Motorcycle Awareness Month Starts Now

As soon as warm weather graces us here in the Pacific Northwest, motorcyclists begin emerging from their winter hibernation, and we here at BCCOM want to remind everyone that we ALL have a role to play in motorcycle safety. During what is a very unprecedented time in our history we’re being asked to physically distance ourselves from those we would normally be in close contact with.  To help do our part we are asking motorcyclists riding together to remember to keep your distance when you have reached your destination. We want to encourage everyone to still get outside and take some time to help clear their minds. Riding a motorcycle for some is a form  of therapy on two wheels and if you are out riding alone, we ask that you let someone know the route you plan to take and let notify that person when you’ve arrived home safely.   As a community lets work together to stay informed and connected even when apart, lets do our best to LOOK out for one another.

The Government of B.C. has proclaimed May as Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month,” said Claire Trevena, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure. “I urge all riders to wear the right safety gear and use extra caution at intersections. And until travel guidelines are lifted, we would like to remind all riders to stay within their own communities, as the provincial health officer has advised.”

BCCOM works hard to educate ALL road users at this time of year to LOOK out for motorcyclists so we are seen and not hurt. Motorcyclists need to do their part in helping to keep themselves safe by remembering to do the following:

• Know the rules of the road
• Be aware that riding with a passenger requires considerably more skill
• Never drink and ride
• Drive defensively, especially at intersections, where half of all collisions occur
• Watch for hazards like potholes, manhole covers, oil slicks, puddles, debris, railroad tracks and gravel
• Assume you are invisible to other motorists and position yourself to be seen
• Use headlights day and night
• Don’t speed

Motorcyclists are one of the most vulnerable groups of road users and this requires all other drivers to be on the look out. When you see a motorcyclist around you, give them more space and give yourself more reaction time. At intersections and especially when making left-hand turns remember to LOOK left, LOOK right and LOOK again. Always use your signals and shoulder check twice when switching lanes. Drop the phone and keep your eyes on the road, there is no safe way to use a cell phone and drive, even talking hands-free, drivers can miss seeing up to half of what’s around them because they are engaged in a cell phone conversation. Please pay all the riders you see on the road in the next couples of months the same care and attention you would if it were your close friends and family.

As always, our main hope for the month of May and the warm summer months that follow is to see ZERO motorcycle fatalities. Lets all work together to make this possibility come true.

Safe and happy riding to you all.

BCCOM