2020 Washington state motorcycle licensing training changes

[Richard230]

Anyone who is thinking about getting a motorcycle endorsement in Washington state might be interested in this article: https://soundrider.com/current/2003/...p-changes.aspx

[oxytotl]

I read most of it then my wife nudged me as I'd fallen asleep. I'm bloody glad I'm not thinking of learning to ride a bike for the odd sunny afternoon spin. The truth is, governments don't want people on bikes now and if they put enough barriers in the way biking will fade out.

[Daboo]

Terry, you nailed it. The government doesn't want you to ride. Passing a law outlawing motorcycle riding is probably never going to happen. But if they can give you enough barriers to have to get through in order to get a license, they can eliminate motorcycle riding that way. Sort of like not outlawing the possession and sale of guns; just outlaw the sale of bullets.

I've heard that a majority of the riders on the streets in Washington (and probably elsewhere too), don't have a motorcycle endorsement on their driver's licenses. That'll probably continue.

Chris

[Richard230]

Here is another article by Sound Rider. This one discusses recent changes to the Washington State motorcycle licensing regulations: https://soundrider.com/current/2003/...p-changes.aspx

[crna59]

I could go on and on about what I've seen this year as an Instructor. The first 3 months of the year, it rained almost every single day. I'm preaching to the choir, but most of your braking on the street is in the front. We had 26 crashes in January because folks didn't know how to use the front brake. Now I'm talking 3rd Party testing where someone just comes off the street and takes the test.... whether they've been riding "dirty" or what have you. I saw so many brand new bikes go down the first 3 months. I didn't pass the first rider on the Endorsement until March 1st. Folks taking a BRC (Basic Riding Course), there is a 20-25% pass rate on the "Endorsement". According to the WA State Drivers Manual, its says you will NOT be given the Endorsement test until you take an Advanced course. "Unfortunately" the contractor I teach for offers the Endorsement test for beginning riders. They are the only contractor in WA State doing that. It's all this "target zero" thing. Washington wants you to practice with your "Permit" before you come back to take the more advanced "Endorsement" testing. Over 65% of the single-vehicle rider crashes in WA State happen in curves. No one seems to be able to counter-steer. That's the second part of the Endorsement.... a large figure-8 "averaging" 15mph. Counter-steering comes into play ~13-14mph. We've seen so many crashes and folks either not going fast enough, or going too fast and and have path of travel issues.
I'm glad WA State implemented the more advanced requirements. The sad thing, like so many others have said, there will be a lot of "dirty" riders out there!! Stay safe folks......

[Daboo]

Are the existing MC endorsed riders grandfathered?

Chris

[crna59]

Are the existing MC endorsed riders grandfathered?

Chris

Yes.....

[Daboo]

I read most of it then my wife nudged me as I'd fallen asleep. I'm bloody glad I'm not thinking of learning to ride a bike for the odd sunny afternoon spin. The truth is, governments don't want people on bikes now and if they put enough barriers in the way biking will fade out.

Yeah, it lost me too in the details.

I think the objective is to increasingly make it more and more difficult to ride a motorcycle, till no one is riding. Then...you'll get zero deaths.

Chris