Motorcycle season is here and the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC) is asking riders and drivers to do their part to prevent crashes and share the roads together safely.

According to the ICBC motorcycle craurbazonshes significantly increase from May to September with 212 people injured in crashes with motorcyclists each month.

“We know motorcyclists are enthusiastic about seeing our beautiful province by bike and we want to help keep them safe this season,” said Shabnem Afzal, ICBC’s director of road safety. “As a rider, wear gear every time you ride. Riders and drivers need to stay focused on the road, leave plenty of space, and choose safe speeds to prevent crashes.”

ICBC has offered the following tips for drivers:

  • Six out of ten crashes involving a motorcycle in BC happen at an intersection. Stay alert, scan intersections carefully and take an extra moment to look for motorcycles when you’re turning left. They can be harder to see than vehicles – especially for large trucks.
  • The top contributing factor for drivers in motorcycle crashes is distraction followed by speed and following too closely. Stay alert, travel at a safe speed and allow at least three or four seconds of following distance when behind a motorcycle. When passing a motorcyclist, leave at least one metre of space or 1.5 metres when on a highway with a speed limit over 50 km/h.
  • Be ready to yield as a motorcycle is often closer than it seems and it can be hard to tell how fast they’re travelling.

ICBC has offered the following tips for riders:

  • If you’re getting on a bike after a long break, it’s important to refresh your skills before riding again.
  • The top contributing factor for motorcyclists in crashes is distraction followed by speed and rider error/confusion. It’s important to stay focused on the road and drive at a safe speed that leaves enough time to stop or steer out of a vehicle’s path if necessary and reduce your risk of crashing.
  • When you wear protective gear, you’re less likely to be seriously injured in a crash so make sure you wear gear every time you ride.
  • Never assume a driver has seen you or will give you the right-of-way, they may not accurately judge your distance or speed. Do your best to stay out of a driver’s blind spot.
  • Use your signals to let drivers know what you plan to do so they can anticipate your next move and react in time.