The sun is shining, and the open road beckons.
With warm weather hopefully here to stay, drivers can expect to see many more motorcyclists out on the roads.
Many believe there’s no better experience than riding down the highway with the wind in your hair, but sadly, too many riders don’t make it home safely.
Provincial police report that six individuals have already lost their lives on Ontario roads this year.
“It’s one of the best feelings in the world; you don’t really get any other experience like it. The smells, the temperature changes, the wind in your face-it’s sensory overload at times, but it’s amazing; it’s one of the best feelings,” says Aaron Conrad from Sturgess Cycle Ltd. in Hamilton.
However, Conrad emphasizes that enjoying this sensation means being alert to your surroundings and paying attention to other drivers on the road.
“We believe here that every time you go for a ride, you should be as defensive as possible. Many people get careless with space and speed. It’s not just about how fast you’re going but also how quickly you need to stop,” Conrad explains.
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Patrick Hamilton has been riding for around ten years now and notes that while most motorcyclists follow safety rules, those who don’t give all riders a bad reputation.
“I’ve been riding my bike on the highway; I’ve seen people splitting lanes. It’s risky-I wouldn’t recommend it, and it’s illegal too. Sometimes they can ruin things a bit for everyone else,” says Hamilton.
At Kelly’s Cycle Centre on Hamilton Mountain, they’re hosting a demo day where motorcycle riders can try out different bikes for a spin.
Larry Kelly states that while each rider is ultimately responsible for their own safety, car drivers also need to keep an eye out for bikers.
“As a motorcycle rider, I feel like it’s up to us to be more aware. Drivers are insulated where they are; they’ve got their windows up, music playing, and air conditioning running,” Kelly explains. “They’re quite separated from that ride feeling-on a motorcycle we’re very connected-and while we should take responsibility ourselves, car drivers must also be vigilant.”
Sgt. Kerry Schmidt with Ontario Provincial Police’s Highway Safety Division mentions that 411 motorcyclists have died over the past decade and six have died so far this year.
<p“One sobering statistic is that about one-third of those motorcyclists who died were following traffic rules properly. This suggests that it was another driver involved in these situations causing collisions and ultimately leading to those deaths,” Schmidt shared.
The subject of lane splitting came up as well; according to OPP officials, it’s completely illegal and very dangerous.
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