. We have extensive experience handling damages claims and only get paid when we obtain a recovery on your behalf. For a free consultation with a lawyer at our firm, call 503.245.5677.
