To help the experienced motorcyclist improve their riding skills, Motorcycle Ohio through the Ohio Department of Public Safety (ODPS) is offering the Experienced Rider Course (ERC) developed by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF). The ERC features an intensive hands-on approach to motorcycle rider training. There are training sites throughout Ohio and over 40 trained Instructors who are experienced motorcyclists trained to teach the Experienced Rider Course.

The program consists of 5 hours of training on your motorcycle in a parking lot under the watchful and helpful eye of a trained instructor.

For those wishing to take the course with a passenger (co-rider), the Motorcycle Safety Foundation and Motorcycle Ohio have an addition to the ERC curriculum called the ERC Co-rider course. The course material and exercises are very similar except that the co-rider participates in the the riding exercises as a passenger.



The student must provide the following:

1. Your own motorcycle registered to you.
   • Dealer loaned, state-owned motorcycles and students sharing a motorcycle are not allowed.
   • Scooters over 100cc may be used.
   • Motorcycles must be street legal and currently licensed.
   • Motorcycles must be insured. Students will be required to produce proof of insurance in effect at the time of the course before riding any exercises.
   • Motorcycles will be inspected by an Instructor prior to the riding session using the T-Clock Inspection Criteria and Motorcycle Ohio reserves the right to reject any motorcycle which does not pass the T-Clock criteria or is deemed unsuitable for the course.
2. Rider must have a minimum of six months riding experience.
3. Riders and co-riders under 18 years of age must have a parent or guardian sign a release and waiver form before any riding exercises.
4. The following protective riding gear must be worn at all times during the actual riding portions of the course.
   • Over-the-ankle sturdy footwear
   • Full-finger gloves
   • Long-sleeved shirt or jacket
   • Long pants without holes -- preferably jeans
   • DOT-approved helmet
   • Eye protection if using an open-face helmet or if using a full-face helmet with the face shield open
5. The operator of the motorcycle must have a motorcycle endorsement on their valid driver license.
6. Pay a non-refundable $25.00 registration fee.
7. The following are optional and not required to take the course, but will increase your comfort and enjoyment:
   • Foul-weather gear, sunblock
   • Pencil and paper to take notes
8. Additional requirements for ERC participants with a co-rider:
   • A motorcycle equipped to carry a co-rider.
   • The co-rider must be at least 16 years old.
   • The co-rider must be able to touch the passenger foot pegs when sitting on the motorcycle.
   • Switching responsibilities between the operator and co-rider is prohibited.
   • The co-rider must also pay a non-refundable registration fee.
   • Co-rider must wear the same protective gear as described above.
   • Co-riders under 18 years of age must have a parent or guardian sign a release and waiver form before any riding exercises.

Range topics include:

Control at Low Speed Stopping Quickly Cornering Judgment Stopping Quickly in a Curve Multiple Curves Cornering Finesse

Limited-Space Maneuvers Control-Skills Practice Hazard Avoidance: Swerving and Stopping Quickly End of Course On-the-Bike Exam

Practice riding sessions include:

Principles of stopping Stopping on a curve while maximizing traction reserves Controlling rear wheel skids Principles of stopping in the shortest distance Turning effectively through countersteering Maximizing traction reserves while cornering Swerving techniques including the use of counter-steering

Passing the Course
This course should not be viewed as a pass or fail experience. The Experienced Rider Course allows the student to increase their understanding of safe riding techniques and to practice these techniques on their motorcycle.

Experienced riders who do not pass this course will benefit from learning in a controlled environment under the watchful and helpful eye of a trained instructor specifically what mental and physical riding skills need to be improved.

Medical and Other Special Considerations
Please make the Motorcycle Ohio office aware of any special requirements you may have so that arrangements if possible can be made ahead of time.

Special requirements include:

• Anything you think may detrimentally affect your ability to safely operate a motorcycle. Examples include but are not limited to:
  • Too short to sit on the motorcycle with both feet touching the ground.
  • Neck or back injuries that may affect your strength or mobility
  • Recent injury(s) or surgery
  • Pregnancy
  • Mental illness
  • Vision or hearing problems
  • Physical disabilities especially those affecting the hands, legs or neck
  • Ability to learn or take tests such as but not limited to:
    • Dyslexia
    • ADD
    • Mental handicap
• Riders and passengers with medical or other special considerations may be requested to sign an additional waiver and release depending on the type and severity of the medical condition which may affect the rider's or passenger's ability to safely participate in the Experienced Rider Course.
• Additionally, the rider or passenger may be requested to have a physician verify in writing the medical condition and the physician's assessment of the medical condition.