Watch Out For Each Other – May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month

Watch Out For Each Other returns as the theme for Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, promoted by the Motorcyclists Confederation of Canada (MCC). “Our goal is to remind everyone that motorcycles are back on our roads and trails in full force, and that we all have a responsibility to help keep each other safe," says Chris Bourque, MCC Board Chair. “We always want everyone to be safe. Each May, we take this opportunity to encourage safe riding habits among all motorcyclists and safe driving habits among all road users.”

 

Interest in motorcycling has increased significantly over the past two years. Sales of all types of motorcycles went up by 8.45% in 2021. Street bike sales were up an amazing 18.1% last year, following an even larger jump in 2020, when lockdowns fueled sales for what could be considered the ultimate “socially distanced” form of travel and recreation.
         All those new motorcycles mean that there are a lot of new and returning riders out there. “The young, and young at heart riders, are a primary target for safety messaging this year,” says Bourque. “Whether you’re joining the sport for the first time, or coming back to riding after an extended time away from it, we want riders to be aware of all the things they can do to increase their safety.”

 

This includes a few basics: get training; practice your skills; develop safe riding habits; ride within your skill limits and according to conditions. These are the best ways to ensure you can safely enjoy all the pleasures of riding. There are a number of excellent resources available to riders, many of which can be found on the MCC website (motorcycling.ca). In Nova Scotia, it is the law to have your Dirt Bike Safety course and the Nova Scotia Off Road Riders Association is a leader in dirt bike safety training.

        Take time to familiarize yourself with your machine. If you haven’t been out riding for a while, reach out to an experienced motorcyclist and soak up their advice and tips. Experienced riders are typically generous with their knowledge, so don’t be afraid to ask for help. And there’s ATGATT - All The Gear, All The Time. Wearing the right safety gear and appropriate clothing is a must for all riders.
 

In conjunction with Watch Out For Each Other, this year’s campaign features faces of motorcyclists to reinforce the fact that when you see a motorcycle, either on the road or on the trail, you are actually seeing a person. NSORRA members are featured in this year’s offroad campaign. The Kelly and Ruginski families can be found in the shots wearing their safety gear. Bourque adds, “Under that helmet, behind that visor, is a person. A motorcyclist. A friend you haven’t met yet. Let’s all Watch Out For Each Other.”

 

The Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month campaign is primarily shared through social media platforms of clubs and organizations across Canada, and by supportive media outlets in print and online.

        This year, there are new tools to make it easy for individuals, companies and organizations to show and share their support. Filters, frames, and stickers that contain short messages and branding for the campaign are available on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok. They can be added to profile photos or a favourite photo of your bike, and posted to show your support for motorcycle safety. By using these tools, you’re also reminding your friends, family and followers to do the same. With the help of the riding community, we hope to reach as many people as possible through this grassroots effort.
 

Let’s all Watch Out For Each Other all season long.
 

The Motorcyclists Confederation of Canada (MCC) is the voice of motorcycling in Canada. Our purpose is to create a better riding experience for all Canadians and to make Canada one of the safest countries in the world to ride a motorcycle.
        Motorcycling is a vital part of our Canadian experience and an important form of transportation and recreation. Today, there are over one million motorcyclists riding on and off-road motorcycles across Canada. We are here “So You Can Ride”.