Director says Motorcycle Ohio program trains ~400 riders a year on $115,000 average grant funding

At the board meeting, commissioners proclaimed May Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month and introduced Dave Spotton, director of the Motorcycle Ohio program at Lakeland Community College.

Spotton told the board the program has operated at Lakeland since 1991 and he has run it since 2000. He said the program trains about 400 students a year and receives grant support largely funded by motorcycle registration fees; his remarks referenced "about $115,000 on average a year" in grants. Spotton described course formats: a three-day basic program that grants a completion card and a returning-rider one-day program that provides a skill-test waiver allowing students to obtain a license at the DMV without a separate skills test.

Commissioners praised the program's safety instruction and accessibility; one commissioner proposed a community art project to design a Lake County-themed motorcycle helmet for next year's observance. The board noted classes typically fill quickly and registration information is available at the state Motorcycle Ohio website.