Educate Motorcyclists -- and Other Drivers
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As a first-time purchaser of a 150cc scooter, I appreciated Mike Collins's Nov. 6 Close to Home piece, "Saving Motorcyclists From Themselves," which advocated requiring Motorcycle Safety Foundation courses.
Although the foundation may offer outstanding courses, it does not offer online registration and, anyway, conducts no courses in the District.
Giving its over-the-phone "course locator" a D.C. Zip code produced an inoperable number for training in Virginia. Alternate phone numbers for registration listed on the Web site include the main number for the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration. I eventually reached an actual person, only to find that area courses are booked well into 2006.
When I was in the market for a scooter, I met a couple who flew to another city just to take a Motorcycle Safety Foundation course. As a next-best alternative, I called the foundation to buy some safety-related books. They were back-ordered.
Still, even without a safety course, I passed the District's motorcycle driving test, which consisted of one 30-yard zigzag across the DMV parking lot, lasting about nine seconds.
Mandatory safety courses are a great idea. Access to optional ones would be nice, too.
ALEX ROTH
Washington
