SMARTER News Releases
Skilled Motorcyclist Association Chronology of News Releases and News Items
RiderCoach/Instructor Lifecycle Model: Underpinnings for Success
This is a PDF of the PowerPoint presentation by SMARTER board members Donald Green, Ed.D. at the State Motorcycle Safety Association National Training Summit, Denver CO, September 2024. The model shares how individuals can become more productive, engaged, and have higher performance in any job, at every level. Go further in careers, generate more revenue for the organization, be more effective, be seen as trustworthy, feel more satisfied with your job and committed to your work
Putting Helmets on Heads
This is a PDF of the PowerPoint presentation by SMARTER board members DeAnna Ward, Justin McDonald and Xu Simon, Ph.D. at the State Motorcycle Safety Association National Training Summit, Denver CO, September 2024. This presentation provides research and fact-based overview of helmet history, types, testing and standards, injury types, economics and cultural considerations.
Countermeasures That Work: Proven Interventions That Improve Motorcyclist Safety.
This is a PDF of the PowerPoint by SMARTER Vice-Chair, Xu Simon, Ph.D. at the State Motorcycle Safety Association National Training Summit, Denver CO, September 2024. This presentation addresses the issues around helping motorcyclist safety advocates meet the objective of using data-driven decision making to prioritize high impact countermeasures so that they can make the best use of their budgets.
Oklahoma RiderCoach Education Conference
SMARTER representative a featured presenter at the Oklahoma RiderCoach Education Conference held at the Chickasaw Bricktown Ball Park
SMARTER presents workshop Looking Twice Isn’t Enough: a look at the root causes of motorcyclist crashes
SMARTER presents workshop Looking Twice Isn’t Enough: a look at the root causes of motorcyclist crashes at the 2024 Michigan Traffic Safety Summit held March 12 & 13. This is an edited version of the presentation slides of DeAnna Ward, SMARTER treasurer, RiderCoach Trainer and Co-Chairman of the Michigan Motorcyclist Safety Action Team.
SMARTER Presents Workshop on Inattentional Blindness at 2023 SMSA National Training Summit.
SMARTER President Dan Petterson, Ed.D. presented a workshop session titled Inattentional Blindness: what drivers can do to avoid the Looked But Failed to See crash with motorcyclists at the national conference of the State Motorcycle Safety Association held in Columbus, OH September 13-16. Blocked vision, inattentional blindness, saccadic masking, motion camouflage and size-arrival effect all come into play when drivers search for hazards at intersections. Understanding of these phenomena underlie the “what can drivers do?" question. A video produced by Michigan Department of State which presents an enhanced search procedure developed by SMARTER was a part of the presentation and can be accessed at https://www.michigan.gov/looktwice.
SMARTER Presents Workshop on Ride-along Factors at 2023 SMSA National Training Summit.
SMARTER Board Vice-Chairperson Xu Simon, Ph.D. and President Dan Petterson, Ed.D. co-presented a session titled Fatal Motorcyclist Crashes - A Look at Ride-along Factors at the national conference of the State Motorcycle Safety Association held in Columbus, OH September 13-16. A number of factors are regularly associated with fatal motorcyclists’ crashes. The term “ride-along” has been used to describe the factors frequently associated with fatal motorcyclist crashes. Do the ride-along factors contribute to causing the crash, contribute to the fatality, both or neither? This presentation addressed these questions.
SMARTER presents at Michigan 2023 Traffic Safety Summit
SMARTER presented a breakout workshop session titled Wind in my Hair - The Cost of Going Without a Motorcycle helmet. The session provided a look at the Michigan motorcyclist crash and fatality data for the ten-year period following the repeal of the Michigan all-rider motorcycle helmet requirement, the economic cost associated with the repeal and an overview of MI specific research conducted following the repeal. The cost of the “adult choice” requirement compared to an all-rider requirement for the years 2012 – 2022 equals over $2 billion and 200-300 lives.
SMARTER President presents workshop at National SMSA Training Summit
This is the PowerPoint presentation Dr. Petterson used during his workshop presentation September 16, 2022. Understanding the four chances for error and the associated visual phenomena is helpful in furthering our understanding of the Looked But Failed to See (LBFTS) Right-of-Way Violation (ROWV) motorcyclist/car collision scenario. Knowing these four chances for error, and the associated phenomena, is helpful in formulating recommended actions for both riders and drivers that will lessen the chances of these types of collisions occurring. Included in this presentation is a description of a SMARTER developed driver search system that is an effective alternative to the old “look left, look right, look left again” search procedure.
Preventing Motorcycle Rider Deaths
This is a "My View" article published in the Holland (Michigan) Sentinel.
Remembering and honoring Donald L. Smith, Ph.D.
This is a special edition of Riding Smart, the SMARTER member newsletter. Dr. Don Smith, Professor Emeritus Michigan State University died on November 8, 2021. He was 93-years-old. Don had a 50-year career of service to the Michigan highway traffic and motorcyclist safety communities. He was the driving force behind the creation and 2007 incorporation of the Skilled Motorcyclist Association - Responsible, Trained and Educated Riders, Inc.
SMARTER Receives Award
SMARTER is recognized by the Michigan Governor’s Traffic Safety Advisory Commission (GTSAC). SMARTER was presented the Richard H. Austin Award for long-term contributions and commitment to traffic safety at a virtual awards ceremony held May 27, 2021. President Petterson makes Award Acceptance Comments.
SMARTER Opposes Maryland SB 712 – Helmet Repeal
SMARTER submits written testimony in opposition to Maryland all-rider helmet repeal - Maryland Written Testimony
SMARTER Reaches Out to State Rider Education Coordinators
SMARTER sends the Jan.-Feb 2021 Riding Smart to all rider education state coordinators. This edition of our member newsletter contains a large section summarizing some of the major research topic areas. Read our Cover Letter.
SMARTER Opposes Nebraska LB 581 – Helmet Repeal
SMARTER partners with Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety in opposition to repeal of Nebraska all-rider helmet requirement LB 581
The Road Warrior – Rich Henrion, SMARTER Board Chairman
Norway, Michigan resident Rich Henrion is the runner up in the 2019 BMW Motorcycle Owners of America North America Mileage contest with 50,136 miles. He was national numero uno in 2018 with 45,680 miles and sixteenth in the nation and first in Michigan in 2017. All total he has logged more than 147,649 miles in the past four summers.
SMARTER presents at SMSA National Training Summit
This is a SMARTER PowerPoint presentation at the 2019 State Motorcycle Safety Administrators (SMSA) conference held September 12-14 in Grand Rapids, MI. The information presented in the workshop is counter-intuitive and challenges our common assumptions; however, the ideas are rooted in the available research. The belief that traditional rider training, motorist awareness communication campaigns and motorcycle license endorsements are effective measures to reduce crash risk is not supported by available research. Insights collected from the research regarding what changes to these traditional countermeasures might lead to effectiveness were shared.
Summary of Michigan Motorcyclist Crash Data 2009 – 2018
A PowerPoint presentation by SMARTER President Dan Petterson at the June 2019 meeting of the Michigan Motorcycle Safety Action Team based on Traffic Crash Reporting System, Criminal Justice Information Center, Motorcycle Helmet Traffic Crash Statistics. Data for date range of January 1 to December 31 for the years 2009-2018. Data provided on May 15, 2019.
Uneasy Riders
A digest of MLive's series on motorcycle crashes in Michigan and how the project was carried out. Included is a “daily debate” between Dan Petterson and Vince Consiglio. Consiglio is president of ABATE of Michigan, the main organization in the fight to lift Michigan's mandatory helmet law. Petterson is president of the pro-helmet group SMARTER, for Skilled Motorcyclist Association - Responsible, Trained and Educated Riders. Original posting Dec. 2012, updated April 3, 2019.
SMARTER presents at the 2019 Lifesavers Conference
This document is the handout prepared for participants who attend the Lifesavers National Conference on Highway Safety Priorities workshop titled Effective Solutions for Improving Motorcyclist Safety. Lifesavers is the premier U.S. highway safety conference with over 2,000 participants. SMARTER was requested by the motorcyclist safety conference planners to present at this prestigious event.
Henrion Wins Mileage Contest
SMARTER Board of Directors Chairman Rich Henrion has been announced as the 2018 BMW Motorcycle Owners of America National North American Mileage contest winner.
Looked But Failed to See Motorcyclist Right of Way Violation Caused Crashes
This is a PowerPoint presentation by SMARTER President Dan Petterson at the January 17, 2019 Michigan Motorcycle Safety Action Team, a subcommittee of the Michigan Governor’s Highway Traffic Safety Commission. Based on Petterson’s review of the research, the presentation looks at the extent of the LBFTS ROWV problem, identifies main causes indicated by the research, compares car vs motorcycle and car vs car crashes of this kind and suggests possible solutions based on the research. Five causes and five plus countermeasures are suggested.
Data shows increased fatality rate since helmet repeal
An edited version of this article was published in the March 27, 2018 Ludington Daily News. The article summarizes the Michigan Traffic Crash Reporting System data which shows an increase in the Michigan motorcyclist fatality rate post helmet law repeal and the increased risk non-helmeted riders take when they choose to ride without a helmet.
Motorcyclist Safety is Top Concern for Locally-based Organization
Interview with SMARTER’s CEO Dan Petterson
Estimate of Reduction in Deaths, Injuries, and Societal Costs in 2015 Michigan Motorcycle Crashes with Helmet Use
March 9, 2018 – A report completed by Lidia P. Kostyniuk, Ph.D, P.E., Research Scientist, Emerita with the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute calculating the reduction in monetary costs and deaths that would have been prevented in Michigan in 2015 if all riders involved in crashes would have worn a helmet.
Motorcycle Helmet Law Repeal Costs Lives and Millions of Dollars
March 9, 2018 – News article as published in the Ludington Daily News highlighting a recent report titled Estimate of Reduction in Deaths, Injuries, and Societal Costs in 2015 Michigan Motorcycle Crashes with Helmet Use which concludes “If helmets had been worn by all the crash-involved motorcyclists in 2015, monetary costs of motorcycle crashes would have been reduced by $28 million - $32 million, quality of life costs would have been reduced by $157 million - $169 million, and total societal costs would have been reduced by $185 - $201 million. Twenty-one deaths would have been prevented, and total societal costs of motorcycle crashes would have been lower by 10.5%-11.4%.”
The Tragic Consequences of Motorcycle Helmet Law Repeal: Five Michigan Specific Research Studies
A summary of five Michigan specific research reports which substantiate the negative consequences of repealing the Michigan all-rider helmet law. A version of this article was published as a guest in the Michigan Auto Law Blog.
Summary of Michigan Motorcyclist Crash Data
Summary of Michigan Motorcyclist Crash Data with a focus on the five year periods prior to and after the repeal of Michigan’s all-rider helmet law. A PowerPoint presentation prepared by SMARTER President Dan Petterson and presented at the June, 2017 meeting of the Michigan Lakeshore Traffic Safety committee. Also includes a summary of five research studies examining the repeal of the Michigan law.
The Price We Have Paid for a Small Freedom (to ride a motorcycle without a helmet).
The report provides Michigan motorcyclist crash data for 2016 and also for each year back to 2012, when Michigan representatives and senators voted and Governor Snyder supported the repeal of Michigan’s all-rider motorcycle helmet law. The data and the research studies support the readily available national and international research which shows helmets use works to reduce deaths and injuries in the event of a crash and when an all-rider helmet law is in effect almost every rider wears a helmet. A version of this article was published as a guest in the Michigan Auto Law Blog.
Statement of SMARTER President Dan Petterson.
A statement by Dan Petterson, an invitee to the January 22 press event sponsored by the Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety at the National Press Club, Washington, D.C., on the release of the 2014 Roadmap of State Highway Safety Laws, urging lawmakers to support essential lifesaving all-rider helmet laws.
Q&A: CDC, U.S. Congressman Tim Walberg, and the AMA.
A SMARTER-prepared document to provide the motorcycling community with complete information regarding Walberg’s questions
SMARTER’s Letter to CDC Director Frieden.
An advisory letter stating that responsible motorcyclists and the professionals involved in the fight to save lives and prevent or reduce the seriousness of injuries need all the help available.
One Year Post Repeal: Where Do We Go From Here?
A news release from which excerpted comments were made by SMARTER at the April 10, 2013, news conference held at the Michigan Capitol by leading members of the Head First Coalition.
Motorcyclist Organizations Differ Over Recent Government Agency Announcements.
A news release cautions motorcyclists to consider source and motive before using information to make potentially life-altering decisions about riding safety.
NTSB 2013 Most Wanted List: The truth regarding motorcyclist safety.
A news release explains why motorcyclist safety was not included in the 2013 top ten transportation challenges identified by the NTSB.
SMARTER Is in the News
Motorcycling in a Safe System: How do we get there?
This is a PDF of the PowerPoint by Eric Teoh, Director of Statistical Services with the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) in his presentation to the Michigan Motorcycle Safety Ac...
Read Full Story2024 – The Human Cost of Unhelmeted Motorcyclists – IIHS News Release
2024 IIHS News Release - The Human Cost of Unhelmeted Motorcyclists More than 20,000 motorcyclists who died in crashes in the U.S. since the mid-1970s would have survived if stronger helm...
Read Full StoryRiderCoach/Instructor Lifecycle Model: Underpinnings for Success
This is a PDF of the PowerPoint presentation by SMARTER board members Donald Green, Ed.D. at the State Motorcycle Safety Association National Training Summit, Denver CO, September 2024. The ...
Read Full StoryPutting Helmets on Heads
This is a PDF of the PowerPoint presentation by SMARTER board members DeAnna Ward, Justin McDonald and Xu Simon, Ph.D. at the State Motorcycle Safety Association National Training Summit, De...
Read Full StoryCountermeasures That Work: Proven Interventions That Improve Motorcyclist Safety.
This is a PDF of the PowerPoint by SMARTER Vice-Chair, Xu Simon, Ph.D. at the State Motorcycle Safety Association National Training Summit, Denver CO, September 2024. This presentation addre...
Read Full StoryAugust 1, 2024 MSF eNews: Christy LaCurelle Selected as President and Chief Executive Officer of MIC, MSF, SVIA, and ROHVA.
The independent boards of the Motorcycle Industry Council, Motorcycle Safety Foundation, Specialty Vehicle Institute of America, and the Recreat...
Read Full StoryOklahoma RiderCoach Education Conference
SMARTER representative a featured presenter at the Oklahoma RiderCoach Education Conference held at the Chickasaw Bricktown Ball Park ...
Read Full StoryFew Small SUV’s Excel in New IIHS Front Crash Prevention Test
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety is updating its vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention test to address crashes that occur at higher speeds and those in which the struck vehicle...
Read Full StorySMARTER presents workshop Looking Twice Isn’t Enough: a look at the root causes of motorcyclist crashes
SMARTER presents workshop Looking Twice Isn’t Enough: a look at the root causes of motorcyclist crashes at the 2024 Michigan Traffic Safety Summit held March 12 & 13. This is an edited...
Read Full StoryIllinois in the Middle of the Road Nationally on Traffic Safety This is a December 5, 2023 article in the Chicago Sun Times in response to the “middle of the road” rating the state rece...
Read Full StoryIt’s Past Time to Require ABS on All Motorcycles
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI) have filed a second petition with federal regulators for a mandate for antilock braking systems (ABS)...
Read Full StorySMARTER Presents Workshop on Inattentional Blindness at 2023 SMSA National Training Summit.
SMARTER President Dan Petterson, Ed.D. presented a workshop session titled Inattentional Blindness: what drivers can do to avoid the Looked But Failed to See crash with motorcyclists at th...
Read Full StorySMARTER Presents Workshop on Ride-along Factors at 2023 SMSA National Training Summit.
SMARTER Board Vice-Chairperson Xu Simon, Ph.D. and President Dan Petterson, Ed.D. co-presented a session titled Fatal Motorcyclist Crashes - A Look at Ride-along Factors at the national conf...
Read Full StoryBanned! Texas Lane Splitting Is Now Officially Illegal.
Article by Justin Hughes published online in Adventure Rider. Formerly a gray area, HB 4122 explicitly prohibits it. ...
Read Full StorySimple steps could reduce motorcyclist deaths – if only we’d take them.
Article by Eric Teoh, Director of Statistical Services, IIHS. August 24, 2023...
Read Full StorySMARTER presents at Michigan 2023 Traffic Safety Summit
SMARTER presented a breakout workshop session titled Wind in my Hair - The Cost of Going Without a Motorcycle helmet. The session provided a look at the Michigan motorcyclist crash and fatal...
Read Full StorySMARTER President presents workshop at National SMSA Training Summit
This is the PowerPoint presentation Dr. Petterson used during his workshop presentation September 16, 2022. Understanding the four chances for error and the associated visual phenomena is he...
Read Full StoryPreventing Motorcycle Rider Deaths
This is a "My View" article published in the Holland (Michigan) Sentinel....
Read Full StoryMotorcyclists are hospitalized or dying on a daily basis: What is Michigan doing wrong?
A news report from the Holland (Michigan) Sentinel. SMARTER CEO Dan Petterson quoted and SMARTER developed crash and fatality data and charts used as a resource....
Read Full StoryReminders from the Michigan State Police to Help Prevent Motorcycle Deaths
A report on Northern Michigan TV 9 & 10 where SMARTER was cited as the source for the data....
Read Full StoryRemembering and honoring Donald L. Smith, Ph.D.
This is a special edition of Riding Smart, the SMARTER member newsletter. Dr. Don Smith, Professor Emeritus Michigan State University died on November 8, 2021. He was 93-years-old. Don had a...
Read Full StorySMARTER Receives Award
SMARTER is recognized by the Michigan Governor’s Traffic Safety Advisory Commission (GTSAC). SMARTER was presented the Richard H. Austin Award for long-term contributions and commitmen...
Read Full StorySMARTER Opposes Maryland SB 712 – Helmet Repeal
SMARTER submits written testimony in opposition to Maryland all-rider helmet repeal - Maryland Written Testimony ...
Read Full StorySMARTER Reaches Out to State Rider Education Coordinators
SMARTER sends the Jan.-Feb 2021 Riding Smart to all rider education state coordinators. This edition of our member newsletter contains a large section summarizing some of the major rese...
Read Full StorySMARTER Opposes Nebraska LB 581 – Helmet Repeal
SMARTER partners with Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety in opposition to repeal of Nebraska all-rider helmet requirement LB 581 ...
Read Full StoryCollision Between Pickup Truck with Trailer and Group of Motorcycles, Randolph, New Hampshire, June 21, 2019.
This is a synopsis from the NTSB’s report and does not include the Board’s rationale for the conclusions, probable cause, and safety recommendations. The final report and pertinent safet...
Read Full StoryOnline Cornering Course Gets Boost in Motorcycling World
News release from Cornering Confidence announcing collaboration with BMW MOA....
Read Full StoryThe Road Warrior – Rich Henrion, SMARTER Board Chairman
Norway, Michigan resident Rich Henrion is the runner up in the 2019 BMW Motorcycle Owners of America North America Mileage contest with 50,136 miles. He was national numero uno in 2018 wit...
Read Full Story2017 Countermeasures That Work – Ch. # 5, Motorcyclist Safety
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Easy to read summaries of the research related to nine strategies in four categories. Each strategy is rated on effectiveness, cost, use a...
Read Full Story2017 Countermeasures That Work – Ch. # 5, Motorcyclist Safety
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Easy to read summaries of the research related to nine strategies in four categories. Each strategy is rated on effectiveness, cost, use and...
Read Full StorySMARTER presents at SMSA National Training Summit
This is a SMARTER PowerPoint presentation at the 2019 State Motorcycle Safety Administrators (SMSA) conference held September 12-14 in Grand Rapids, MI. The information presented in the work...
Read Full StorySummary of Michigan Motorcyclist Crash Data 2009 – 2018
A PowerPoint presentation by SMARTER President Dan Petterson at the June 2019 meeting of the Michigan Motorcycle Safety Action Team based on Traffic Crash Reporting System, Criminal Justice ...
Read Full StoryUneasy Riders
A digest of MLive's series on motorcycle crashes in Michigan and how the project was carried out. Included is a “daily debate” between Dan Petterson and Vince Consiglio. Consiglio is...
Read Full StorySMARTER presents at the 2019 Lifesavers Conference
This document is the handout prepared for participants who attend the Lifesavers National Conference on Highway Safety Priorities workshop titled Effective Solutions for Improving Motorcycli...
Read Full StoryHenrion Wins Mileage Contest
SMARTER Board of Directors Chairman Rich Henrion has been announced as the 2018 BMW Motorcycle Owners of America National North American Mileage contest winner....
Read Full StoryNTSB Issues 2019-2020 Most Wanted List of Transportation Safety Improvements
The National Transportation Safety Board announced its 2019 – 2020 Most Wanted List of Transportation Safety Improvements, during an event held at the National Press Club, Monday. First is...
Read Full StoryArizona Motorcyclists Must Wear a Helmet or Pay Fee Not to
HB 2246, or the working title “motorcycle riders; helmets; fees” bill, proposes all motorcyclists and passengers operating an “all-terrain vehicle or motor driven cycle” must wear a ...
Read Full StoryLooked But Failed to See Motorcyclist Right of Way Violation Caused Crashes
This is a PowerPoint presentation by SMARTER President Dan Petterson at the January 17, 2019 Michigan Motorcycle Safety Action Team, a subcommittee of the Michigan Governor’s Highway Traff...
Read Full StoryNTSB Motorcycle Safety Report
October 2, 2018. The National Transportation Safety Board on October 2, 2018, released a Safety Study, Select Risk Factors Associated with Causes of Motorcycle Crashes. The report analyzed s...
Read Full Story2018 – Lives and Costs Saved by Motorcycle Helmets in 2016
This is a Traffic Safety Facts Research Note released in May 2018 based on crash data from 2016. In 2016 the use of motorcycle helmets saved an estimated 1,859 lives – if all riders had ...
Read Full StoryMotorcycle Helmet Use in 2017 – Overall Results
This is a Traffic Safety Facts Research Note released in April 2018 that shows that the use of DOT compliant motorcycle helmets was not statistically different in 2017 from 2016 and remains ...
Read Full Story2018 – Lives and Costs Saved by Motorcycle Helmets in 2016
This is a Traffic Safety Facts Research Note released in May 2018 based on crash data from 2016. In 2016 the use of motorcycle helmets saved an estimated 1,859 lives – if all riders had ...
Read Full StoryMotorcyclist Traffic Fatalities by State: 2017 Preliminary Data
A report from the Governors Highway Safety Association. The report projects that 4,990 people were killed on motorcycles in 2017. This number, based on preliminary data provided by State H...
Read Full StoryNew Data Finds Motorcyclist Fatalities Down 5.6% in 2017
A May 2, 2018 news release from the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) announcing the 2017 Preliminary Data Report. While fatalities are down, motorcyclists remain over-represente...
Read Full StoryData shows increased fatality rate since helmet repeal
An edited version of this article was published in the March 27, 2018 Ludington Daily News. The article summarizes the Michigan Traffic Crash Reporting System data which shows an increase in...
Read Full StoryMotorcyclist Safety is Top Concern for Locally-based Organization
Interview with SMARTER’s CEO Dan Petterson ...
Read Full Story2018 – “Motorcycle Helmets and Cervical Spine Injuries: a 5-year Experience at a Level 1 Trauma Center.
In this study, the authors investigate the association of helmet use with the incidence and severity of cervical spine injury. The results of this study demonstrate that motorcycle helme...
Read Full StoryWhy drivers may fail to see motorcycles in plain sight
January 5, 2018 - Link to an article in ScienceDaily describing a research report which examines how the phenomenon of inattentional blindness, or a person's failure to notice an unexpected ...
Read Full StoryHelmet use associated with reduced risk of cervical spine injury during motorcycle crashes
March 6, 2018 – Link to an article describing research from the University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics in Madison which found that, during an accident, helmet use lowers the likelih...
Read Full StoryEstimate of Reduction in Deaths, Injuries, and Societal Costs in 2015 Michigan Motorcycle Crashes with Helmet Use
March 9, 2018 – A report completed by Lidia P. Kostyniuk, Ph.D, P.E., Research Scientist, Emerita with the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute calculating the reductio...
Read Full StoryMotorcycle Helmet Law Repeal Costs Lives and Millions of Dollars
March 9, 2018 – News article as published in the Ludington Daily News highlighting a recent report titled Estimate of Reduction in Deaths, Injuries, and Societal Costs in 2015 Michigan M...
Read Full StoryWhat is the Motorcycle Advisory Council and how will it affect us?
December 20, 2017 – Link to a RevZilla Common Thread article by Mark Gardiner. An excellent review of the first meeting of the Motorcycle Advisory Council and general motorcyclist safety...
Read Full StoryNo easy ride: Motorcycle industry is in deep trouble and needs help fast, panel agrees
December 14, 2017 - Link to a Los Angeles Times article. A group of two dozen concerned motorcycle veterans has published a comprehensive research document that addresses the question, “...
Read Full StoryGive a Shift – Roundtable Discussion.
December 5, 2017 - This is the full report of the Give a Shift (GAS) discussion, an anonymous & public discourse on the future of motorcycling (see the December 14, 2017 LA Times news ar...
Read Full Story2015 – “Can a Boxer Engine Reduce Leg Injuries Among Motorcyclists? Analysis of Injury Distributions in Crashes Involving Different Motorcycles Fitted with Antilock”
The overall motorcycle design can vary across different categories and manufacturers. For instance, some motorcycles are equipped with boxer-twin engines; that is, with protruding cylinder h...
Read Full StoryThe Tragic Consequences of Motorcycle Helmet Law Repeal: Five Michigan Specific Research Studies
A summary of five Michigan specific research reports which substantiate the negative consequences of repealing the Michigan all-rider helmet law. A version of this article was published as...
Read Full StorySummary of Michigan Motorcyclist Crash Data
Summary of Michigan Motorcyclist Crash Data with a focus on the five year periods prior to and after the repeal of Michigan’s all-rider helmet law. A PowerPoint presentation prepared b...
Read Full StoryPro-helmet activists are notching wins against motorcyclists shouting ‘freedom’.
Link to an article in STAT, a national publication focused on finding and telling compelling stories about health, medicine, and scientific discovery. For two decades, the riders — and the...
Read Full StoryThe Price We Have Paid for a Small Freedom (to ride a motorcycle without a helmet).
The report provides Michigan motorcyclist crash data for 2016 and also for each year back to 2012, when Michigan representatives and senators voted and Governor Snyder supported the repeal o...
Read Full StoryDoes the Senate really need a Motorcycle Caucus?
Link to an editorial by The Des Moines Register. A caucus is simply a group of senators or representatives who meet occasionally, usually to pursue common legislative objectives. Some are id...
Read Full StorySenators Announce Formation of Motorcycle Caucus.
Link to a news release announcement from U.S. Senators Joni Ernst (R-IA) and Gary Peters (D-MI) regarding he formation of the first-ever Motorcycle Caucus in the United States Senate....
Read Full StoryStatement of SMARTER President Dan Petterson.
A statement by Dan Petterson, an invitee to the January 22 press event sponsored by the Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety at the National Press Club, Washington, D.C., on the release of ...
Read Full StoryQ&A: CDC, U.S. Congressman Tim Walberg, and the AMA.
A SMARTER-prepared document to provide the motorcycling community with complete information regarding Walberg’s questions...
Read Full StorySMARTER’s Letter to CDC Director Frieden.
An advisory letter stating that responsible motorcyclists and the professionals involved in the fight to save lives and prevent or reduce the seriousness of injuries need all the help availa...
Read Full StoryCommunity Preventive Services Task Force Recommendations.
The finding and rationale statement of an independent, nonfederal, unpaid panel of public health and prevention experts appointed by the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Preve...
Read Full StoryOne Year Post Repeal: Where Do We Go From Here?
A news release from which excerpted comments were made by SMARTER at the April 10, 2013, news conference held at the Michigan Capitol by leading members of the Head First Coalition....
Read Full StoryMotorcyclist Organizations Differ Over Recent Government Agency Announcements.
A news release cautions motorcyclists to consider source and motive before using information to make potentially life-altering decisions about riding safety....
Read Full StoryNTSB 2013 Most Wanted List: The truth regarding motorcyclist safety.
A news release explains why motorcyclist safety was not included in the 2013 top ten transportation challenges identified by the NTSB....
Read Full Story