Residents of 13 counties in northern Illinois can do more to increase highway safety than just fastening their seat belts.

A program available to local residents offers classes in how to ride a motorcycle or improve their riding skills to beginning and experienced riders, said Robin Carson, Motorcycle Safety Project coordinator.

Duane Johnson, a NIU professor of industry and technology who has since retired, originated the NIU program in the 1960’s, said Rick Kieltyka, project director. The project currently includes DeKalb, Lake, DuPage and half of Cook County.

About 31 percent of the students donate their $20 refundable registration fee to the NIU Foundation, Kieltyka said. Donations are used to buy equipment and provide instructors with current curriculum materials.

Kieltyka said the program was funded by the federal government between 1975 to 1981. In 1981, Gov. James Thompson approved the Cycle Riders Training Act to supplement the program through state funds. The program benefits and is funded by motorcyclists because $4 from every motorcycle license fee is used for the program’s expenses.

Motorcycle accidents and accident-related injuries have decreased since the implementation of the program, Kieltyka said.

Carson said this is the first year students over 18 who pass the class do not have to take the driving portion of the test to receive their licenses. He said an average of 2 percent of the students failed the riding test.

The elimination of the riding test will save funds at Illinois drivers license facilities, he said. More insurance companies are giving discounts to people who take and pass the MSP course.

“We’ve got more demand (for the classes) than we can meet,” Carson said. He said openings in the experienced riders courses were filled in six days. Classes are held between April and September.

The beginners’ classes include 20 hours of classroom instruction and riding experience. The beginners’ classes are held at community colleges for weekend sessions on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays or for two weeks Monday through Thursday from 6 to 10 p.m.

Carson said experienced riders classes are held for one weekend day. To be considered an experienced rider, one must have at least one year’s riding experience or previously passed the beginners’ course.

The beginners’ classes provide motorcycles and helmets. Students are required to wear long-sleeved shirts or leather jackets, long pants, gloves, above-ankle riding boots and eye protection. Experienced riders must provide their own motorcycles.

The Motorcycle Safety Project regional center is located in Adams Hall on the NIU campus. The NIU center is one of four regional centers in Illinois sponsored by the Illinois Department of Transportation through the Cycle Rider Safety Training Program.