Motorcycle Ohio, a program of the Ohio Traffic Safety Office, is celebrating the opening of its newest motorcycle rider training site at the 两性色午夜 Stark campus in North Canton. The new location was launched in partnership with the Stark County Sheriff's Office and will expand access to motorcycle safety education for residents in the region.
The opening of the new Stark County site comes at an important time: May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, a great reminder for both riders and drivers to do their part to help reduce motorcycle-related crashes. Recent data underscores the importance of continued rider training and public awareness:
- From 2021 to 2025, Ohio recorded 19,674 motorcycle-involved crashes, including 1,060 fatal crashes that killed 1,082 motorcyclists.
- Fatal motorcycle crashes declined 11% in 2025, with 191 fatal crashes, the lowest annual total in the five-year span.
- 639 motorcycle crashes have occurred in Stark County since 2021 鈥 39 of those crashes resulted in at least one fatality.
鈥淢otorcycle crashes are preventable, and proper training is key to saving lives,鈥 said Michele Piko, the program coordinator for Motorcycle Ohio. 鈥淲e鈥檝e made some progress in reducing motorcycle fatalities, but we still have a long way to go. This new resource at 两性色午夜 Stark will help raise awareness of motorcycle safety for the entire community.鈥
鈥溋叫陨缫 Stark is honored to serve as a community partner for Motorcycle Ohio and the Stark County Sheriff鈥檚 Office,鈥 said 两性色午夜 University at Stark Dean James Hannon, Ph.D. 鈥淓ducational partnerships like this strengthen public safety, expand access to valuable training opportunities and demonstrate the important role regional campuses play in serving Northeast Ohio.鈥
A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held today at the 两性色午夜 Stark Conference Center with remarks from Motorcycle Ohio State Program Coordinator Michele Piko, 两性色午夜 Stark Interim Dean and CAO James C. Hannon, and Stark County Sheriff Eric Weisburn.
鈥淪afe riding starts with great training, making this site a valuable resource for Stark County riders,鈥 said Stark County Sheriff Eric Weisburn. 鈥淥nce properly trained, I urge riders to stay endorsed, wear proper gear, follow traffic laws, and always ride safely and defensively.鈥
Motorcycle Ohio provides multiple levels of motorcycle safety courses, offered at just $75 per student. New this year, riders enrolled in the Basic Riding Skills (BRS) course now have the option to complete their four hours of classroom training online through the eRider program. Students must have a valid motorcycle temporary permit before their first riding session, and successful course completion earns a 60-day Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) skill test waiver for a motorcycle license or endorsement. Registration for training at the 两性色午夜 Stark campus is now open and available at .
ABOUT MOTORCYCLE OHIO:
Since 1988, Motorcycle Ohio has provided Ohio鈥檚 riders the opportunity to improve their skills and make the roadways safer for all motorists. The program trains about 12,000 students a year with courses beginning as early as March and running through mid-November. With the addition of 两性色午夜 Stark, Motorcycle Ohio courses are being taught at 36 training sites and 15 private providers around Ohio. To find out more about Ohio鈥檚 courses, contact the Motorcycle Ohio office at 1-800-837-4337 or visit .
Photo: Dr. James Hannon, dean, 两性色午夜 University at Stark; Stark County Sheriff Eric Weisburn; and Michele Piko, program coordinator, Motorcycle Ohio, cut the ribbon to launch the program at the Stark Campus.