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By Abby Zieverink

Sharing the road

RCMP ask motorcyclists to keep safety top of mind this spring

Apr 8, 2022 | 6:00 AM

With the snow melting, many motorcyclists are eager to get their bikes out on the roads. The Grande Prairie RCMP is reminding motorists to be safe, especially early in the spring season.

With everyone sharing the road, Sgt. Shawn Graham explains we must ensure everyone is using it safely.

“We have been going the last six months without motorcycles on the road, so they’re not necessarily looking out for motorcycles yet, so we want motorcycles to make sure they’re not in the driver’s blind spot,” he explained.

“It just takes time for people to remember motorcycles are out there because we go through the winter and there are no motorcycles and now motorcycles are starting to be driven and we have to remember that they are out there.”

He tells EverythingGP motorcyclists should not assume a driver will see them and give them the right of way.

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“They might not be able to see you, and they might not be able to judge the speed and distance of how far you are away.”

Practicing braking and obstacle avoidance can help motorcyclists stay safe, particularly moving into spring when there is an increased amount of loose gravel on the roads, said Graham.

“Which essentially is almost like ice when you go to stop on it; you’re not going to stop right away on it, you are going to slide,” he said.

“Until the gravel is gone from the roads, we have to be cognizant that it’s there and that we have to break earlier so that we are going to be able to stop on time.”