Pa.'s New 3 WBRC

Riders in every state would like to believe that their state motorcycle safety program is reasonable, fair, unbiased, and working toward the goal of reducing morbid and fatal crashes.

However, we've been bamboozled by the motorcycle industry, who have managed to become very intrenched in what the states offer, how they teach it, and how to get riders licensed ASAP. In some states, the MSF actually runs the state's motorcycle safety program, under contract to the state. PA is one such state. It's very clear that the MSF is in business to get more motorcyclists trained, licensed, and buying bikes. They are not in the business of training or licensing people to operate motorcycles not manufactured by the industry.

So, it should be no surprise at all that there is no legitimate way a sidecarist can get trained or licensed in PA, even though PA state law defines motorcycle as "...designed to travel on not more than three wheels in contact with the ground."

It's not possible to get numbers of three wheeled motorcycles in any state, because sidecars aren't registered. It's the same "bike" with or without a sidecar attached. And in most states there is no easy way to determine which "motorcycles" are bikes and which are trikes.

I specifically queried David Surgenor, the PA motorcycle safety administrator, about the issue. He wasn't very informative. He did iterate that PA does not recognize the S/TEP, nor does PA recognize or use S/TEP certified instructors. PA is going to offer the 3WBRC as a "pilot" program at a select number of training sites. However, unlike the S/TEP offered in other states, or the BRC offered in PA, training motorcycles will not be provided, although Spyders will be used for exercise demonstrations.

Surgenor's email address is david_msf@pamsp.com.

pmdave

One thing I did learn from the round of emails between my self and the PaMSP State Coordinator..that the new Pa 3-wheeled BRC course is funded by a grant written by either the State, PaMSP or MSF..no further details could be disseminated from my many inquiries...

Doesn't the process of a grant take into the account of a competitive bid process..I've been out of the loop to long to know...as this new course is a Pilot course for Pa.

A grant is just money contributed to a specific program, usually with few strings attached. In the case of the 3WBRC, it doesn't make any difference, since it's not costing much to try a few courses. They aren't providing student training trikes.

A bid is where competing commercial interests offer to do something for a specified amount of money. Usually the low bidder gets the contract. Of course, it's a lot easier to win a bid if you're both program management and bidder.

In PA the MSF is going to do it their way, and their way most definitely doesn't include sidecar outfits--short of a lawsuit, or some big name motorcycle company building sidecar outfits, to join the MSF. I don't see either of these on the horizon.

What's a bit scary is that the MSF is moving toward administering more state programs. Over the years many sidecarists have been keeping quiet, hoping they can continue to "fly under the radar." IOW, "you're right--there is no such thing as a sidecar. Next subject."

pmdave

I wonder how MSF would address this..?

http://wasp-motorcycles.tripod.com/id5.html

I've never heard the MSF say they are categorically opposed to vehicles designed for those with physical disabilities. They simply continue to offer courses that are intended for able-bodied people, and never admit that their basic course is for those who can ride bikes. The idea that the motorcycle industry would be sympathetic to disabled people is naive.

Behind the scenes, note that the MSF, MIC, and SVIA operate in the same offices, under command of the same president. So, it's a piece of cake for the MSF president to turn his hat around to "MIC" and ensure that sidecar outfits don't exist. The MIC collects data on motorcycle sales, use, and operator demographics. In their year end reports, there simply aren't categories for motorcycle/sidecar combinations, so in data forwarded to the feds, sidecars are nonexistant. Since the feds (NHTSA, FARS, etc.) don't get anly data from the motorcycle industry, they don't provide statistics on three-wheeler crashes or fatalities. In other countries (such as England) where the data is collected in a more objective manner, sidecar combos have a lower crash involvement than PTWs.

Trikes in the USA may be treated slightly better, now that BRP is building and marketing the Spyder. BRP is helping support the MSF, so they can now "urge" the MSF to develop trike training, and urge the MIC to start counting Spyders. That might lead to the inclusion of other trikes such as Hannigan, Lehman, etc. that are similar in form and function to the Spyder. The aftermarket trike and sidecar builders are all too small to be able to afford MIC membership or MSF financial support. Hey, it's a business.

pmdave

Clay said:

AMA response...

"Thank you for using the "contact us" feature at www.americanmotorcyclist.com
to communicate with us about the PA MSF program and the lack of accommodation for
motorcycles with a sidecar. While it does show progress for a 3 wheeled program to be
introduced, it is disappointing to not have a sidecar option. I have forwarded your
inquiry to Imre Szauter, AMA Government Affairs Manager for On-Road Issues for his
consideration. Mr. Szauter is very active in promoting rider education and was at one
time an MSF Basic Rider Training instructor himself."

The door is now open to direct your comments to the AMA concerning the new 3-Wheeled BRC..however..like ABATE of Pa. this individual also has a relationship as an MSF instructor(coach) and maybe blinded by that fact..

Click to expand...

Follow-up..well there is no follow-up..no word from the AMA nor MCN concerning the issue... FYI..my wife has just recently passed her Pa.MSP (MSF) motorcycle course however she was quickly denied any allowance of practice time with her sidecar immediately following the course...

pmdave said:

The aftermarket trike and sidecar builders are all too small to be able to afford MIC membership or MSF financial support. Hey, it's a business.

pmdave

Click to expand...

What with HD getting out of side cars ain't much help either to the 'casual observer'.