Spring weather means more motorcycles will be on B.C.'s roads, and ICBC wants to remind drivers to keep riders in mind while travelling. (File photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Jordan Davidson

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NANAIMO — Warm spring weather means motorcycle enthusiasts are hitting the road with more regularity, leading to a warning from ICBC.

The Crown corporation’s Tom Webster said crashes involving motorcycles significantly increase between May and September every year, with 212 people injured in motorcycle-involved collisions in each of those months across B.C.

Webster said about 60 per cent of all motorcycle-related collisions happen at intersections.

“Intersections are (the) most complex driving environments and drivers that are turning left, often make errors in judging the speed of motorcyclists. Unfortunately, that’s one of the major types of crashes we see is left-hand turning drivers not yielding to the oncoming motorcyclists.”

Webster encourages drivers to take that second look while turning in an intersection, which could help save a life.

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The average age of riders involved in collisions in the province is 45, he noted.

“People might ride when they’re younger, but once they’re busy with family and things like that, they might get off the bike for a while. But once life moves on, and they get a little older, some of these folks are getting back on motorbikes. And that means that it’s often an older demographic that’s involved in these crashes.”

Along with being aware of your surroundings while riding a motorcycle, Webster said riders should “wear all the gear, all of the time.”

A jacket with reinforced material to withstand sliding on the pavement is important, along with a pair of proper riding pants, boots, gloves, and an approved helmet.

“On a motorcycle you don’t have the protection of being inside a vehicle with all the latest safety equipment, airbags and things like that. Material that can withstand abrasion to pavements is important. So leather or reinforced materials that are common on motorcycle gear is really important. So it really makes a difference if you have the right gear.”

According to ICBC, an average of seven motorcycle-related fatalities annually were reported between 2018 and 2022 on Vancouver Island.

Between 2012 and 2020 the annual death rate per 10,000 motorcycle licences in the province ranged from 1.0 to 1.8, according to BC Coroners Service data.

— with files from Jon De Roo/97.3 FM The Eagle

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jordan@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @JordanDHeyNow