Publication Date

1970

Document Type

Dissertation/Thesis

First Advisor

Johnson, Duane R., 1931-||Simpson, Victor G.

Degree Name

M.S. (Master of Science)

Legacy Department

Department of Industry and Technology

LCSH

Motorcycling

Abstract

Safety educators have become aware of the need for motorcycle instruction as a part of traffic safety. The purpose of this study was to evaluate a pilot motorcycle education course designed for high school students. The course consisted of twelve class hours and seven hours of laboratory work offered over a period of four weeks. The course content and progression of skills were established with the cooperation of Dr. Duane Johnson, project director. Six 90cc motorcycles were used on a paved parking lot marked by traffic cones. The project was evaluated in several ways. Students' knowledge and visual perception ability were tested at the beginning of the class and again at the end. A questionnaire of students' background information and their reactions to the class was also analyzed. The students' riding abilities were subjectively evaluated by the writer. Mr. James Peterson, Supervisor of Motorcycle Safety for the Office of Public Instruction for the State of Illinois, also evaluated the program. Students made significant gains in knowledge at the .001 level of confidence as measured by the test, re-test method. Results of the McPherson test showed no significant gains in visual perception. Results of the subjective evaluation of riding skills indicated that they were satisfactorily learned in five to six hours of range instruction with integrated laboratory and classroom experiences. An additional hour was spent on gravel and trail riding. Data from the student questionnaires indicated that the students were satisfied with the class and would recommend it to their friends if it were offered again. It is recommended that: 1. A minimum of eight class hours be allowed for motorcycle education if visual training is not included. 2. Perception training aids be developed for motorcycle education or that existing slide series be expanded to meet the special needs for motorcycle education classes. 3. Research be conducted to determine whether or not motorcycles and automobiles might be profitably mixed on off-street driving ranges. 4. Research be conducted to determine whether or not supervised road experience should be included in a motorcycle education course. 5. A text be developed for motorcycle education courses.

Comments

Includes bibliographical references.||Includes illustrations.

Extent

x, 64 pages

Language

eng

Publisher

Northern Illinois University

Rights Statement

In Copyright

Rights Statement 2

NIU theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from Huskie Commons for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without the written permission of the authors.

Media Type

Text

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