The MMIC, its members and its partners would like to recognize the Motorcyclists Confederation of Canada “May is Motorcycle Safety Month Campaign”.

The MMIC, its members and its partners would like to recognize the Motorcyclists Confederation of Canada “May is Motorcycle Safety Month Campaign”. The official campaign begins May 1^st across Canada. Unofficially safety is a concern 365 days a year.

To a rider safety means many things. A pre-ride inspection should happen even before you turn the key. Getting geared up with the proper protective riding equipment should happen before you thumb the starter button or kick your bike to life. Always dress for the slide, not just the ride! Once on the road a motorcyclist has to be super aware of their surroundings. Using SIPDE to Survey your environment, Identify hazards, Predict scenarios, Decide your course of action and finally Execute evasive maneuvers where required.

To be the best rider you can be you need to practise your riding skills. The best racers in the world practise so there must be something to it. Many of the riding courses have refresher classes or you can find a vacant parking lot. Practise braking, turning and emergency stops. Make your SIPDE a subconscious mechanism so your conscious brain can enjoy the ride.

To other motorists and road users the campaign is a call to awareness. A high percentage of motorcycle crashes are the result of another vehicle. Too many times the response is “I didn’t see the motorcycle”. Eyes must be trained to identify items. When you buy a new car, suddenly you realize how many of that model exists. Wow, they’ve always been there you just never noticed. It’s the same with motorcycles, they are there but maybe your eyes aren’t trained to see them. Make May your challenge to take notice of motorcycles.

They say it takes 21 days to make something a habit. Let’s make May your new habit for safety and awareness.

SAFETY PLEDGE CHALLENGE

1. Go to https://www.motorcycling.ca/resources/ to print out your copy of the Pledge.
2. Choose your Pledge and take your picture with the Pledge sheet.
3. Go to https://www.motorcycling.ca/safety-campaign/ and make it official “Take the Safety Pledge”. Upload your smiley picture and place your pin on the map.
4. Post your picture on your social media with the hashtag #MotorcycleSafetyPledge and use the @motorcyclistsconfederationofcanada symbol to share on the MCC social media site.
5. Tag 5 friends in your post and challenge them to take the Pledge and repeat steps 1 through 5.