In Oregon the 2006 fatality rate for motorcycle wrecks is 3.9 deaths for every 10,000 registered bikes, slightly more than half the nationwide rate of 7.3 deaths per 10,000 registrations.  Brian Stovall, executive director of BikePAC of Oregon attributes the training that is required for motorcycle riders in Oregon.

In Oregon all riders who are younger that 21 years and want to ride a motorcycle are required to complete Team Oregon training which is an intensive motorcycle riding program that gives riders the skills they need to avoid accidents. This is what I have maintained for years.  There needs to be a better solution than just requiring all riders to wear helmets.

There has been a recent push by the NHTSA to lobby state governments for the implementation of a universal helmet requirement.  It is my belief that there needs to be a multiple prong approach to the soaring rate of motorcycle injury and fatalities.  This multi-prong approach should include:

• Stringent testing (written and practical) for all riders getting a new motorcycle license.
• The penalties for driving a motorcycle without a license should be more stringent.
• All persons riding a bike for the first time need to pass the above testing.
• The testing needs to be mandatory.

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