RMV Offers Motorcycle Rider Safety Programs

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BOSTON — The Registry of Motor Vehicles has started the Massachusetts Rider Education Program's (MREP) spring motorcycle safety campaign, encouraging riders of all experience levels to enroll in professional training as the riding season gets underway across Massachusetts. 

This year's motorcycle safety and awareness season was kicked off with a proclamation from Gov. Maura Healey

The program's mission is to reduce motorcycle-related injuries and fatalities by expanding access to Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) approved training along with increasing safety awareness among both riders and drivers. The program supports a statewide network of nine certified training schools across 22 locations, with over 110 Rider Coaches who are MSF-certified.  

Motorcyclists can choose from a wide range of courses designed for new, returning, and experienced riders. Options include introductory sessions, license-waiver courses, advanced skill development, and specialized training such as on-street instruction and track-day coaching. 

Courses may include a mix of online learning, classroom sessions, and on-motorcycle exercises, and students must complete all required components including knowledge tests or riding evaluations to receive credit. 

Key offerings include:

  • Introductory Motorcycle Experience 
  • Basic Rider Course (License Waiver) 
  • Basic Rider Course 2 (License Waiver) 
  • Three-Wheel Basic Rider Course (License Waiver) 
  • Advanced Rider Courses and Skills Practice 
  • Ride Like a Pro 
  • On-Street Motorcycle Training 
  • Advanced Parking Lot Course 
  • Individual Track Day Training 

Graduates of the Basic Rider Course, Basic Rider Course 2, or Three-Wheel Basic Rider Course, which are license waiver courses, may qualify for exemption from the RMV motorcycle road test and the associated $35 fee. Many insurance providers also offer a limited 10 percent discount on Massachusetts' motorcycle insurance for riders who complete an approved license waiver course. Students under 18 should contact their training school for details regarding course eligibility. 

In addition to the three license waiver courses, the certified motorcycle schools offer advanced training courses for motorcyclists to increase their knowledge and experience. Courses available include the Advanced Rider Course, First Ride (introductory course to see if motorcycling is for you), Sidecar and Trike Education Program, Ride Like a Pro, Riding In the Zone, Stayin Safe, and Dirt Bike Courses.  

Spring marks the return of many riders to the road and is one of the highest risk periods of the year. Drivers are adjusting to seeing motorcycles again, road surfaces may still be recovering from winter, and riders may be reacclimating to skills they haven't used for several months. 

To help reduce crashes, MREP encourages all drivers this season to: 

  • Look twice before turning or changing lanes. 
  • Check mirrors and blind spots carefully. 
  • Give motorcycles extra space. 
  • Avoid distractions and stay alert. 
  • Remember that motorcycles may be closer—and moving faster—than they appear. 

A full list of motorcycle rider schools and training locations is available on the RMV's Massachusetts Rider Education Program webpage

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State Housing Secretary Tours Downtown Pittsfield Developments

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The state's new secretary of the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities on Monday saw how local developers are transforming historic buildings into downtown housing units. 

Secretary Juana Matias, appointed to the role in February, toured the former St. Joseph's High School on Maplewood Avenue and the near-complete Wright Building Block on North Street.   

Matias observed local leaders working collaboratively to dismantle bottlenecks in housing production, something she said the administration wants to see across all 351 municipalities.  

"This is a perfect model of the partnerships we want to see, and we love coming to the ground and seeing how people are leveraging public taxpayer dollars to help address the issue of our time, which is housing production," she said after the tours. 

Developer David Carver, of Scarafoni Associates & CT Management Group, is seeking support from the state Housing Development Incentive Program to transform St. Joe's into apartments, and Allegrone Companies has secured millions from the program towards the Wright Building renovation

They first visited the shuttered school that functioned as a shelter during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, greeted by broken windows and leaving with Carver's vision. 

The plan is to transform the school with good bones into 19 apartments, 20 percent designated affordable, and 30 percent of the building for commercial use.  Units are expected to cost between $1,700 and $1,900 per month; 14 one-bedroom units and five two-bedroom units are planned. 

The project team is in talks with the nearby Berkshire Family YMCA to expand their childcare activities to the building's lower level.  Residents and the daycare would use different entrances. 

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