Police are urging motorcycle riders, especially those who have not ridden in a while, to take a course and practice their skills.
B.C. RCMP report an increase in motorcycle fatalities over the past three years. Over the past eighteen months, the majority of victims in fatal motorcycle crashes have been men, and the 40 to 69 age group is most at risk.
“Riders who have had their Class 6 license for 40 years but haven’t ridden for over 20 years think they have the skills of an experienced rider. Nothing could be further from the truth,” said Constable John Belanger, RCMP Motorcycle Operator with the North Island Traffic Services.
The majority of the fatal accidents are attributed to motorcycle rider error on highway and do not involve another vehicle. This means riders have the power to mitigate their own risks and police are urging drivers to recognize their limitations and take action before it is too late.
Motorcycle riders who have not ridden in many years need to recognize that their riding skills are perishable and they need to take a course. Riding a motorcycle after many years is not as simple as getting back on a bicycle.
Photo Credit: RCMP
Losing control on corners, speeding, and inattention are major contributing factors for motorcycle fatalities on B.C. highways.
“Big bikes are losing control on highway curves. The skills required to negotiate these curves at higher speed is called counter steering. Riders who do not take a course to learn counter steering and practice this essential skill in a controlled environment are at great risk,” said Reserve Constable Dave Cramm, an ICBC accredited motorcycle instructor.
Police across the province are taking proactive measures to support riders and help improve their skills. For example, over 100 riders attended a motorcycle cone course held by RCMP in Burnaby, and 85 per cent of riders were shocked to see how minimal their skill level truly was.
For more information on motorcycle safety, visit the ICBC website.
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