Minnesota Motorcycle Safety Program (MMSP)

Mission

MMSP mission is to prevent motorcycle crashes and the resulting fatalities and injuries by providing high-quality rider education, training and licensing.

MMSP offers a complete motorcycle safety package to accomplish this mission by providing high-quality motorcycle safety education and training through on-cycle and classroom rider training courses; media relations, events, campaigns, and informational materials; and third-party skills testing for motorcycle license endorsement through the Basic Rider Course and evening motorcycle testing project at select DVS Exam Stations.

MMSP relies on the support of the motorcycling community, dealers, clubs, and motorcycle rights organizations. These groups serve as partners for events such as the annual Washout, rider training course promotion, education and outreach, and through a motorcyclist advisory committee.

History

In response to a record high 121 motorcyclist fatalities in 1980, a state statute created a motorcycle safety program in 1982, and the MMSP began work in 1984. It was one of the first state programs to take a comprehensive approach to motorcycle safety, combining rider training, public information and education, motorcycle testing and licensing, and research.

The law also created a state dedicated Motorcycle Safety Fund, and most of the program’s funding comes directly from Minnesota motorcyclists through initial motorcycle permit fees ($11) and endorsement renewal fees ($7). As a result, most of the materials provided by MMSP include the tag line: "Paid for by Minnesota motorcyclists."

In 1997, MMSP created the Minnesota Motorcycle Safety Center (MMSC) brand to better reflect its role in providing “one stop shopping” for motorcycle safety in Minnesota.

Organization