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Getting Ready to Ride

Posted on Thursday April 21, 2016
Motorcycles
Our motorcycles

Rising temperatures means rising numbers of motorcycles on our roads and we want to remind you to use extra care when you hit the road. While we always want you to be careful, you should take it easy on your first few ride when you get back on your bike. And we take that advice seriously as members of the York Regional Police Traffic Bureau, along with partnering agencies, held their annual spring requalification on April 20 to make sure they are road ready after a long winter.

The requalification covered:

  • Appropriate safety equipment (helmets, protective clothing, visibility)
  • Proper maintenance on vehicles
  • Road and off-road riding
  • Always ride with a partner
  • Safety tips such as always riding with a partner, carrying a cellphone and letting someone know where you are going and when you’ll be back
  • Ensuring the off-road vehicle is suited to the rider’s size and ability
  • Making sure vehicles are tied down properly and that a trailer is securely attached when transporting or towing vehicles

For motorists, you need to make sure you double check your surroundings while driving. We want you to check blind spots twice for motorcycles before making turns or lane changes. Motorcycles often reduce their speed by down shifting which means you may not have the visual warning of a brake light when a motorcycle is slowing down. Remember, a motorcycle is a vehicle too. Motorcyclists have the right to travel in a designated lane and all vehicles must share the roadway. In the event of a collision, the driver of a motorcycle does not have the same level of protection as the driver of other vehicles. We all need to be mindful of their safety.

More than one-third of motorcycle collisions occur at intersections.  Approach slowly, ensure you look in all directions and proceed with caution. This caution applies to both motorists and motorcyclists alike.

York Regional Police is also reminding residents that go-peds, a miniature motorcycle, also referred to as a ‘pocket bike’ and other off-road vehicles are not street legal and must not be driven on the road.

We wish everyone a safe riding season.