Last year, thousands of motorcyclists were involved in crashes on Arizona roads. And, of those crashes, hundreds of people died or were severely injured.

Yet, the number of riders and registrations keep climbing.

Arizona Motorcycle Safety and Awareness Foundation, the Arizona leader which first introduced discounted motorcycle training statewide more than a decade ago, is determined to help get people trained and safe.

Mick Degn, executive director of AMSAF, says statistics show that the majority of motorcycle riders have no formal training or a motorcycle license (endorsement). The fact is, a lack of proper defensive training is resulting in way too many crashes and fatalities statewide, he said.

AMSAF works closely with the state of Arizona, major healthcare providers, motorcycle-related businesses, law firms and small businesses, to help promote the program when scholarships are available.

“New and experienced riders definitely benefit from the two-day safety training in every way,” Degn said. “New riders, or those who haven’t ridden in some time, will learn the laws and how to ride safely through the AMSAF scholarship program with the Basic Rider Course. It is a win-win for motorcycle riders and will help reduce the number of crashes and fatalities on our roads. Now is the time to move our statistics in a positive direction along with efforts to reduce driver and rider distracted driving.”

AMSAF receives grants from the Arizona Governor’s Office of Highway Safety, among other sources and donations.

Grants, which support AMSAF’s mission to boost awareness of motorcyclists while reducing rider fatalities and injuries, provides motorcycle rider training classes to the public through the scholarship program. The organization also is a leader in communicating the critical importance of reducing distracted driving.

The goal of nonprofit AMSAF is to reduce motorcycle crashes and fatalities in Arizona through education and awareness. The organization provides motorcycle training scholarships to individuals 15-1/2 years and older who need training and certification in the state of Arizona.

For more information about the novel motorcycle training scholarship and other AMSAF programs and to apply for a scholarship, visit AMSAF at www.amsaf.org or call 888-951-3731.