Michigan's roadways run the gamut from quiet country lanes to some of the busiest highways in the nation. High-speed automotive and truck traffic often puts motorcycle riders at a disadvantage on crowded roads. That's why the Michigan Secretary of State produces a Motorcycle Operator Manual, which offers everything from the nuts-and-bolts requirements of legally operating a motorcycle in Michigan to safety tips and trip planning guidance.

The 56-page booklet offers advice on wearing the right gear, choosing the right motorcycle, getting familiar with your bike's controls and handling characteristics, basic vehicle control, riding within your abilities, tips for operating in traffic and on the open road, seeing and increasing your visibility to other traffic, crash avoidance, handling dangerous surfaces, and mechanical problems.

The manual also guides you through some of the more unusual problems you might face, like animals on the road and flying objects―animate and inanimate―that you might encounter. You'll also read about how to get off the road safely, which is sometimes your best option.

Many motorcycle operators enjoy carrying passengers and riding in groups, both of which require additional skills―and both of which are covered extensively in the manual. An obvious concern is how alcohol affects an operator's ability to safely control a motorcycle. The manual makes special note of how quickly skills degrade when impaired.

The Michigan Motorcycle Operator Manual is available one chapter at a time or all at once in PDF format. You might need to first download the free Adobe Reader software, which lets you open, save, and print these files.

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