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Motorists of all kinds in the southeast are being urged to stay cautious following a spike in collisions this week. This includes staying on the lookout for motorcyclists.
Tara Seel, media and public relations lead with Manitoba Public Insurance (MPI), says warmer weather brings more two-wheeled drivers out on the roads.
"(They) are the most vulnerable road users in our province. We want all motorcycle drivers as well as motor vehicle drivers to be aware of how quickly things can turn really tragic," she says.
Unlike drivers in cars or trucks, Seel says motorcyclists lack the protection other motorists have, like walls, making them more susceptible to serious injury or death in a collision.
Between 2022 and 2024, Seel says there were nine fatalities and 434 injuries involving motorcyclists and their passengers in collisions on Manitoba roadways. Those numbers do not include injuries to other drivers.
She notes that careless driving is the leading factor in these incidents.
How drivers can help keep motorcyclists safe
"It's easy for a motorcycle to pop into a blind spot," Seel says, "So you always want to look twice for motorcycles if you're changing lanes or if you're at an intersection and making a turn."
She says it's also important to pay close attention to signals, because it can be difficult to see motorcycle turning lights.
There may also be other ways a motorcyclist signals their intentions on the road, like shoulder checks or hand signals.
One of the most critical safety measures, she adds, is maintaining a safe following distance.
"Motorcycles can stop fast than other vehicles, so four seconds is the recommended following distance," Seel says, adding that should be increased at night, if it's raining, or road conditions aren't ideal.
Safety tips for motorcyclists
Seel says one way motorcyclists can practice safety, is by wearing the right gear.
"Have an approved safety helmet, eye protection, wear clothing that covers your skin—so jacket, pants, and boots," she says.
The MPI representative adds visibility is also important, so wearing bright colours or even a safety vest could make a big difference in safety.
Motorcyclists should also avoid riding in other vehicles’ blind spots, Seel says, and refrain from weaving in and out of traffic.
"Then you want to adjust your driving behavior to the road surface. So if you're riding a slippery surface... you want to slow your speed accordingly, then adjust when you're making turns," she says.
A shared responsibility on the road
Whether you’re driving on two wheels or four, Seel says the most important rules remain the same.
Staying focused on the road and avoiding distraction, paying close attention when approaching intersections and making turns, driving sober, and obeying the rules of the road are just a handful.
"The most common forms of careless driving are turning improperly, failing to yield right of way, and following too closely," Seel says.