Southwest area motorcycle safety courses in Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Naples, Lehigh Acres and Bonita Springs are reporting heavy attendance, thanks to high gas prices and a law change on July 1 that make the courses mandatory for all new riders.
“It’s been pretty busy since the law change,” said Dustin Munoz of Harley Davidson/Buell of Fort Myers, which offers a 5-day, 25-hour course that can be taken day or night.
A check of the area found courses available in Cape Coral, Fort Myers, Bonita Springs and Port Charlotte. The courses range from 2-5 days at a cost of $200 to $300, which includes the use of a motorcycle and helmet.
For a complete list of courses and contact information, visit www.flbikers.com and click on safety.
“I can’t express the importance of taking a rider safety course enough,” said Bruce L. Scheiner, founder and senior attorney of Associates and Bruce L. Scheiner, Personal Injury Lawyers, which has been representing motorcycle accident victims since 1971. “Our roads are as safe as we make them.”
The state no longer issues temporary permits or conducts skills testing, according to Steven Zarabatany, president of Motorcycle Training Institute, which has a branch in Lehigh Acres that offers courses ranging from 2-4 days.
“In order to get your motorcycle endorsement you need to take a rider education course,” Zarbatany said. “Upon graduation, you are eligible to get your license.”
Franky Kennedy, president of the Southwest Florida Chapter of American Bikers Aimed Toward Education, said the increasing popularity of motorcycles makes the safety courses a particularly good idea.
“There are a lot of people who have never ridden a motorcycle or have not been on a bike in 30 years – motorcycles have evolved a lot in 30 years,” Kennedy said. “I’m an advocate for people to have to take a rider safety course before they get a license.”
For information on motorcycle accidents visit Associates and Bruce L. Scheiner, Personal Injury Lawyers, P.A. Associates and Bruce L. Scheiner has been representing accident victims in South Florida since 1971, with offices in Fort Myers, Naples, Cape Coral, Arcadia, Port Charlotte, Sebring and Venice.