DMV TO OFFER MOTORCYCLE SAFETY PROGRAM ON WHEELS
Mobile Unit, Two New Custom Motorcycle License Plates Honoring Veterans Unveiled At the Annual Americade Rally in Lake George

New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) Commissioner Raymond P. Martinez today announced the creation of a new motorcycle rider-training course on wheels - a mobile unit provided by the DMV that will provide motorcycle safety training throughout the State. The Commissioner also unveiled two new custom motorcycle plates, a veteran's plate and a purple heart plate, which are now available for motorcyclists registered in New York State. The new plates and mobile training unit will be on hand at the annual Americade, the World's largest motorcycle touring rally, which each year brings 60,000 motorcycle enthusiasts to Lake George.

"We want motorcycle enthusiasts to enjoy all that Lake George and the Adirondacks have to offer, but we also want them to be safe," Commissioner Martinez said. "Our new 'motorcycle rider-training course on wheels' will greatly enhance our efforts to promote safety on New York's roadways by enabling us to provide motorcycle rider-training courses to motorcyclists in every corner of the State."

In 1997, Governor Pataki signed legislation creating a statewide rider-funded motorcycle safety program administered by the DMV, who works with the Motorcycle Association of New York State (MANYS) to provide safety programs, that to date, 30,230 riders of all abilities have attended. The legislation also provided the resources to implement these programs through a dedicated fund that uses a portion of the motorcycle registration and licensing fees.

Today's announcement expands on this highly successful safety program with the creation of the Motorcycle Safety Program Trailer, which is used to support the statewide training initiative, a traveling mobile training site, program promotion and transportation of motorcycles to and from the 23 training sites across New York State.

The basic rider course is a 16-hour training program including classroom and on-motorcycle instruction. The program provides the motorcycles and is taught by certified instructors. The courses are provided through commercial driving schools or educational institutions under the sponsorship of MANYS.

"The popularity of motorcycle riding is evident since New York now has more than 200,000 registered motorcycles and more than 500,000 licensed motorcyclists and, in fact, rider-ship has increased 34.5% between 1996 and 2001," said the Commissioner. "Due to the ever-increasing popularity, New York State and the DMV take motorcycle safety very seriously and we will continue to support and oversee the implementation of new safety programs and coordinated public education campaigns. In fact, this summer we will continue our very successful traffic safety campaign called ''Drive Right'' which encourages drivers to watch for motorcycles."

In its support of the motorcycle safety program, DMV provides the motorcycle road test waiver option as well as license point and insurance reduction benefits to those who successfully complete the Motorcycle Safety Foundation's beginning rider course. The recommended training is offered through the Motorcycle Association of New York State, Inc. and additional training information is available by visiting www.manys.org  or calling 1-888-4NY-RIDE.

In addition today, the Commissioner unveiled two new motorcycle plates to honor New York's veterans, one featuring the American flag with the word "VETERAN" above the graphic, to the left of the plate number and another featuring the Purple Heart medal with the words "Combat-Wounded".

The Veteran and the Purple Heart motorcycle custom plate are now available to current military personnel, and to ex-military personnel, who must validate their military service with a copy of their military discharge papers or with an official statement from the federal government or Department of Veterans Affairs verifying active military duty or awarding of this medal.

Both plates may be obtained at local motor vehicle offices, by calling the DMV Custom Plates office at 1-800-364-PLATES, or on the Internet at www.nysdmv.com. 

Americade is promoted as the "world's largest motorcycle touring rally" and brings tens of thousands of motorcyclists to the Lake George region this week. The rally, featuring displays from the major motorcycle manufacturers, experts on every aspect of motorcycling, and guided and unguided rides through the Northeast, runs through Saturday, June 7, 2003.

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