It is illegal in Rhode Island to ride a motorcycle without a motorcycle license or permit. Getting a license requires attending a safety education and training program, offered at the Community College of Rhode Island in Warwick and Lincoln. In addition to class hours, the course requires successful completion of two 5-hour riding ranges, which are located at the college campuses.
“The safety education and riding program is outstanding and does a good job of preparing motorcycle riders for the road,” said Rep. Robert B. Jacquard (D-Dist. 17, Cranston). “But I understand that with lots of motorcycle riders enrolling in the program and with a limited amount of space, in class and on the riding range, backlogs develop and people have to wait quite some time to get their license.”
“The availability of more riding ranges would help ease the problem, but private land owners, who may have the space to accommodate a range and be willing to allow it, are understandably concerned about possible liability,” he said.
Representative Jacquard said he is not personally aware of any land owners who might want to provide space for a riding range, but he wants to pave the way for that possibility and to help reduce the backlog in the training program.
Legislation he has introduced, 2013-H 5439, would provide civil immunity to landowners who allow private property to be used for a motorcycle safety education program. The civil immunity would apply to any personal injury, wrongful death, property damage or other loss or damage that may occur during the course of instruction. It would not apply to any willful or malicious failure to warn against a known dangerous situation, use, structure or activity.
The bill is currently before the House Committee on Judiciary and is co-sponsored by Rep. Jared R. Nunes (D-Dist. 25, Coventry, West Warwick).
“If there are landowners that would be willing to provide space for these programs, and if the logistics can be worked out with the training education program, eliminating this kind of legal concern could clear the way to make more riding ranges available,” said Representative Jacquard. “Speeding on the road is not a good thing, but speeding up the permit and training program process would be beneficial to individuals waiting to get their motorcycle license.”