TEAM OREGON eRider™ Online Classroom Curriculum Text October 3, 2014 ©2014 TEAM OREGON Motorcycle Safety Program. Do not distribute or reproduce without permission. Introduction The objective of the eRider™ online classroom is to prepare new and returning motorcyclists to ride safely on the street. The course is designed to meet Oregon mandatory training requirements and national standards. Upon successful completion of classroom and range, riders will have the basic mental and physical skills necessary to: ● Select appropriate riding gear ● Identify common hazards and interpret clues in the riding environment ● Use lane positioning to see and be seen, avoid hazards and maximize space ● Identify conditions and impairments that affect rider safety and performance ● Operate motorcycle or scooter controls to safely manage position, speed and path The eRider™ online classroom uses multiple learning modules and activities to introduce and reinforce key motorcycle safety concepts. Review questions and quizzes are embedded in each chapter to help students evaluate their learning. Each chapter’s final activity asks students to apply key concepts and strategies to real-world situations. Learning Objectives Chapter 1 – Riding Gear. Riders will learn the risks associated with operating a motorcycle and the importance, function and characteristics of proper protective gear. Chapter 2 – Controls. Riders will learn the location and operation of motorcycle or scooter controls, how to get underway, shift and stop. These skills are also practiced during the riding phase of the course. Chapter 3 – Taking Control. Riders will learn strategic lane positioning to see and be seen and the process of scanning to identify hazards, clues and escape routes. Riders will also learn strategies to avoid hazards and correct responses for dealing with hazards. Chapter 4 – Riding Skills. Riders will learn the proper techniques for cornering, braking and swerving. These skills are also practiced during the riding phase of the course. Chapter 5 – Riding in the Real World. Riders will learn techniques for passing and adjusting to surface hazards and conditions of reduced traction and visibility. Riders will also learn proper techniques and cautions for riding in groups, carrying passengers and cargo and riding long distances. Chapter 6 – Ready to Ride. Riders will learn the requirements to ride legally in Oregon, what it means to be ready to ride and the factors that adversely affect rider performance. Riders will also learn the effects of impairments such as distraction, emotion, fatigue, alcohol and other drugs on riding. ©2014 TEAM OREGON Motorcycle Safety Program. Do not distribute or reproduce without permission. Chapter 1 Riding Gear 1-1 | Introduction | Priority 1 Objective: Riders will learn the risks associated with operating a motorcycle and the importance, function and characteristics of proper protective gear. 1-2 | Preventing Injuries | Priority: 3 Motorcycle riders face many risks, from other road users, roadway surfaces conditions, even the weather. Riding safely means recognizing and managing these risks. One simple way to reduce the risk of riding is to wear good quality protective gear. Whether you are riding a 50cc scooter, a full-dress touring bike or anything in between, what you are wearing is all that stands between you and the pavement in a crash. Riding a smaller bike or a scooter doesn't make the asphalt any softer or other traffic any less threatening. Choose good quality riding gear – no matter what you ride. Remember, riding gear will not prevent all injuries. It can prevent some injuries though, and reduce the severity of any injuries that might occur. [INTERACTIVE] Q: The point was that good riding gear should prevent all injuries. True or False? A: You are correct – the statement is false. An accurate statement is that good riding gear prevents some injuries – not all – and can reduce the severity of other injuries that may occur in a crash. [1.2.2] To ride safely you must first recognize and accept the risk of riding, and take steps to manage that risk. Wearing good riding gear is one way to demonstrate your commitment to reducing the risk of riding. 1-3 | Protection from the Elements | Priority 3 [1.3] [6.3.1] [6.3.6] [1.2.1.1] Good riding gear will help protect you from the elements like heat, cold, bugs, wind, rain, hail and flying debris. That kind of protection will make your ride more comfortable. And when you are physically comfortable, you can pay more attention to riding. And that reduces the likelihood of crashes. [INTERACTIVE] [1.3] [6.3.1] [6.3.6] Q: The point was that riding gear protects you from the elements. This makes you physically more comfortable and better able to pay attention to your riding. True or false? ©2014 TEAM OREGON Motorcycle Safety Program. Do not distribute or reproduce without permission. A: You are correct – the statement is true. Riding gear that protects you from the elements makes you physically comfortable and more attentive when you ride. 1-4 | Being Conspicuous | Priority 3 [1.3] [1.3.7] [1.3.8] [3.3.2] Conspicuity means being visible to others. Bright colors and retro- reflective material on your clothing, helmet, and motorcycle help you to be seen. After car- motorcycle crashes, car drivers often say “I didn’t see the motorcycle.” Highly visible riding gear will help avoid these crashes. [INTERACTIVE] Q: [1.3] [1.3.7] [1.3.8] [3.1.6] The point was that wearing bright colors makes you conspicuous, which means you will be seen more easily by other drivers. True or false? A: You are correct – the statement is true. Failing to be visible in traffic is a common cause of multi-vehicle motorcycle crashes. 1-5 | Selecting Riding Gear | Priority 1 In selecting riding gear to meet your needs, the most important measure is the effectiveness of the riding gear to protect your head and face – and protect your body, including your feet and hands. In these next sets of screens, we will introduce riding gear items for your head and riding gear items for your body. The knowledge you gain will help you make good selections for riding gear so that your head and body are as well-protected as possible every time you get on your motorcycle. 1-6 | Selecting a Helmet | Priority 3 Let’s begin by looking at how you protect your head. [1.3.1] Wearing a US Department of Transportation or DOT-compliant helmet is the best way to protect your head and your brain from injury. Many styles of helmets are DOT-compliant: Full- face helmets that cover the head, face, eyes and chin; modular helmets that feature a hinged chin bar; open-face or three-quarter helmets (that cover the head, but not the face or chin); and half-shell helmets (which cover only the top half of the head). Remember that the more of your head and face that is covered, the more protection you have from injury and the elements. DOT-compliant helmets do NOT restrict your peripheral vision. Your head is the highest point on the motorcycle when you are riding. [1.3.1] [3.3.2] Choose a brightly colored helmet and add retro-reflective stickers, increasing your visibility. Motorcycle helmets protect your head by ©2014 TEAM OREGON Motorcycle Safety Program. Do not distribute or reproduce without permission. absorbing impacts. The hard plastic outer shell, impact-absorbing liner, comfort padding, and retention or chin strap work together to provide this protection. Some helmets have features like adjustable air vents, a flip-up chin bar or a retractable sun visor. Some helmets also have comfort padding that is adjustable or removable. Whatever features you choose for your helmet, it should fit snugly on your head (not loose; not tight). Find the best fit by trying on different brands and styles to find the one that works for you. If your helmet is damaged in a crash or from being dropped, it is less able to protect you. Never buy a used helmet, since you don’t know how much damage it has already taken. Inspect your helmet periodically for visible damage (chips, cracks or dents in the liner). Always replace a damaged helmet – it is designed to absorb only one crash impact. Finally, avoid ‘novelty’ helmets. These helmets are not DOT-compliant and will not provide protection from an impact to your head. These ‘novelty’ or ‘fake’ helmets are often sold with a DOT sticker that you have to apply yourself. DOT-compliant helmets have a DOT sticker already in place, labeling on the inside of the helmet and about one inch of impact-absorbing liner between the outer shell and the comfort padding. Take these next few minutes to examine the helmet and learn what makes it safe. Click the buttons underneath the image to see it from different perspectives and learn more about important features. [INTERACTIVE] [1.3.1] Hard plastic/fiberglass composition outer shell – Absorbs and disperses crash impact energy Approximately 1” white EPS (expanded polystyrene) protective layer – Absorbs crash impact energy; helps insulate from heat and cold Soft inner liner and comfort padding – Provides a snug fit Retention straps and D rings or clip – Holds helmet securely to your head when fastened Full-faced helmet – Protects your entire head, face and jaw from crash impacts Modular helmet – Featuring a flip-up chin bar, it provides as much protection as a full-faced helmet Three-quarter helmet – Provides adequate head coverage but does not protect your face or jaw from crash impacts Half-helmet – Protects only the top of your head, leaving your ears, face and jaw exposed ©2014 TEAM OREGON Motorcycle Safety Program. Do not distribute or reproduce without permission.