Ride Smart- 2010 Motorcyclist Safety Conference

Ride Smart–2010 Motorcyclist Safety Conference


 The first-ever statewide motorcyclist-safety conference for Michigan motorcyclists will be held Saturday, September 11, 2010, at the Comfort Inn and Suites Conference Center in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan.

The Skilled Motorcyclist Association–Responsible, Trained & Educated Riders, Inc., (SMARTER at http://www.smarter-usa.org/) and the Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning (www.michigan.gov/ohsp) are teaming up to cosponsor the Ride Smart–2010 Motorcyclist Safety Conference.

This one-day event will feature nationally known motorcyclist-safety experts, multiple
workshops with information and riding techniques that participants can immediately implement,
door prizes, a collector patch for those who register early, lunch, refreshments, and opportunities to network with and learn from other riders.

Mark your calendar now to attend this exciting event on September 11, 2010, in Mt. Pleasant. Be a part of the solution. Join us at the Ride Smart–2010 Motorcyclist Safety Conference.


- To register using a credit card or PayPal, go to http://smartermotorcyclesafety.eventbrite.com.
- To pay by check or money order, select the applicable rate, complete the following, and mail it along with your payment to:


SMARTER
P.O. Box 121
Scottville, MI 49454-0121


□ SMARTER member early-bird registration before August 31 – $30
□ SMARTER member after August 31 – $35
□ Nonmember early-bird registration before August 31 – $40
□ Nonmember after August 31 – $45


Full Name:
Address:
Street, City, State, Zip Code:

Telephone-

  -Home including area code:
  -Work including area code:
  -Cell including area code:

E-mail address:
Please print clearly and be sure to include entire address.

For more information, e-mail: info@smarter-usa.org

Marquette Roundabout Traffic Change Thursday

July 27, 2010 -- With the majority of construction complete, the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) plans to open much of the new US-41/Front Street roundabout in Marquette to traffic this Thursday, July 29. All lanes of the roundabout are expected to be open in mid-August.

"Motorists on US-41 have had a chance the last few weeks to drive through a portion of the roundabout, but this will be the first time most of the new intersection will be open," said Andy Sikkema, manager of MDOT's Ishpeming Transportation Service Center (TSC). "As with any change to an intersection, motorists will need some time to adjust, and we urge them to be cautious as they become accustomed to it."


Until the bypass lanes from downtown Marquette to US-41 West and from US-41 to south Marquette are completed, traffic from downtown Marquette will still need to access US-41 at Grove Street.


To prepare motorists in advance on how to drive the roundabout MDOT has posted an animated video of it on MDOT's YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/MichiganDOT.


"The animation is a good way for motorists to familiarize themselves with how they'll get to their destination using the roundabout ahead of time, and reduces some of the anxiety of trying something new," Sikkema said.


A camera view of the roundabout  is available at the MDOT traffic information Web site, MI Drive. A still image of the roundabout is available.  The view looks east at the intersection toward Lake Superior, and shows the current state of the roundabout construction. Click US-41 @ Front Street Roundabout on the drop-down menu to check it out.

Construction of this modern roundabout began in early May, and is funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). Designed to reduce congestion and improve safety at the intersection, the entire project is scheduled to be completed by mid-August.
 
For more information, please contact James Lake, MDOT Office of Communications, 906-786-1830, ext. 323, lakejames@michigan.gov

AARP Driver Safety Program Offered in Newberry

The AARP Driver Safety Program is being held in Newberry, MI at Helen Newberry Joy Hospital on July 13 and 14th, from 5:30- 9:30 p.m. each day.



The AARP Driver Safety Program is designed to help you accomplish the following:

-Update your driving knowledge

-Learn defensive-driving skills

-Compensate for normal age-related physical changes

-Reduce your traffic violations, crashes, and chances for injuries

-Drive more safely


To register, or to ask questions about the Driver Safety Program, please call Jack Olson at 906-293-8467

We're Still Here! Really!

Thanks to all who commented that they haven't seen a post in a while. The Above The Bridge Blog was sidelined for a bit because of a governmental firewall issue. It hasn't quite been resolved yet, but we're going to sneak a few informational tidbits in here every once in a while until it is. See you soon!