News Room

Boise, IDAHO, March 5, 2012   – Idaho STAR, the state’s motorcycle safety program, announced that for the first time in their 16 year history, they will be holding three ‘Spring Openers’ to kick off the motorcycle riding season. The events are being hosted and co-sponsored by High Desert Harley-Davidson in Meridian on March 10, Action Motor Sports in Idaho Falls on March 31, and Coeur d'Alene Powersports Honda KTM in Coeur d’Alene on April 14. All three events will run on Saturdays from 11:00am to 1:00pm and are intended to reach riders with information to prevent crashes.

**(On-line press release with photos can be found on-line here - Spring Opener Press Release)**

These events will include riding demonstrations, handouts, giveaways, and information about the factors involved in Idaho’s motorcycle crashes. The focus will be on what riders can do to avoid those crashes.

“Many riders think that the biggest risk is the car drivers, or that it’s the ‘kids on sport-bikes’ that are the problem. Recent Idaho crash data suggest that while cars do pose some risk to riders, the biggest factor is rider error, and the most common crash victim is a male, over 40, and riding a cruiser or touring bike” says Stacey “Ax” Axmaker, STAR Program Director. “Regardless of how or why it happens, though, in any car-bike crash, it’s the rider that loses.”

The STAR Program has also conducted a review of all 7,738 motorcycle crashes statewide from 1996 – 2010 and this data indicates that STAR training is associated with a 79% reduced crash risk and an 89% reduction in the risk of a fatal crash. “With numbers like this,” says Axmaker, “we KNOW that we can help save our Idaho riders and prevent crashes - we just need to reach them.”

The Spring Opener events are a way for the STAR Program to reach the riders of Idaho. Rider training is not just for new riders; Idaho STAR has courses for all levels of riders and will be demonstrating some of the more advanced riding skills and techniques at the Spring Openers.

“At 50, I didn't think I needed to take this class, but I went ahead and did so. Turned out I really needed it. It is a great program and I would recommend it to everyone who is considering riding!” -Dean E. – course graduate.

“I strongly feel that taking this class may have saved my life.” -Steven C. – course graduate.

The Idaho STAR Motorcycle Safety Program was established to reduce crashes and fatalities involving motorcyclists, primarily through rider training and education programs. STAR provides training for all levels of experience and ability, from people just thinking about buying a motorcycle, all the way up to expert riders. You can find more information about Idaho STAR by calling them at 888-280-STAR, visit them online at www.idahostar.org, or find them on social media at www.facebook.com/IdahoSTAR, and www.youtube.com/user/IdahoSTARProgram.

About Idaho STAR

The Idaho STAR Motorcycle Safety Program is an Idaho Division of Professional-Technical Education program and operates through the College of Southern Idaho. STAR is accredited by the National Association of State Motorcycle Safety Administrators (SMSA). STAR training is associated with a 79% reduced crash risk and an 89% reduction in the risk of a fatal crash. STAR provides courses for all levels of riders, taught by Idaho certified instructors.