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New Look!
Maybe you've already noticed, but the Spotlight has a new look! We hope you find the new layout both engaging and user friendly.
Fostering Communication in SMSA
Encouraging Unity through Effective Communication
Effective communication is the cornerstone of success in any organization. It fosters a sense of unity, motivation, and shared purpose. A well-crafted newsletter is one of the most impactful tools for disseminating information and inspiring those who may read it. As we embark on the resurrection of the SMSA Spotlight newsletter, I hope you will help cheer it on and participate in making it representative of our association.
The Importance of Good Communication
In every performance analysis in the history of everything, communication is the one essential topics that is always discussed regardless of the situation. This is for several reasons. Communication ensures that everyone in the organization is on the same page, reduces misunderstandings, and creates an environment where members feel valued and informed, knowing what and how things are being done. When communication is clear and positive, it boosts morale, encourages collaboration, and increases productivity.
At the last Summit, there was a very open discussion about being “a part” of the association through participation and sharing ideas and efforts. To gain acknowledgment as desired by active members and sponsors, all members must be positively active enough to participate and communicate to a level where their efforts have meaning.
Highlighting Achievements and Milestones
We want to share what is going on behind the scenes. This association has three standing committees, made up of individuals who volunteer their precious time to improve motorcyclist safety. We appreciate everyone's efforts and want to recognize it.
Highlighting what each committee is doing and what accomplishments they achieve will be an essential part of this newsletter, as you will hopefully see in this issue. SMSA, as an organization, would also like to celebrate the milestones of our members, whether the completion of projects within the industry, anniversaries, or personal achievements; we would like your help in sharing and fostering a culture of appreciation and motivation.
Feedback from You
Engagement and communication is a two-way street. We want your feedback and suggestions. This is an opportunity to hear what you think and acknowledge that your input and support are valuable to this community. For our association to prosper, we need to know how we are doing and gather some information on the newsletters and the association's effectiveness.
Our Schedule
For now, the Spotlight is planned to go out in the last month of each quarter to “field” test and ensure participation, and we hope you look forward to its arrival and message. The schedule will allow all the
volunteer writers to craft articles and receive input from all the members on what they want to see.
It is also an opportunity for our members to share their contributions, articles, special events, schedules, recognitions, and program efforts with everyone else. The newsletter is called the SMSA Spotlight, we want to spotlight the association's members!
Final Thoughts on Communications
Fostering good communication through this newsletter is another powerful way to cheer on our association. The best communication is said to be multi-directional, ensuring that everyone is both a transmitter and a receiver of the information. Effective communication strengthens our culture and drives our future success and growth. Please play your part as a member of this organization.
SMSA Announcements
Nominations for SMSA Executive Committee
Nominations and Intents-to-Run are now being accepted for 4 positions on the Executive Committee.
3 Members-At-Large Positions
Designated Representatives from State Members in good standing are eligible for election to serve as At-Large Representatives. At-Large Representatives may be from any region and will be elected in odd-numbered calendar years and will serve two-year terms.
Supporting Member Representative
Supporting Members shall elect one person as their Designated Representative who will vote on behalf of all Supporting Members and serve on the SMSA Executive Committee. Supporting Member Representatives will be elected in odd-numbered years and serve two-year terms.
Nomination/Intent-to-Run Forms must be submitted to the SMSA business office by June 1, 2025.
Elections will be done by electronic ballot prior to the 2025 Member Business Meeting. There will be no elections at the Annual Business Meeting.
SMSA Award Nominations
Do you know an SMSA individual member, state member, or supporting member that deserves to be recognized for their contributions to motorcyclist safety and/or SMSA? If so, submit a nomination form for one of the four SMSA Awards!
SMSA presents four awards during the SMSA Summit each year. These awards recognize those who are dedicated to and have made significant contributions to improve motorcyclist safety through their own activities or through their support of SMSA.
If you know of an SMSA Individual, State, and/or Supporting Member that you feel deserves to be awarded and recognized during the SMSA Summit, please submit nomination form. The Outstanding Contributions Award is not specific to SMSA members and can be given to anyone. Nominations are due to the SMSA Office by June 29!
To submit a nomination form online, follow the links below. These links can also be found on the SMSA website along with a printable form.
Committee Lane
Communications and Outreach
The last several months have been hectic for the Communications and Outreach Committee (C&O). We started with a name change, dropping “membership” and adding “outreach” to support the committee’s core mission; as one of three standing committees, Communications and Outreach is responsible for sharing the SMSA’s mission with as many people as possible while also analyzing with all the committees how to move the organization forward.
The C&O committee has also increased its volunteer ranks, with more members attending and participating in our activities. We welcome our new members and invite others motivated to join our monthly meetings and serve on or head one of our subcommittees to increase our effects.
In the past four (4) months, the group has focused on the following areas:
- Developing a promotional plan for SMSA's activities and publishing documents
- Reinvigorating the Spotlight Newsletter
- Updating and revising the SMSA Annual Membership Survey
- Summit Themes and Planning
- Analysis and update of The Guidelines for Establishing Coalitions
At the last C&O meeting, we broke into internal groups to analyze the numerous questions that make up the SMSA Annual Membership Survey or what is internally known as “The Survey.” The ongoing look is to update data collection in rider training programs across the United States for sharing and analysis with all SMSA Members. The former survey was overwhelming for the state coordinators to complete. As such, the committee is concentrating on making it easier to utilize and more user-friendly for information gathering, updating, and dissemination to the membership.
We invite those interested in participating in the C&O Committee activities to contact the Chair or the SMSA Office and express their desires.
- Chairperson: Dr. Donald L. Green
- Vice Chairperson: Denise Hanchulak
Motorcycle Safety Programs
After dedicating years to the development and subsequent publication of the SERTS, the Motorcycle Safety Programs Committee (MSP) now shifts its focus to reviewing and updating the currently published SMSA documents that support the SERTS and guide specific standard areas.
During the next meeting, the MSP will devise a strategy for this task and outline the next steps. This will involve discussions and presentations at the SMSA summit to help inform members of the SERTS's value and future applications.
Previously, the MSP discussed the feasibility of creating a tool allowing states to assess their motorcycle safety programs against the SERTS. The Self-Assessment Tool would provide states with insight into how closely their programs meet the standards outlined in the SERTS. MSP Committee Members uniformly agreed that this would be a valuable resource; however, they were evenly split, with half believing it would be worthwhile to invest the time and effort into development while the other half felt it would not be utilized sufficiently by the states to justify the investment.
What are your thoughts? Should the MSP Committee create a SERTS State Self-Assessment Tool? Yes or No? Your feedback is essential.
We encourage those interested in participating in the MSP Committee activities to contact the Chair or the SMSA Office and express their interests.
- Chairperson: Aria Minu-Sepehr
- Vice Chairperson: Keith Culver
Policy and Research
The Policy and Research Committee (P&R) has undertaken a significant effort to develop informational reports on lane splitting and the definition of a motorcycle.
Lane splitting has become legal in several states; however, little research exists on its effects on motorcyclist safety. Many organizations take different sides on the topic, yet establishing a safety position on it will be challenging without a thorough investigation.
The definition of a motorcycle differs across states and countries. Additionally, with many vehicles having fewer than four wheels, hybrid options, and the rise of micro-mobility in the industry, advancements in motorcycle manufacturing technology have significantly increased. Many people are questioning whether certain two-wheeled or three-wheeled vehicles fit within current motorcycle definitions.
The P&R Committee aims to enhance the understanding of these topics and their significance, emphasize the need for action in these areas, and serve as a catalyst for further research.
In the upcoming meeting, P&R members plan to divide into two working groups: one focusing on defining a motorcycle and the other on lane splitting. They will discuss each topic and draft informational reports for the membership and others.
We invite those interested in participating in P&R Committee activities to contact the Chair or the SMSA Office to express their interest.
- Chairperson: George Tart
- Vice Chairperson: Dr. Xu Simon
Member News
Congratulations are in Order!
Dan Petterson, long-time President and CEO of Skilled Motorcyclist Association - Responsible, Trained and Educated Riders, Inc. (SMARTER) is retiring, and Dr. Xu Simon has been elected to fill the role.
Dan and Xu have shown an outstanding commitment to motorcyclist safety, which is clearly a passion of theirs that has translated in the work that they do for SMSA and their dedication to this Association.
Congratulations to you both and best wishes!
Read more in the articles below.
Press Release: Xu Simon's Election
Dan Petterson's Announcement
Pennsylvania Excited to Host the 2025 SMSA Summit!
On March 5, SMSA's Executive Director, Brett Robinson, attended the Pennsylvania Motorcycle Interest Group meeting. Brett's presentation included an overview of who SMSA is and promoted the 2025 Summit in their backyard. Brett was met with excitement from meeting attendees who expressed interest in attending the Summit.
"I would like to thank the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation for inviting me to the Motorcycle Interest Group Meeting and for the kind welcome from attendees. While there, I commended and thanked all attendees for their participation and commitment to motorcyclist safety and commended PennDOT for bringing together stakeholders to coordinate and collaborate on the shared goal of keeping motorcyclists safe."
- Brett Robinson, SMSA Executive Director
More information on the 2025 SMSA National Motorcycle Safety Training Summit is included further down in this newsletter along with a link to the SMSA Event page.
Welcome New Supporting Member!
Riders Share is the "Airbnb for motorcycle rentals", with over 4,000 motorcycles available for rent that belong to private individuals. They released an Experiences platform to aggregate motorcycle classes and grow ridership using the same tactics that succeeded at convincing riders to share their motorcycles.
Visit Riders Share's Website
Free Motorcycle
Safety Resources
NHTSA
NHTSA’s Traffic Safety Marketing website is a great resource for all your State’s traffic safety campaigns.
SMARTER
SMARTER's website offers resources including research, information, and educational materials.
2025 SMSA
Summit
September 10-13, 2025
Sheraton Harrisburg Hershey Hotel
4650 Lindle Rd.
Harrisburg, PA 17111
The Summit will be here before you know it. Register and
reserve your hotel room now!
Get Your Message Heard!
Advertising and sponsoring are great ways to get
your company’s message heard; they provide your
company with the opportunity to introduce its
services, technology, and products to leaders in
the motorcycle safety and education industries.
To learn more, please contact the SMSA Office at
724-801-8075 or by email at office@smsa.org.
Step Into the Spotlight!
Have your article featured in the next edition of the Spotlight!
Please submit articles to the SMSA office at office@smsa.org.
Articles can showcase your state safety campaigns,
state programs, best practices, teaching techniques, new
motorcycles or other motorcycle safety related news.
Please see the SMSA Guidelines for Submitting
Spotlight Articles for more information.
Advertisements for Supporting
Members: please submit your new
advertisements that can be featured
in the Spotlight.
