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Motorcycle awareness urged |
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Written by FRANK PEEBLES
Citizen staff
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Friday, 09 May 2008 |
Paulette Giesbrecht from Williams Lake is instructed by Jack Giannisis from Prince George Learn To Ride. Students were training for defensive motorcycle riding and practising for the Motorcycle Skills Test in the CN Centre parking lot. (Citizen photo by David Mah)
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The weather pushed the usual motorcycle activity back several weeks, with some sporadic riding happening on the rare warm day before this past week.
Authorities warn drivers that a wave of bikers will now be out there making up for lost time, so watch out and drive with caution.
Bikers are warned by authorities that they need to take it carefully until you get your cycle senses built up again, and that the road conditions aren't perfect yet.
"There is still a lot of gravel on the road and some huge potholes which are dangerous to motorcyclists," said RCMP Cpl. Bob Verbree of Prince George traffic unit. "We are out of the ice but just three days ago it was minus-3 overnight and that will produce frost. You still have to dress properly for the cold wind."
Verbree said he has not yet taken the RCMP's 2003 Harley-Davidson Road King out on patrol yet because of the road conditions.
Prince George-Mount Robson MLA Shirley Bond was out on a hog last week, albeit at the legislature, but it was for the same purposes Verbree was talking about.
"I climbed onto the back of a Harley-Davidson, held on for dear life and took a lunchtime ride around downtown Victoria with my colleague MLA Blair Lekstrom," Bond said. "The ride is in recognition of May being Motorcycle Awareness Month. Motorists are encouraged to try and be aware of motorcycles on the road and be extra cautious."
Motorcycle crashes are on the rise in B.C., according to Allan Lamb, BCAA Traffic Safety Foundation’s executive director. He said it is time for all riders and drivers to pay attention and be aware of each other.
“Motorcycles are not easily seen," Lamb said. "Many crashes involving motorcycles are due to speed, but a significant number occur at intersections where drivers fail to yield to the right of way of the motorcycle.”
Data from the chief coroner of B.C. indicates that 341 motorcycle riders were killed in B.C. between 1998 and 2007. While 25 riders were killed in 1998, 44 riders were killed in 2007.
Lamb and Verbree agree that experience plays a big role in motorcycle rider safety. Verbree said it is a common mistake for new riders to chose bikes that are too heavy or have too big an engine for their formative years on a cycle.
Lamb had data that said during the 10-year period from 1998 to 2007, 86 of the 341 fatalities were motorcycle riders aged 16 to 25.
"Given that motorcycle riders in that age group account for only an estimated 2.4 per cent of licensed motorcyclists, this means that this group had a fatality rate approximately 1,200 per cent higher that those over age 25," said Lamb.
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INFO BOX
The BCAA Traffic Safety Foundation offers some tips for staying safe on a motorcycle:
? Make eye contact - make sure that the other driver or rider sees you
? Pay attention - pay attention to the signals of other drivers and make your intention clear.
? Watch for left turning vehicles at intersections
? Be aware of hazardous road conditions - wet roads, sand, gravel, potholes and other hazards may cause a motorcycle to fall.
? Pay attention to posted speeds and watch the road ahead - reduce speed on curves and watch for oncoming vehicles. Many crashes happen when a rider overshoots the road ahead or crosses the centre line.
? Wear protective clothing - wear clothing designed for motorcycle riders that is “armoured” bright and reflective.
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Last Updated ( Friday, 09 May 2008 )
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Actually there are two of them.
WOnder if I could set up a hot dog stand there for free?