Motorcycle Ohio, a program of the Ohio Traffic Safety Office, is celebrating the opening of its newest motorcycle rider training site at the Kent State 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 – 39 of those crashes resulted in at least one fatality.
“Motorcycle crashes are preventable, and proper training is key to saving lives,” said Michele Piko, the program coordinator for Motorcycle Ohio. “We’ve made some progress in reducing motorcycle fatalities, but we still have a long way to go. This new resource at Kent State Stark will help raise awareness of motorcycle safety for the entire community.”
“Kent State Stark is honored to serve as a community partner for Motorcycle Ohio and the Stark County Sheriff’s Office,” said Kent State University at Stark Dean James Hannon, Ph.D. “Educational partnerships like this strengthen public safety, expand access to valuable training opportunities and demonstrate the important role regional campuses play in serving Northeast Ohio.”
A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held today at the Kent State Stark Conference Center with remarks from Motorcycle Ohio State Program Coordinator Michele Piko, Kent State Stark Interim Dean and CAO James C. Hannon, and Stark County Sheriff Eric Weisburn.
“Safe riding starts with great training, making this site a valuable resource for Stark County riders,” said Stark County Sheriff Eric Weisburn. “Once properly trained, I urge riders to stay endorsed, wear proper gear, follow traffic laws, and always ride safely and defensively.”
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 Kent State Stark campus is now open and available at motorcycle.ohio.gov.
ABOUT MOTORCYCLE OHIO:
Since 1988, Motorcycle Ohio has provided Ohio’s 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 Kent State Stark, Motorcycle Ohio courses are being taught at 36 training sites and 15 private providers around Ohio. To find out more about Ohio’s courses, contact the Motorcycle Ohio office at 1-800-837-4337 or visit motorcycle.ohio.gov.
Photo: Dr. James Hannon, dean, Kent State 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.