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Please note that some documents in the library are available in PDF read-only formats. Copyrighted materials may not be reprinted without permission. If you have any questions regarding the use of MSF Library materials, please contact us at library@msf-usa.org.

RiderCourse Materials

The MSF Basic RiderCourse Rider Handbooks are now available for purchase from the Amazon Kindle store, and are viewable on almost any computer, tablet, or mobile phone. Available in English, Spanish, and Korean.
The MSF Basic RiderCourse Rider Handbooks are now available for purchase from the Amazon Kindle store, and are viewable on almost any computer, tablet, or mobile phone.

Safety Publications

Safety Booklets may be downloaded and one printed copy of each booklet is permitted per user.

Riding a motorcycle properly is a skill you can learn. It’s not something you are born with, like having red hair or blue eyes. It takes thinking and practice to ride one well. Unfortunately, many riders never learn the critical skills to ride safely and enjoy the sport to its fullest.
The Motorcycle Safety Foundation Motorcycle Operator Manual contains tips and strategies to help riders manage risk. The manual was written for novices and designed for use in licensing programs, but there’s great information for all two- and three-wheel motorcycle riders. Topics covered include motorcycle controls, developing effective street strategies, group riding, riding with a passenger, and more.
The information contained in this publication is offered for the benefit of those who have an interest in and ride off-highway motorcycles. The information has been compiled from publications, interviews and observations of individuals and organizations familiar with the use of off-highway motorcycles.
Congratulations! You have gained admission to the wonderful world of motorcycling. You are going to have a marvelous time. You also have some new responsibilities, which is what this little booklet is all about.
Safe riding depends on selecting the right tires, inspecting and maintaining them, and replacing them as necessary.
The way to ensure trouble-free riding – whether novice or experienced – is to learn to operate your scooter more skillfully and safely. Your enjoyment and your safety depend on mastering not only the skill of riding a scooter, but also on the mental strategies related to sharing the road.
Riding Off-Highway Motorcycles (OHMs) can be an enjoyable form of outdoor recreation when done properly. With preparation, practice, and parental supervision your youngster can safely develop and expand his or her riding skills. Remember, off-highway motorcycles are not toys.

Reference Materials

This chart provides information about rider education programs in states which have legislated programs.
The complete system for positive student outcomes
State on-highway motorcycle equipment requirements.
Motorcycle safety foundation rider education and training system.
This Cycle Safety Information chart summarizes state motorcyclist licensing procedures.
Tips for Designing, Constructing, and Maintaining Roadways for Increased Motorcycle Safety

Posters

The more you know, the better it gets.
Motorcycle Safety Foundation’s Seriously Safe Top Ten List

Test Your Knowledge

Rider Perception Challenge (coming soon)

Test your visual perception skills with the Road Sign Test and the Collision Traps Test. In both tests, an image is flashed for a split second followed by a multiple-choice question about the image. The tests not only help you identify common road signs and typical traffic collision traps, but also demonstrate how quickly your eyes and mind can work together.

Test Your Motorcycling Knowledge

Test yourself with this 48-question quiz on the basics of motorcycling. These questions were drawn from the Basic RiderCourse classroom session and handbook.

Seeing is Believing (Optical Illusions)

Safe riding is a skill of the eyes and mind as much as it is a skill of the hands and feet. It’s important that riders have well-developed perceptive skills. Having good perception means to “see and understand accurately.” Our eyes see but our mind interprets, and sometimes we can be fooled into perceiving something that’s not there or missing something that is; and that can be disastrous when evaluating risk factors in traffic. The MSF RiderCourse uses the strategy of Search, Evaluate, Execute (S.E.E.) to describe the decision-making process that should be used while riding. Our eyes do the searching and our brain does the evaluating. But do we perceive accurately?

Take a look at these visual workouts to discover how our eyes can sometimes trick us… Click to view.

Spinning Illusion
Spinning Illusion
Dots Illusion
Dots Illusion
Spiral Illusion
Spiral Illusion
Spinning Illusion
Spinning Illusion
Motion Induced Blindness
Motion Induced
Blindness

Presentations/White Papers - Miscellaneous

Paper
May 30-June 2, 2010
Presented to NHTSA
May 23, 2005

Presentations/White Papers - IMSC

IMSC-2013
Paper | Slides
Session 1
October 16, 2013
IMSC-2013
Paper | Slides
Session 1
October 16, 2013
IMSC-2013
Paper | Slides
Session 1
October 16, 2013
IMSC-2013
Paper | Slides
Session 1
October 16, 2013
IMSC-2013
Paper | Slides
Session 1
October 16, 2013
IMSC-2013
Paper | Slides
Session 2
October 16, 2013
IMSC-2013
Paper | Slides
Session 2
October 16, 2013
IMSC-2013
Paper | Slides
Session 1
October 17, 2013
IMSC-2013
Paper | Slides
Session 1
October 17, 2013
IMSC-2013
Paper | Slides
Session 2
October 17, 2013
IMSC-2013
Paper | Slides
Session 2
October 17, 2013
General Documents
Crash Causation
Rider Characteristics
Braking & Posture
Braking & Conspicuity
Rider Responses
Government & Other Strategic Initiatives
Community Rider Interaction
Licensing
Operational Aspects & Continual Improvement of Rider Training Programs
Protective Gear
Focus On Alcohol
Poster Presentations