New Rules for Motorcyclists Being Examined

Friday, March 19, 2010 03:57 AM

Additional motorcycle safety measures recommended by a B.C. Coroners Service (BCCS) death review panel are helping to inform legislation and regulatory changes currently being considered by the Province, said Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General Kash Heed.

"It's clear that with more riders on the road, motorcycle safety is an area where improvements need to be made, and that's what this government is going to do," said Heed. "These findings and recommendations from the B.C. Coroners Service further support our ongoing work to protect motorcycle riders by reducing the risks they currently face."

Between 2000 and 2007, 286 motorcycle-related deaths were reported to the BCCS. In light of the rising number of fatalities, B.C.'s chief coroner convened a death review panel on motorcycle fatalities in November 2008.

The panel made nine recommendations aimed at preventing similar tragedies in the future including:

* Require mandatory industry certification for all motorcycle helmets.
* Establish a graduated-licence program for new riders.
* Implement a zero-tolerance blood-alcohol policy for new riders.
* Issue a different-coloured licence plate to motorcyclists who hold a learner's licence.
* Re-evaluate existing standards for training schools and instructor certification.
* Expand the scope of coroner's investigations involving motorcycle deaths to include more data and compile it in a specific section for better analysis in the future.

The recommendations were directed to the Office of the Superintendent of Motor Vehicles (OSMV), the BCCS and the Insurance Corporation of B.C. (ICBC).

A statistical review was carried out on all 286 deaths and a more in-depth analysis was conducted on six of the cases. Panel members included representatives from the BCCS, police, ICBC, OSMV, B.C. Coalition of Motorcyclists, B.C. and Canada safety councils, Motorcycle and Moped Industry Council, B.C. training institutions and the riding community.

Over the past two years, the OSMV has collaborated with the BCCS, ICBC and police to develop a comprehensive approach to improve motorcycle safety based on a review of best practices in other jurisdictions, current
research and consultations within the motorcycling community and industry.

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Posted on Friday, March 19, 2010 03:57 AM in News by 250 News

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Comments

Posted by: wavoes on March 19 2010 7:34 AM

Why do new cars and trucks have govenors on them that restrict their speed to around 140-150kms and there is nothing on motorcycles...these need limits more than

Posted by: bigdog on March 19 2010 7:34 AM

And just how many of the accidents involving motorcycles are the fault of the person driving the vehicle who struck them because they either cut them off or didn't see them?

Posted by: Stompin Tom on March 19 2010 7:37 AM

bigdog,

I guess all motorcycles should be painted florescent orange and have large strobe lights attached front and rear.

Posted by: Free Enterprise on March 19 2010 7:58 AM

Just another tax grab. I don't mind the street motorcycles but watch them through in Quads, Snowmobiles etc. We are getting way over regulated...

Posted by: mythoughts on March 19 2010 8:17 AM

Right on bigdog! I can't count how many times I've been cut off while riding my motorcycle.

Posted by: mwk on March 19 2010 8:41 AM

I'm not surprised people are saying they get cut off when they ride their motorcycles. I'm sure there are a lot of people that get cut off and they are in a car or a truck. You wonder how these people don't see an entire vehicle? Well it's simple. There are a lot of people that are lazy, careless, and never learned how to drive defensively.

I can't tell you how many times I have been a passenger and we are driving in two lanes and the driver I am with will drive right beside another vehicle in their blind spot doing the same speed.

All it takes is that driver thinking "gotta get over and get my Timmy's" and WHAM. They ran into you. When most of the time if you just sped up a bit or slowed down slightly you would be out of that blind spot and avoid that fender bender altogether.

When I got my license I will have to admit I wasn't a very good driver. I was fortunate to learn better driving skills from my cousins who both drive logging trucks and have to better understand how to drive defensively or suffer the consequences... But how many drivers in BC take the time to learn anything past that initial driver's test? Not to many unless your job demands it.

As for motorcycles, I think it's partly that they are becoming a little more popular of late. I see a tonne of schools in PG selling the "learn to drive a motorcycle". That may result in a lot more motorcycles being on the road, and maybe the Govt thinks there are going to be a lot more accidents involving motorcycles. Makes sense to me.

Posted by: Andyfreeze on March 19 2010 9:05 AM

Most motorcycle riders know damn well everytime they get on that bike,someone in a car is going to try and whack them.
And yes,some riders do have a deathwish, but most just want to ride and are not a problem.
The knowledge that it is dangerous out there is what keeps them alive.
Is there anything this government doesn't have their dirty little fingers in?
This WILL convert to money...it always does.
Why do I feel like I no longer have any control over my life,everything is regulated by the "government".
Why do I feel like I live in a dictatorship?
(bangs head on floor)

Posted by: rambleon on March 19 2010 9:13 AM

This is nothing more than another example of irresponsible riders setting the rules for those that ride safely and within their limits. We see this in a wide variety of regulation.

Posted by: MrPG on March 19 2010 9:22 AM

Right on rambleon, you can thank the irresponsible riders for this. Same thing with snowmobiles and ATV's.

Posted by: MrPG on March 19 2010 9:27 AM

People don't want the government regulating everything and that is a fair comment... until someone gets hurt... then we want the healthcare system to take care of us as long as it takes and have insurance companies pay us what we're owed. That isn't sustainable, so government has to step in.

Posted by: Andyfreeze on March 19 2010 9:37 AM

Only up to a point MrPG...only up to a point.
There comes a time when it just gets out of control.
I guess that is because nobody pays much attention anymore to what the government actually does, as long as they are safe and secure in their little cocoons and it doesn't affect them!

Posted by: MrPG on March 19 2010 9:42 AM

If everyone took responsibility for their own actions and drove motorcycles, atv's, snowmobiles safely, there would be no need for it.

As insurance and healthcare costs skyrocket, money has to be made up somewhere. So government looks to licensing and regulation to pick up the slack.

Posted by: whelen on March 19 2010 10:11 AM

People in cars (cages) do not percieve the motorcycle as a threat! For example, I drive my F-350 through an intersection I fear not as no one will atempt to cut me off, if so suffer the consequences. In my car some people in trucks will try it, I am bigger than you syndrome, on my motorcycle everybody will cut you off at one time or an other. having the right of way does not in any way make it safe. the people most likely to cut you off are soccor moms with a mini-van load of distractions, +60yr old men who know they are beyond their prime and are jealous or fearful of those who ride motorcycles and next is the cool dude male or female yakking on the phone , combing their hair etc. in the early 70's when I started riding motorcycles a license plate cost $4.00 and you were riding, no insurance, no training no problem, bikes back in the day had poor brakes ,generally poor handling and bad tires and know give a sh*t if you wore a helmet or not. Over this long time the only thing I can think off that will aid in the survivability rate is a training course and leave your ego at home when your off riding. And , watch out for cages.

Posted by: metalman on March 19 2010 10:25 AM

These clowns have it bass ackwards, as usual. Their six recommendations contribute nothing toward rider safety.
A helmet standard is fine, but how about trying to prevent the accident in the first place?
What is needed is MANDATORY rider training you blithering idiots, not more regulations and studies and data collecting.
Also, MANDATORY training in motorcycle awareness for ALL drivers, anyone who would be licensed to operate a motor vehicle.
I have been riding for over forty years, and would not object to a re-testing requirement for riders, why not? Anything to help us stay alive is a good thing.
metalman.

Posted by: metalman on March 19 2010 10:41 AM

In reading some of the above comments, I can only shake my head at some of you poor, misinformed people. It is easy to seperate the riders from the non-riders when you see comments like 'irresponsible riders' Whelen has it right, and Andyfreeze is on the right trail, Wavoes, a speed governor will not prevent people from cutting off a motorcyclist. Really, the biggest danger in a street rider's life on the road is cage drivers. Ask any experienced rider how many times he or she has been cut off even when they seem to have eye contact with the other driver, you will be surprised at the answer. We can be hard to see, so it is our responsibility to anticipate and avoid the idiots. Riding sanely, within limits, not speeding in town, watching out for YRB sand and gravel in the corners, are also our responsibilities. Licensing, and other regulatory requirements will not do one single positive thing towards rider safety.
I preach awareness, and training. Don't make any new riders have to learn the hard way.
Me, I have been lucky, I have not been run over yet, the first time someone cut me off by changing lanes beside/in front of me, I saw it coming ( luck ) and was so pissed off that I began to view other drivers on the road as the enemy. I expect them to "try" and hit me so view other drivers very suspiciously, hopefully that continues to work. We need to teach that concept to others, lives will be saved.
metalman.

Posted by: ski50 on March 19 2010 10:48 AM

I like the graduated license aspect. I started with a scooter and learned what it was like to ride in traffic without having to worry about clutching & torque. Once I was comfortable I moved to a 250 cc. Enough power to have fun but not so much I could rip my arms off. Since then I've gone to a 500 and will probably stay there for awhile.

I've seen too many L's with a 900cc bike ripping down Chief Lake Rd at 120 kmh. They don't have the skill or maturity to deal with that. If someone pulls out they're just so much roadkill.

I think zero alchohol should apply to all riders. It's all about balance and judgement and even one beer affects those. When the only thing between you and the ground is a quick prayer I think you need all your wits.

But in my limited experience, the biggest dangers are: the guy who does the rolling stop. I have to brake until I know for sure he's going to stop which puts me at risk of being rear ended. The guy who turns left in front of me at the intersection forcing me to brake hard or swerve hard - I know, he didn't see me. And the third is me doing 120 Kmh down a city street. Might as well put a gun in my mouth and pull the trigger.

All that said, I love riding and I wear as much protective gear as I can, but at the end of the day, it's staying alert and treating every car as a hostile that keeps me alive.

Posted by: interceptor on March 19 2010 10:48 AM

Metalman is right on - to survive on a bike you have to assume every car is going to pull out in front of you or lane change into you. Riding a motorcycle safely takes "defensive driving" to a whole new level. Maybe all new drivers should be put on a bike first to learn some defensive skills before they are allowed to get behind the wheel of a car.

Posted by: MrPG on March 19 2010 11:07 AM

"Licensing, and other regulatory requirements will not do one single positive thing towards rider safety."

Maybe, maybe not. They will make up some of the costs incurred by motorcycle-related injuries.

Whether it's a driver who cut off a motorcycle or a motorcyclist driving beyond his or her experience, it does not matter.

Posted by: whelen on March 19 2010 11:44 AM

to add to this, in bermuda motorcycles are limited to 150cc, except for the police, a punched out well tuned 150 Honda will easily exceed 160kph. At 60 kph you a moving quite fast for the conditions. they kill a few every month it seems, pop. 60+ thousand. The germans have a graduated licensing system, that steps you through the sizes of motorcycles and the bikes are speed limited to 300kph. motorists in Europe are well educated on riding and drive with motorcyclist on there roads. So, like some of the others rider training is a big part of being a better rider. But, you know that differant colored plate may make all the differance, why didn't I think of that. duh

Posted by: seamutt on March 19 2010 11:45 AM

I wonder if murdercycles where invented today if they would even be allowed.

Posted by: whelen on March 19 2010 11:48 AM

Posted by: whelen on March 19 2010 11:52 AM

well, seasmut,if gasoline were invented today it would be deemed unsafe to have a sloshing tanks of it hirtling along with you at slightly below the speed limit.

Posted by: whelen on March 19 2010 11:57 AM

EVEN ALLOWED, the individual is the one to decide what he/she does, not some jesus like figure. life is dangerous you will not get out alive, so there is no reason to live in fear old man!

Posted by: Resident on March 19 2010 1:03 PM

More information is required on motorcycle accidents. Are we talking about large cruisers such as HD's, Honda goldwings, or crotch rockets? What about age demographics? People driving large cruisers tend to be older and more attentive to their surroundings. These bikes cost a lot of money and people take pride in motorcycle.
As a rider I am not interested in passing everything on the road, and do certainly pay more attention to the automobiles around me.
Biggest pet peeve is for some reason people driving cars or trucks on the highway pull back into the lane immediately after passing a motorcycle. I guess it is the macho thing to spew a few rocks and dust and create air turbulence for a motorcyclist.

Posted by: Dragonmaster on March 19 2010 1:12 PM

It doesn't much matter what training you have or get for any type of transportation you use that you are the operator of.

The bottom line is, If you do not pay attention to the act of driving while doing so, chances are you will have an incident that is your own fault.

Posted by: seamutt on March 19 2010 2:49 PM

whelen don't foget batteries with interesting chemicals and metals,also liquids and gases under high pressure.
Should have stuck with horses. Have an incident with a motorcycle, you will get hurt.

Posted by: whelen on March 19 2010 3:18 PM

There are great many 'incidents' that one can be involved in and get hurt. many people have been hurt and killed with horses, damned murderous animals that they are. You just coined murdercycles because it sounds cute and it puts you above the activity of motorcycling as being somewhat blue collar. how do you think long time motorcycleist become longtime motorcyclist? Just ask one and so should our government.

Posted by: zed1 on March 19 2010 6:30 PM

Haha you guys are too funny...they are nicknamed donorcycles not murdercycles....when you kill yourself it's suicide not murder. Now that is out of the way I agree it should be mandatory for all new riders to take a motorcycle safety course and to have to go through graduated licencing. Even experienced riders should go to an empty parking lot and challenge themselves each spring to make sure they are at their sharpest. If you don't use it you lose it!!!!! The wrong time to learn your bikes maximum braking or how to swerve then brake is in an emergency situation!!!!

Posted by: zed1 on March 19 2010 7:00 PM

Haha you guys are too funny...they are nicknamed donorcycles not murdercycles. When you kill yourself it is not murder it is suicide! I believe that motorcycle safety training should be mandatory for ALL new riders and they should ALL have to go through a graduated licensing program that includes horsepower to weight ratio for the bikes they are allowed to ride. I also believe that ALL experienced riders should go to an empty parking lot each spring and practice their skills...the wrong time to try and remember is when one is in an emergency situation!!!! You Die!
Rules and regulations for schools and instructors that improve their abilities to teach is always a great thing. I myself am an instructor and think that is always a positive. The problem is ICBC cannot even watch over the schools in place. A school only has to pass their initial test then they can do pretty much what they choose. At our school which will remain unnamed we pride ourselves in doing our best but there are others who only want your money and offer no DEFENSIVE riding skills and no theory. I can teach someone how to pass the MST in a couple of hours, ICBC MUST police the schools more closely. The biggest problem is people who are taught by family and friends...stop it, give them the chance to learn properly! When asking about a motorcycle school ask these questions:
How much in class theory will I get? How much instruction time on a motorcycle will I get? What defensive lessons will you teach me? A person, by law, should receive 8 hours in class and 10 on a motorcycle. The lessons should include many different defensive riding skills. IF THE SCHOOL YOU ARE ASKING DOES NOT ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS OR IS UNSURE WALK AWAY!!! If you went to a certified school and did not receive the regulated 8 hours theory or 10 hours practical in lessons (18 in total) ask for your money back and call ICBC and report that school. Lets all keep our eyes open for our 2 wheeled friends...even the speeding meatheads, hopefully they will live to become more responsible.

Posted by: frank1 on March 20 2010 6:23 AM

ever see a rider sitting on a intersection with the bike in neutral or stoped behind a car and the front tire is two feet or so from the cars rear bumper. thats an indicator of lack of training . no escape route. there are others-more to follow

Posted by: Andyfreeze on March 20 2010 7:48 AM

I sold my last motorcycle in 1986 after riding for many years.
A trip to the Pine Center on a sunny Saturday convinced me that someone really WAS trying to kill me.
I had suspected that for years!
Either that,or I had become invisable.
People in cars tried to kill me once on the way there,and twice on the way home,and I only lived up on Vedder.
A short ride and I almost didn't make it, and I decided it just wasn't worth it anymore!
The problem is NOT with most motorcycle riders!

Posted by: metalman on March 20 2010 4:09 PM

Please look twice before changing lanes or turning left or right onto another street, and for gosh sake, use your turn indicators.
metalman.