CONREP Classes Being Canceled Due to Continued Fee Fight

It’s a frustrating situation for site administrators and instructors of Connecticut Rider Education Program motorcycle training courses, and distressing one for those wanting to take the classes, as a reported course pricing standoff between CT State Community College and CONREP apparently continues with nary a word on a possible solution.

Enrollment for courses, particularly the Basic Rider Course which aspiring motorcyclists are required to take to get an “M” endorsement (for “motorcycle”) on their driver’s license, has been delayed at seven locations around the state. The classes are conducted by five community colleges and were scheduled to start as early as late March. Some have already been canceled and more cancellations are anticipated with no way of knowing when enrollment might open.

John Purdy Jr., who is CONREP’s site administrator at Naugatuck Valley Community College in Waterbury, said that he’s constantly hearing from those who want to enroll. “Between emails and phone calls at least 30 a day,” he said Tuesday.

Classes at NVCC were scheduled to start the weekend of April 18-19, but are now seemingly up in the air with no word on when enrollment might start. “Three other training sites should have started their classes already,” Purdy said.

CT State wants to implement a massive 46 percent price hike for the BRC – to $350. CONREP has proposed a modest increase to $260 from the $240 that has been charged for the past three years. The conflict has been ongoing since January.

Last year, CONREP ran 196 BRC classes with 2,127 students passing, according to season-end accountng. The delay in the start of this year’s classes is concerning as it may result in prospective riders heading out on two wheels without proper training – endangering both themselves and other motorists. This would be the case whether the rider had a learner’s permit or was riding illegally.

Since 2011, the state has required aspiring riders to pass a training course to get an M endorsement. CONREP is the primary source for courses but Mike’s Famous Harley-Davidson in New London offers H-D’s Rider’s Edge classes for $395. Last year, Mike’s Famous conducted 90 entry-level classes with 581 students passing.

RIDE-CT this afternoon sought a status report on the standoff from CT State, CONREP and the state Department of Transportation, which oversees CONREP, via email and and phone but did not receive any immediate responses.

An initial RIDE-CT story on March 30, Melissa Lamar, CT State’s director of media and public relations, said in an email that “…enrollment fees for the upcoming season have not yet been finalized, and we are not able to confirm specific pricing information at this time.”

She added, “CT State is finalizing discussions with the Connecticut Department of Transportation, our motorcycle training partner. We value our ongoing partnership with the Connecticut Department of Transportation and appreciate the collaboration as we work together to support a high-quality, accessible training program.

“Once these discussions are complete, CT State will make the class schedule available and share final program details. Additional information will be released as soon as it becomes available.”

That was nine days ago.

Meanwhile, with the spring weather improving, more and more riders are getting out. At least two riders have already died in crashes on state roads – one in Griswold and another in Prospect.

In a press release issued today, the private ambulance company American Medical Response (AMR) reported that “crews in New Haven are reporting a sharp increase in motorcycle-related emergencies. Since the start of the season, AMR teams have already treated patients from 18 separate motorcycle accidents, as the shift in season draws more riders onto New Haven roads. 

“Based on what crews are seeing in the field, these incidents often involve high level trauma that requires immediate, advanced life support transportation. AMR New Haven encourages riders to eliminate distractions, always obey speed limits, and to stay alert; as this makes all the difference.”

(CONREP training photos from RIDE-CT archives.)