With the huge contingent of motorcycle aficionados scattered across Michigan’s Great Southwest, the region has a great opportunity to represent the best of motorcycle safety while helping out the State of Michigan, and earning a little sidebar money in the process.
As a motorcycle rider, you can share your love of motorcycling with others through the Secretary of State’s Michigan Rider Education Program.
Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, who oversees the program, says that becoming a Motorcycle Safety Foundation-certified instructor, or “RiderCoach,” provides great job benefits, and she needs both men and women riders to serve as motorcycle safety instructors.
If you are passionate about riding, you can share that passion with others as a certified motorcycle safety class instructor.
Benson tells us, “There are several openings for RiderCoaches across the state,” adding, “RiderCoaches will tell you that, not only is it fun to teach, it’s very gratifying to watch skills and confidence grow as riders progress through a class.”
RiderCoaches are hired by public and private motorcycle safety providers, such as colleges, universities and select Harley Davidson dealerships. Providers employ the instructors and provide the classrooms, teaching materials and riding ranges. The Michigan Rider Education Program ensures that the RiderCoaches are certified and the teaching materials and ranges meet specifications set by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation.
The pay rate for RiderCoaches averages about $30 per hour but may vary slightly depending on the provider. RiderCoach applicants must be experienced motorcyclists who enjoy working with people and possess good riding and communication skills.
To become a RiderCoach, you must meet the following criteria:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Have passed a Basic Rider Course (beginning motorcycle class) within the last year
- Have held a motorcycle endorsement for at least one year
- Possess a good driving record
- Pass a criminal background check
- Obtain a sponsorship with an approved public or private motorcycle safety course provider (providers are located throughout the state)
- Successfully complete the RiderCoach Prep Course
The fee for a RiderCoach prep course is $75 and includes the materials required for the course. RiderCoach candidates will spend approximately 80 hours in the classroom and on the motorcycle riding range.
Participants must attend every class during their session, pass a riding skills test and a knowledge test. They will learn how to effectively instruct and evaluate students in the classroom and on the range and will be required to teach a basic motorcycle safety class under the guidance of an experienced instructor.
Anyone interested in becoming a RiderCoach should contact the training coordinator for the RiderCoach prep training session they wish to attend. Four sessions are being offered this year and applicants are required to attend all days of the session:
Kalamazoo
March 19th – 22nd and April 2nd – 5th
Course location: Perry Harley Davidson, Portage
For more information, contact training coordinator:
Steve Lick at steve.lick@gmail.com
Warren
April 17th – 19th; April 24th – 26th; May 1st – 3rd and May 8th – 9th
Course location: Macomb Community College
For more information, contact training coordinator:
Vince Consiglio at abatemsf@tir.com
Livonia and Warren
May 14th – 17th and May 28th – 31st
Course location: Schoolcraft College and Macomb Community College
For more information, contact training coordinator:
Vince Consiglio at abatemsf@tir.com
Muskegon
May 28th – 31st and June 11th – 14th
Course location: Hot Rod Harley Davidson
For more information, contact training coordinator:
Steve Lick at steve.lick@gmail.com
For more information about the Michigan Rider Education Program, you can visit online at Michigan.gov/MI-rep. For a list of public and private motorcycle safety providers, go to Michigan.gov/Motorcycling.
