With the warmer weather, motorcycle enthusiasts are taking their bikes for a spin after a long winter of hog hibernation. Along with the open road, motorcyclists have their safety to consider.

The incidence of motorcycle collisions have been on the rise in recent years - from 202 in 2000 to 304 in 2004, according to the latest Saskatchewan Traffic Safety figures. The increase follows the trend of motorcycle and moped fatalities across Canada that saw a rise from 157 deaths in 2001 to 234 in 2005, accounting for eight per cent of all traffic fatalities.

Regina had its first motorcycle incident this week. On Monday, a 66-year-old motorcyclist was killed after he collided with a gravel truck. Further details have not been released. The female passenger is still in hospital.

"You have to be so aware of what's going on around you," he advised. "It's very easy for motorcycles to get into a blind spot of other cars."

The motorcycle involved in Monday's fatal accident parked along the side of the road after the incident. (Roy Antal, Leader-Post)

With a motorcycle, safety accoutrements are limited to equipment like helmets, jackets, boots and gloves - not much stands between the rider and serious injury in case of an accident.

It’s not like a car where you have steel around you and airbags," said Patrick Kurtz, the Saskatchewan Safety Council’s traffic division co-ordinator.

Kurtz stresses that attitude is an invaluable appendage to have when riding a motorcycle safely and responsibly - and not the snarled upper lip, bad-to-the-bone kind either.

"You have to be so aware of what’s going on around you," he advised. "It’s very easy for motorcycles to get into a blind spot of other cars."

Kevin Denouden, director of the Saskatchewan Motorcycle Association, put it more bluntly.

"Treat everybody like they’re out there to kill you," he said. "Treat everything as a potential risk and take precautions."

Kurtz suggests that motorcyclists should always ensure that there is enough space around them, called "gates."

"Make sure you have somewhere you can go if something happens," he continued. "You really need to practise defensive driving."

Navigating the road is a shared responsibility for all drivers, Kurtz said.

"As a rider, you need to be responsible for your own safety," he added.

This means donning the appropriate gear.

"A lot of motorcyclists are riding around with minimal helmet and without even a decent jacket on ... It’s not necessarily a matter of when you’re going to go down, but just being prepared for it," he said.

Denouden also warns motorcyclists to be wary of the accumulated gravel on the road, now that the snow has melted.

The gravel will eventually be cleared away - but one thing Denouden hopes to see is more awareness campaigns for drivers to become more conscious of motorcyclists sharing the road with them.

Taken from the Tuesday, April 24th edition of the Leader Post
© Leader-Post 2007

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