Motorcycle Safety

AMSAC Board Members
AMSAC Board Members: Bob Heflin,
Dan Coffey, Dan McCrummen, Cris Rogers, Joanne Olsen, DOT&PF Commissioner Marc Luiken, Craig Breshears, Boyd McFail,
Chuck Mitchell, Barry Matteson.
Photo by Cindy Cashen, Alaska DOT&PF.		 Custom Motorcycle
Alaska Motorcycle Dealers Association, 2007 Annual Custom Cycle Show. Photo by Cindy Cashen, Alaska DOT&PF. 		Commissioner Marc Luinen with Alaska's Ms. Harley-Davidson
AK DOT&PF Commissioner Marc Luiken
with Alaska's Ms. Harley-Davidson at the 2011 Alaska Motorcycle Dealer Association's Annual Bike Show. Photo by Dan McCrummen.

 

AMSAC

Alaska Motorcycle Safety Advisory Committee

Board Members

    Chair: Dan McCrummen – Juneau
    Vice-Chair: Dan Coffey – Eagle River
    Media Chair: Craig Breshears – Anchorage
  Boyd McFail – Anchorage
Chuck Mitchell – Fairbanks
 Cris Rogers – Anchorage
Barry Matteson – Anchorage

Agency Representatives
     DMV: Joanne Olsen – Fairbanks
     AK State Troopers: Captain Hans Brinke – Anchorage
     AHSO: Joyce Vick – Juneau

 

2009 AMSAC Alaska Motorcycle Safety Plan pdf icon (78 KB)

2009 AMSAC Motorcycle Enthusiast Survey Results and Analysis pdf icon (1 MB)

 

Meetings

NEXT MEETING ON: February 12, 2012, 1:00 - 4:00pm Anchorage House of Harley

Agency stakeholders include:

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Motorcycles in Alaska

Alaska, like other states in the nation, is experiencing an increase in the number of crashes involving motorcycles and subsequently an increase in motorcycle fatalities. The number of national motorcycle fatalities last year is more than double that of a decade ago. National motorcycle rider fatalities have increased each year from 2,294 in 1998, to 5,290 in 2008. National motorcycle fatalities in 2008 accounted for 14.2% of all National motor vehicle crash fatalities. Alaska reflects the national rate with 8 motorcycle fatalities of the 62 motor vehicle fatalities in 2008 (12.9%). More Alaskans have turned to adventurous hobbies as shown by our DMV database. There were 57% more motorcycle registrations in 2008 than were registered in 2000 (27,987 compared to 16,084).

Apart from the increase in ridership, conditions in Alaska may make motorcycle use even more dangerous than in other states.  First, our pavements often exhibit frost heaves, and large cracks from differential settlement due to permafrost.  This creates a very dangerous surface for motorcyclists.   Second, our lower sun angle and long periods of twilight, both characteristics of our high latitude, create several hours per day where shadow from adjacent vegetation may obscure a motorcyclist. Both may be factors in our growing rate of motorcycle accidents and both could be mitigated through awareness and education.   

The purpose of the Alaska Motorcycle Safety Advisory Committee (AMSAC) is to recognize and engage the expertise which exists within the state, which includes individuals knowledgeable and experienced in the issues of motorcycle safety and roadway operations, in order to advise this Administration concerning rider education & training, impaired motorcycle driver enforcement, motorist awareness of motorcycles, road hazards unique to motorcycles, and other matters relating to motorcycle safety. Traditionally motorcyclists are generous with their time and resources in raising hundreds of thousands of dollars each year for charities in communities across Alaska. As the state grapples with the transportation challenges of the next decade, it is necessary for motorcyclists to have a voice in that debate. The Committee meets about six times a year to develop a statewide motorcycle media campaign, an annual motorcycle rider survey, and to review highway safety motorcycle grant applications.

Division of Motor Vehicles, Currently Registered Vehicles off site link

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AHSO Motorcycle Safety Related Projects

The Motorcycle Industry Council has launched a new website that provides consumers information on using a motorcycle helmet when riding and allows them to find information on DOT-compliant helmets from any helmet manufacturer voluntarily participating in the database.  Major helmet companies and distributors AFX, AGV, Arai, AXO, HJC, Icon, Scorpion, and Shoei have thus far provided the information on their full line of helmets to the site.  Click here for an article about the site.

The World Health Organization (WHO) released Helmets - A Road Safety Manual for Decision-Makers and Practitioners pdf icon (3 MB) in 2006. This document is full of information about helmets.

 

State A.B.A.T.E. Groups

A.B.A.T.E. of Alaska

A.B.A.T.E. (Alaska Bikers Advocating Training & Education) of Alaska was the first and currently the largest of the state A.B.A.T.E. chapters. As an organization A.B.A.T.E. was founded with specific missions. Their first and foremost mission is to protect the rights to ride by:

Working within the legislative and regulatory process they strive to keep motorcycling free from unnecessary or unwarranted laws and regulations, and to promote those that are beneficial to their lifestyle.

Working to promote “Motorcycle Awareness Programs” to get other motorists to watch out for motorcycles and help prevent crashes.

And most importantly they provide the “A.B.A.T.E. Rider Education Program” to train riders of varying skills in the techniques necessary to have a safe ride on the roads of Alaska. Their program is recognized by the Alaska DMV, and upon successful completion of their courses will issue a students motorcycle endorsement without any further testing. Their “Rider Education Program” is also authorized by Alaska DMV to administer the state motorcycle endorsement test to those riders who do not take a course.

Juneau A.B.A.T.E.

Juneau ABATE is organized and operated as a non-profit Corporation under the provisions in AS: 10.200.005 of the State of Alaska and under Section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
The objectives and purposes of the Corporation shall be to form a united motorcycle riders organization for the following:

The Corporation and it's membership shall promote motorcycle safety education programs, public awareness programs and motorcycle training programs.

The Corporation and it's membership shall promote fair motorcycle legislation and shall work to prevent enactment of or to repeal existing unfair anti-motorcycle legislation.

Juneau A.B.A.T.E. has established a sustainable motorcycle rider training program using the nationally certified Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) rider course training curriculum. The program includes both the MSF Basic Rider Course for beginning riders and the Experienced Rider Course for experienced riders. The program is recognized by the Alaska Department of Motor Vehicles, which waives motorcycle road and written tests for MSF Rider course graduates.

Valley A.B.A.T.E.

Valley or Mat-Su ABATE is proud to offer motorcycle safety classes. The courses will be offered from May thru September every year. The classroom sessions will be located at the Boys and Girls Club, at 3700 East Bogard Road, Wasilla. The range will be located at the Wasilla High School, 701 East Bogard Road, Wasilla. All classes are taught using MOTORCYCLE SAFETY FOUNDATION certified rider coaches.

Upon completion of the Basic Riders Course (BRC) or the Experienced Riders Course (ERC), you will be allowed to waive the written and road test at the Department of Motor Vehicles. Your completion card must be presented to the Department of Motor Vehicles to receive your Motorcycle Endorsement. Your completion card is valid for one year.

Completion of this course may also reduce your insurance rates. Check with your insurance provider.

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Upcoming Motorcycle Events

A.B.A.T.E. of Alaska Events Page off site link

Juneau A.B.A.T.E. Events Page off site link

Valley A.B.A.T.E. Events Page off site link

Alaska Motorcycle Ads

A.B.A.T.E.'s Learn to Ride Ad (.png image - 344 KB)

 

Motorcycle Information and Statistics

NHTSA Traffic Safety Facts - Motorcyclists Injured in Motor Vehicle Traffic Crashes pdf icon (219 KB)

2009 AMSAC Motorcycle Enthusiast Survey Results and Analysis pdf icon (1 MB)

 

Motorcycle Headset Statutes and Administrative Codes

AS 28.05.081 – Approval of Vehicle Equipment
AS 28.35.245 – Motorcycle Helmets
13 AAC 04.350 – Equipment for Riders
13 AAC 04.260 – Television Receiver and Headsets

(b) A driver of a motor vehicle may not wear a headset, headphones, or other headgear designed for receiving sound and transmitting sound to the driver, or wear ear plugs or a similar device which reduces the driver’s hearing ability while driving a vehicle.

(c) This section does not prohibit the use of television-type or headgear-receiving equipment used exclusively for safety or law enforcement purposes, used for and designed to improve a driver’s hearing ability, or navigational devices such as GPS.

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