A comprehensive plan for reducing motorcycle-related deaths, injuries and economic losses is presented. The three-phase plan is concerned with motorcycle operator education/training and licensing improvement. Significant efforts are cited at all levels of government and in the private sector during this decade in the United States.

Phase one reports early research and development (1973-1975) creating the Motorcycle Task Analysis and related studies and documentation. The relationship of accident data to task analysis is drawn. Recommendations for improvement in motorcycle accident data reporting systems are given.

Phase two describes a current demonstration project (1975-1978) funded by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in motorcycle operator licensing improvement.

Phase three cites current and anticipated (1978-1982) efforts to implement and evaluate the accident countermeasure potential of a quality motorcycle rider education course.

Throughout the paper three themes are evident:​ (1) the validity and effectiveness of program implementation and change is directly related to antecedent research and development;​ (2) successful public-private sector traffic safety efforts are rare but possible;​ (3) with sufficient long-range planning and institutional commitment, cost effective accident reduction measures can be developed, tested and proven or disproven in actual practice.