Florida Motorcycle Safety Coalition (FMSC)

Since 2009, The Center for Urban Transportation Research has been the home of the Florida Motorcycle Safety Coalition (FMSC). The FMSC is notable for its motorcycle safety efforts, receiving the Peter K. O’Rourke Special Achievement Award in 2010 and the State Motorcycle Safety Association’s ‘Outstanding State’ Award in 2013. The FMSC is well-recognized at the national level. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has also incorporated many activities of the FMSC into its Motorcycle Safety program training.

From May 2-3, 2023, traffic safety professionals from across Florida gathered at CUTR for the third FMSC meeting of the 2022-2023 subgrant cycle. The Motorcycle Injury Prevention Research (MIPR) team also hosted the Coalition’s annual Emphasis Area Leaders’ Meeting, preceding the general meeting.

On the first day, an overview of program accomplishments was given by the Program Manager, Ms. Edith Peters, FDOT. In observation of Motorcycle Safety Month, MIPR distributed over 450 ‘Watch for Motorcycles’ yard signs. Mr. Rich Newsome, American Bikers Aiming Towards Education (ABATE), provided a presentation on ABATE activities, followed by a motorcycle crash data presentation by Dr. Chanyoung Lee, CUTR. Dr. Patricia Byers, Ryder Trauma Center, presented on motorcycle crash injury patterns and hospital resource use analysis.

On day two, Dr. Ray Ochs, Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF), provided an update on MSF’s scooter training curriculum. Meeting attendees engaged in conversations about the Coalition’s achievements and goals in light of an upcoming National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Motorcycle Safety Program Assessment, scheduled for 2024.