Motorcycle safety courses through the North Dakota Motorcycle Safety Program are over for 2008. Anyone wishing to take a course in 2009 should visit www.ndmsp.com in February 2009 for schedules and registration.

Full-time training sites are located in Bismarck, Fargo, Grand Forks and Minot. Mobile units travel to other North Dakota cities to offer the courses.

The classes follow Motorcycle Safety Foundation curriculum, Michael Jay of ABATE of North Dakota said. Such curriculum is used in every state, Dean Thompson, spokesperson for the MSF, said.

The Basic RiderCourse takes 18 hours to complete and costs $50. The Experienced RiderCourse lasts four to six hours and costs $40.

In 2009, a scooter course will be available, which also will cost $50. Jay said people riding 50cc or bigger scooters are required by law to have motorcycle endorsements on their licenses.

"They need training as much as motorcycles,"he said.

Thompson advises people to return for refresher courses. Just as a baseball player couldn't return after a prolonged time off and hit a 90 mph fastball, riders who haven't ridden in awhile may need to practice before getting on the streets.

"Like anything in life that involves a skill, it diminishes over time,"he said.

Jay said $10 from every motorcycle registration in the state goes to ABATE to fund the safety programs. Other money to back the courses comes from ABATE, he said.

For more information, contact ABATE of North Dakota at 223-5609 or toll-free at 1-800-726-4094.

- Jenny Michael