RoadSmart Report | April, 2007

A fun summer is a safe summer

With the return of warmer weather comes the return of vehicles with only two wheels – motorcycles and bicycles.

Cycling and riding a motorcycle are fun, but they can also be dangerous. Last year, two bicyclists and five motorcyclists were killed on Saskatchewan roads.

It is recommended that all cyclists:

• Always wear a helmet
• Ride single file on the right-hand side of the road
• Use arm signals when turning or changing lanes
• Look both ways before crossing the street
• Obey traffic lights and signs
• Ride either well ahead of or well behind vehicles

To enjoy a safe season, motorcycle riders should:

• Always wear a helmet
• Maintain a safe riding speed
• Keep at least three seconds’ distance between themselves and the vehicle ahead
• Use the entire width of their lane like all other vehicles, constantly changing positions in the lane in order to increase the ability to see and to be seen

All vehicle operators should realize how vulnerable two-wheeled vehicles can be. Vehicle operators should learn to share the road with motorcycles and cyclists so that crashes, and in turn deaths and injuries, can be avoided.

SGI strongly recommends that all motorcycle riders take a training course. The Saskatchewan Safety Council has instructors all over the province. For more information, call the Council at (306) 757-3197.

Other SGI certified motorcycle training courses are also available from:

• Redline Riding School Ltd.
  Saskatoon, Sask.
  Telephone: (306) 934-2750
• Saskatoon Motorcycle Training Course Corp.
  Saskatoon, Sask.
  Telephone: (306) 270-7433

Contact:
Shannon Ell
Manager, Traffic Safety Promotion
SGI
Regina
(306) 775-6179