Motorcycle Ohio to open new training site in county

Motorcycle Ohio, a division of the Ohio Traffic Safety Office, will open its first ever training site in Lorain County at Lorain County Community College, 1005 N. Abbe Road in Elyria, according to a news release

Ohioans who wish to learn what it takes to ride a motorcycle safely and responsibly can sign up now to take classes at the new training site beginning June 15, the release said.

Officials will hold a ribbon-cutting at noon, June 14, at LCCC.

“Motorcycle crashes are preventable, and proper training is key to saving lives,” said Michele Piko, program coordinator for Motorcycle Ohio. “We’ve made some progress in reducing motorcycle fatalities, but we still have a long way to go.

“Last year, there were 4,095 crashes involving motorcycles in Ohio and nearly 70% of those crashes involved an untrained rider.”

The Motorcycle Ohio program, offered by the Ohio Department of Public Safety, provides different levels of motorcycle safety courses for riders based on their skill levels and objectives, according to the release.

Funded by motorcycle license plate fees and class registrations, Motorcycle Ohio strives to provide affordable, effective education programs at just $50 per course, the release said.

Students must have a validated motorcycle temporary permit before their first riding session, the release said.

Upon successful completion of any course, the student will earn a 60-day Bureau of Motor Vehicles skill test waiver for a motorcycle license or endorsement.

“We are proud to have our campus serve as a training site for Motorcycle Ohio. Bringing this resource to Lorain County will raise awareness of motorcycle safety to our entire community,” said Tracy Green, vice president of Strategic and Institutional Development at LCCC.

June is “Saved by the Helmet” month, and the program also will present two “Saved by the Helmet” awards at the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

The award is given throughout the year to those who survive serious crashes while wearing a helmet.

The crash survivors to be honored were injured in two separate incidents:

• Jeff Mehnert of Strongsville was traveling Aug. 10, 2022, on Interstate 90 in Cleveland, when he hit a minivan that changed lanes in front of him. Mehnert was treated at the hospital for broken bones and severe road rash but says his helmet likely saved his life.• Sean Noel of Cleveland was hit Oct. 9, 2022, by the driver of an SUV on Clifton Boulevard in Lakewood.

The SUV driver admitted to not seeing Noel or looking behind her as she changed lanes into Noel’s path. He was hospitalized after being thrown from his motorcycle but was wearing a helmet — which saved him from more serious injuries.

Included in the presentation will be certificates of recognition and new replacement helmets, according to the release.

Riders older than age 18 are not required by Ohio law to wear a helmet, but Motorcycle Ohio hopes that acknowledging riders who wear proper protective gear will help promote and increase awareness of the lifesaving value of motorcycle helmets, the release said.