Gear up for a safe motorcycling season

[guest]

Now that the warmer weather is here, it’s time to get some quality rides in on your bike. But make sure you come back safe and sound. Mentally prepare yourself for every ride. And remember that as a motorcyclist, your smaller size makes you harder for drivers to see and to judge your approaching speed. Even a minor collision or fall can result in major injuries.

Both motorists and motorcyclists have a responsibility to keep our roads safe for each other and everyone else.

Motorists – pay extra attention and watch for motorcyclists

• Give motorcycles the same space all around as you would a car or truck
• Keep a safe distance behind motorcycles and never tailgate – not only does this increase the risk of hitting the motorcycle if it slows down suddenly, but it also hides the motorcycle from the view of other motorists
• Motorcycles use a full lane - treat them like other vehicles
• Check your mirrors and blind spots frequently, especially before changing lanes -a motorcycle is small enough to be entirely hidden within your blind spot
• When making a left turn, give extra space for approaching motorcycles as they may be closer and approaching faster than you think
• If pulling out to pass a motorcycle, be aware that the gust of wind from your acceleration could cause the motorcycle to become unstable; make sure you are several car lengths ahead of the motorcycle before returning to the same lane
• Pay special attention at intersections; between 2019 and 2023, there were 31 collisions at intersections that resulted in motorcyclists being seriously injured or killed by left-turning vehicles

Motorcyclists - make sure you’re seen

As a rider, assume you’re invisible. Practice your defensive riding skills so they become second nature. Assume you can’t be seen by other drivers. Don't think that having the right of way means it’s safe for you to proceed. Always make sure the way is safe:

• Put yourself in the best position to always be visible to drivers
• Be aware of driver’s blind spots so you can avoid them
• Watch the drivers around you to anticipate their moves; assume every vehicle is a threat until you determine it isn’t
• Be on the lookout for vehicles turning left when you are proceeding through an intersection; this is a high-risk situation for motorcyclists
• Use your horn to alert other road users who might not see you or if you suspect a driver hasn’t seen you; try to make eye contact
• Be predictable to other road users; for example, when travelling in heavy traffic, stay in the same lane as much as possible
• Treat other road users – cars, bicycles, pedestrians, etc. – with the caution and respect you expect from them (which means don’t speed, don’t weave around them, etc.)

Free Training

Even the most seasoned riders can benefit from more training. Investing time in a training course can literally save your life.

Part of the 2025 implementation plan for the City’s Road Safety Action Plan includes a fully subsidized motorcycle safety course which is offered every spring for Ottawa-area riders. To register, contact sro@ottawa.ca. To participate, you’ll need an M2 license or higher at the time of registration. You’ll also need to bring your own motorcycle. The course will teach you valuable tools and techniques including:

• Motorcycle maintenance and pre-ride safety check
• Proper riding gear, position and communications
• Hazard identification and response
• Emergency braking (brake balancing) and swerving to avoid obstacles and collisions
• Intersection strategies
• Surviving and preventing high risk situations

Wear the right gear

Besides a helmet, which is mandatory by law, protective gear for the rest of your body can literally save your skin.

• Wear all the gear all the time, even if you’re just hopping on the bike for a quick errand
• Your street clothing will disintegrate on impact with asphalt, exposing your skin to cuts, gravel rash and friction burns which are painful, slow to heal and can lead to infection
• Riders wearing protective clothing are less likely to be admitted to hospital after a crash
• Buy the safest protective gear you can afford
• Consider adding extra lights to the front and rear of the bike, and adding a brake light to your helmet

Types of collisions

The three most common motorcycle collision types are:

1. Single motor vehicle (meaning no other vehicles were involved). The main causes include:
   1. Loss of control
   2. Exceeding the speed limit
   3. Riding too fast for the conditions
2. Rear-end
3. Left turn opposing (a vehicle turning left and a motorcycle proceeding straight through)

Between 2019 and 2023, 80 collisions resulted in motorcyclists being killed or seriously injured.

The City of Ottawa continues to make improvements to the safety of our roads with an emphasis on protecting vulnerable users – pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists. The City’s 2020-2024 Road Safety Action Plan guides these engineering, education and enforcement initiatives. But even the safest transportation network requires that everyone follows the rules of the road for their mode of transportation.

Related topics

• Road safety
• Motorcyclists

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