The Motorcyclists Confederation of Canada (MCC) is thrilled to announce the start of Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, which runs annually from May 1 to May 31, to promote a better and safer riding experience for all.
“Motorcycling is a great sport and recreational activity and riders can do a few simple things like riding sober, keeping their speed in check and riding according to their abilities,” said MCC chair, David Millier. “It’s also important to remind motorists that motorcycles are back on the road so motorists use extra caution and look twice when making left-hand turns. And when having fun on the trails, riding with a friend and having a plan is key to a having a great day of fun.”
For 2016, MCC has launched Ride Smart to Ride Again to raise awareness about the importance of safety as the motorcycling season gets underway.
The recreational motorcycling community in Canada is made up of both on-road and off-road riders. The Ride Smart to Ride Again campaign asks riders to take these actions to help them come home safe:
- Ride sober
- Be alert for left-turning vehicles
- Watch your speed
- Make a plan, be prepared, share the plan
- Build skills and confidence, take a course
“We want everyone to have a great and safe riding season in 2016,” said Millier. “May is a time to redouble our safety efforts, celebrate the many benefits of motorcycling and remind other motorists to keep an eye out for us.”
Messages for on-road riders:
- Ride sober: Impaired driving kills. Period. As with so many other forms of driving, drugs and alcohol severely impair judgement and reaction time leading to serious injury and death. There’s never a good excuse to toke or drink before operating a motorcycle or any other motorized vehicle.
- Watch your speed: Speed kills. Yes, motorcycles are fast but that does not give you permission to disregard speed limits or to overlook your responsibility to ride according to traffic, weather conditions or your ability.
- Riding at night takes extra care: Darkness makes it more difficult for other motorists to see you and it makes it more difficult for you to anticipate dangers. Be extra alert at night and slow down.
- Wildlife is a fact of life: Wild animals like deer, moose or elk are unpredictable and are especially dangerous when they step out on the road in front of a motorcyclist. Keep your speed down in areas where wildlife are common and if you spot wildlife use extra care.
Messages for off-road riders:
- Make a plan, share the plan: Before you ride make a plan that includes where you are going and when you expect to return, then make sure your family and friends are aware of your plan in case they need to come looking for you. Bring your mobile phone.
- Ride with a buddy: In the event of a crash or breakdown having someone with you to provide assistance could make the difference between life and death.
- Wear the right gear: Think about the weather and terrain you’ll be riding in and make sure to wear proper gear including a helmet, eye protection and body armour.
- Set an example when you ride: Peer pressure and a little common sense help ensure that off-road riders have safe places to ride in the future. Conduct yourself the way you want to see others conduct themselves.
- Build skills and confidence by taking a course: Education and training is available for new riders who want to get into off-road riding or to improve their skills.
- Start them off right: Young people should have direct adult supervision and should only ride size- and age-appropriate motorcycles.
The MCC is the national not-for-profit advocacy organization for the promotion of motorcycling safety and interests.
For more information on the Ride Smart to Ride Again campaign, visit the website, and stay connected with the campaign by following along on Twitter and Facebook for updates, events and safety tips.
To find a motorcycle riding refresher course near you, see this list of Motorcycle Training Schools in Western Canada on RidersWest.