Ride Smarter, Ride Safer

Rider Resources

Training courses, safety education, gear guides, and community knowledge to help you stay safe on two wheels.

Quick Safety Tips

Fundamentals that save lives on every ride.

Ride Sober

Alcohol is a factor in roughly 30% of all motorcycle fatalities nationally. Even one drink impairs balance, reaction time, and judgment — the three things you need most on two wheels.

Assume Invisibility

Ride as if every car on the road cannot see you — because many of them genuinely can’t. Position yourself where drivers are most likely to look, and always have an escape route planned.

Practice Emergency Braking

Find an empty parking lot and practice hard stops regularly. In a real emergency, muscle memory takes over. Know your bike’s limits before you need to find them on the road.

Check Your Tires

Your tires are your only contact with the road. Check pressure before every ride, inspect tread depth, and look for cracks or nails. Underinflated tires are a leading cause of single-vehicle motorcycle crashes.

Ride Your Own Ride

Group rides are fun, but never let peer pressure push you beyond your comfort zone. The rider who arrives last but arrives safe made the right call every time.

Continuous Learning

Take a refresher course every few years, watch crash analysis videos, and stay humble. The most dangerous rider is the one who thinks they have nothing left to learn.

Before You Ride

Simple habits that help the people who care about you worry a little less.

Tell Someone You're Riding

Before you head out, let a friend, partner, or family member know you're going for a ride. A simple text takes five seconds and gives the people who care about you peace of mind.

Share Your General Area

You don't need to share your exact route, but let someone know the general area you plan to be in — "heading out toward Highland Road" or "riding up to Covington." If something goes wrong, it gives people a starting point.

Communicate When Plans Change

If you decide to extend the ride, take a different route, or meet up with other riders, send a quick update. Plans change — that's fine. Just keep someone in the loop.

Check In When You're Home

When you make it to your destination safely, let them know. It closes the loop and it matters more than you think. A quick "made it" text is all it takes. Make it a habit every single ride.

Consider Location Sharing

Apps like Apple's Find My, Google Maps location sharing, or Life360 let your trusted people see where you are without you having to think about it. It's not about surveillance — it's about safety. If you go down on a backroad with no cell signal, it could be the difference.

ICE Info on Your Phone

Set up your phone's emergency contact info (ICE — In Case of Emergency). First responders check for this. Also consider carrying a physical card in your jacket with your name, blood type, allergies, and emergency contact number.

Training & Education

The single best thing you can do for your safety is invest in proper training — whether you’re brand new or have been riding for decades.

MSF Overview

The gold standard in rider education. Over 2,500 course sites nationwide. Completion often waives the DMV riding test and can earn insurance discounts.

Visit MSF

MSF Basic RiderCourse

Two 5-hour sessions of on-bike instruction over a weekend. Ages 16+, covering controls, turning, braking, and hazard avoidance. Motorcycles and helmets provided.

Find a Course

MSF Online eCourse

A 3-hour interactive online program covering motorcycling basics with video and graphics. Great as a refresher or primer before the hands-on course.

Start Learning

MSF Advanced Courses

MSF 360 Rider offers courses at every level: Start, Improve, and Advance. Build cornering confidence, emergency braking, and group riding awareness.

Level Up

Louisiana State Programs

State-run programs right here in Louisiana — courses that waive your DMV riding and written tests. Call (225) 658-7255 for scheduling.

LSP Program Overview

The Louisiana Department of Public Safety runs official motorcycle training through State Police. Graduates are exempt from OMV riding and written tests. DPS motorcycles available for Basic course.

Visit LSP

LSP Basic Rider Course

From basic operation to evasive maneuvering. Requires a 5-hour online eCourse first. Practical sessions run Sat & Sun mornings, ~5½ hours each. Register two weeks ahead.

LSP Intermediate Course

A 5-hour on-range course to fine-tune mental and physical skills. Practice cornering, braking, and evasive maneuvers. Must be a Basic graduate or licensed motorcyclist.

LSP Advanced Course

A challenging 5-hour half-day for skilled, licensed motorcyclists. Emphasis on crash-avoidance, cornering finesse, and braking. Bring your own street-legal bike.

LSP Instructor Prep

~65 hours over three consecutive weekends. Must be 21+, a licensed rider who rides routinely. Graduates earn national MSF RiderCoach certification.

LA Highway Safety Commission

The LHSC coordinates statewide motorcycle safety awareness campaigns and supports rider education. A key partner in Destination Zero Deaths.

Visit LHSC

Video Resources

Learn from real-world crash analysis and street-level riding instruction.

DanDan The Fireman

92K+ subscribers • Retired Firefighter/EMT • Former MSF Rider Coach

Daniel Tolomei spent 11 years responding to motorcycle crashes as a firefighter/EMT before dedicating himself full-time to motorcycle safety education. His channel features detailed after-action reviews of real crashes, breaking down exactly what went wrong and how riders can avoid the same mistakes. Essential viewing for any rider who wants to understand the “why” behind crashes.

Watch on YouTube

Motorcycle Training Concepts

Dan’s comprehensive training system built from real-world experience: what actually causes crashes, what actually builds skill, and what actually prepares a rider for the road.

Explore Courses

Road Guardians

Dan serves as Lead Instructor for Road Guardians, a nonprofit focused on rider safety through education and accident scene management training for motorcyclists.

Learn More

Traumoto

Trauma Nurse Founded • 54+ Countries • 11+ Documented Lives Saved

Founded by a licensed Registered Nurse with 5+ years of emergency and trauma experience, Traumoto builds TCCC/CE-certified motorcycle trauma kits designed specifically for riders. Their “Save Stories” page documents real-life saves from riders carrying their kits — including tourniquets, hemostatic gauze, and chest seals. Essential follow for understanding roadside trauma care and why carrying a kit matters.

traumoto.com YouTube

Gear Guide

What you wear is your only protection between you and the pavement. Here’s what every rider should have.

ATGATT
All The Gear, All The Time. It’s not a question of if you’ll go down — it’s when. The gear you skip is the protection you lose. Dress for the slide, not the ride.
Essential
Motorcycle Helmet

Helmet

Your most critical piece of gear. A DOT/ECE-certified full-face helmet protects the chin area, which takes 35% of crash impacts. Snell or ECE 22.06 rated helmets offer the highest protection. Replace after any impact or every 5 years.

Essential
Motorcycle Jacket

Jacket

Armored motorcycle jacket with CE-rated shoulder, elbow, and back protectors. Leather offers the best abrasion resistance; textile with Cordura or Kevlar is versatile for hot climates like Louisiana. Always get one with a back protector pocket.

Essential
Motorcycle Gloves

Gloves

Your hands hit the ground first in most crashes. Motorcycle gloves with knuckle armor, palm sliders, and wrist closure are critical. Gauntlet-style gloves that cover the wrist provide the best protection.

Essential
Motorcycle Boots

Boots

Over-the-ankle boots with oil-resistant soles, ankle armor, and toe reinforcement. Your feet and ankles are extremely vulnerable in a crash. No sneakers, no sandals, no exceptions.

Important
Riding Pants

Pants

Riding jeans with Kevlar lining and CE knee/hip armor, or dedicated textile/leather riding pants. Regular jeans disintegrate in less than a second at speed. Your legs have major arteries — protect them.

Recommended
High-Vis Vest

High-Vis / Reflective

Reflective elements or a high-vis vest dramatically increase your visibility. Many crashes happen because the driver “didn’t see” the rider. Be seen, especially at dawn, dusk, and night.