Motorcyclists are more than three times more likely to be injured or killed in a crash in British Columbia compared to those in passenger vehicles, according to the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC).
Now, with the arrival of motorcycle season, ICBC is asking riders to freshen up their skills before their first trip and for drivers to look for and share the roads with motorcyclists and other vulnerable road users.
ICBC said motorcyclists were significantly overrepresented in fatalities on BC roads with motorcycles making up only four per cent of insured vehicles in BC, yet riders account for 14 per cent of deaths on the roads.
“We’re asking drivers to stay alert, leave plenty of following distance, and take an extra moment to look for motorcycles and other vulnerable road users when turning left,” said Kathleen Nadalin, ICBC road safety manager.
“As a rider, practice low-speed skills like emergency braking and obstacle avoidance before your first ride, wear protective gear on every trip, and don’t assume a driver has seen you and will yield the right-of-way, they may not be accurately judging your distance or speed.”
