Original photo provided by Ken Condon. table of contents INTRODUCTION . .1 MISSION STATEMENT . .1 MASSACHUSETTS RIDER EDUCATION PROGRAM . .2 DEFINITIONS . .4 MOTORCYCLE . .4 MOTORIZED BICYCLE . .4 OPERATION OF MOTORIZED BICYCLES . .4 MOTORIZED SCOOTER . .5 OPERATION OF MOTORIZED SCOOTER . .5 LIMITED USE VEHICLE . .6 LICENSING REQUIREMENTS . .7 PERMITS . .7 LICENSES . .7 LICENSING REQUIREMENTS FOR MINORS . .7 LICENSE FEES . .8 ROAD TEST . .9 EQUIPMENT . .9 LIMITED USE VEHICLES AND TRIkES . .10 TEST PROCEDURES . .10 COMMON REASONS FOR FAILING A ROAD TEST . .11 POLICIES ON CANCELLATIONS & FEES . .11 PREPARING TO RIDE . .12 PROPER EQUIPMENT . .12 HELMET USE . .13 HELMET SELECTION . .13 FACIAL PROTECTION . .13 DEFENSIVE CLOTHING . .14 YOUR MOTORCYCLE . .15 RIDER CHECkLIST . .15 FAMILIARITY . .15 RIDING WITHIN YOUR ABILITIES . .16 BODY POSITION & POSTURE . .16 SEAT . .16 HANDS . .16 kNEES . .16 FEET . .16 TURNING . .17 BRAkING . .18 SHIFTING GEARS . .18 DOWNSHIFTING . .18 SHIFTING IN A TURN . .18 STARTING ON A HILL . .19 AVOIDING COLLISIONS . .19 BE VISIBLE . .19 CLOTHING . .20 HEADLIGHT . .20 BRAkE LIGHT . .20 COMMUNICATING YOUR INTENTIONS . .20 TURN SIGNALS . .20 HORN . .21 POSITION . .21 LOOKING FOR TROUBLE . .22 THE ROAD AHEAD . .23 THE ROAD BEHIND . .23 USING YOUR MIRRORS . .24 KEEPING YOUR DISTANCE . .25 DISTANCE IN FRONT . .25 DISTANCE BEHIND . .25 DISTANCE TO THE SIDE . .25 PASSING . .26 BEING PASSED . .26 INTERSECTIONS . .26 PARkED VEHICLES . .27 LANE SHARING . .27 CARS ALONGSIDE . .27 MERGING TRAFFIC . .27 DANGEROUS SURFACES . .27 SLIPPERY SURFACES . .28 VERY SLIPPERY AREAS . .28 UNEVEN SURFACES OR OBSTACLES . .29 RAILROAD OR TROLLEY TRACkS . .29 GROOVES AND GRATINGS . .30 SWERVING OR TURNING QUICkLY . .30 QUICk STOPS . .31 FLYING OBJECTS . .31 ANIMALS . .31 CARRYING PASSENGERS & CARGO . .32 PASSENGER SAFETY & INSTRUCTION . .32 PASSENGERS & EQUIPMENT . .32 RIDING WITH PASSENGERS . .32 CARRYING LOADS . .33 GROUP RIDING . .33 SMALL GROUPS . .33 GROUP COHESION . .33 PASSING INFORMATION . .34 NIGHT RIDING . .35 GETTING OFF THE ROAD . .35 RULES OF THE ROAD . .36 SPEED LIMITS . .36 SCHOOL ZONES . .37 TRAFFIC SIGNALS . .37 STEADY RED . .37 STEADY RED ARROW . .37 FLASHING RED . .38 STEADY YELLOW . .38 FLASHING YELLOW . .38 STEADY GREEN . ..