With the motorcycle riding season underway for the 2012, the Saskatchewan Safety Council and RCMP "Depot" Division are proud to team up to promote the safe and responsible use of motorcycles on Saskatchewan roads.
As part of the partnership, the Saskatchewan Safety Council will be able to use "Depot" Division's outdoor training track to hold motorcycle training courses from May to September. The Council's Motorcycle Training Program is designed for riders of all levels and helps participants develop control skills and riding techniques necessary for the demands of urban traffic.
"This is a unique opportunity for everyone involved," says Barry Muir, Chief Motorcycle Instructor with the Saskatchewan Safety Council. "Depot's training track is an exceptional site for participants of the motorcycle course to learn on. It is incomparable to anywhere else in Canada."
According to Assistant Commissioner Roger L. Brown, Commanding Officer of RCMP "Depot" Division, "This partnership with the Saskatchewan Safety Council reinforces the engagement of the RCMP to promote safe communities. We are very pleased to be a part of this collaboration as Saskatchewan's motorcyclists will not only gain significant knowledge but also best practices on road safety."
Educating the public on motorcycle safety is a priority for both the RCMP and the Saskatchewan Safety Council. According to SGI, there were 286 collisions involving motorcycles last year on roads throughout Saskatchewan.
Muir comments that while riding a motorcycle is an exhilarating experience, it is also an incredible risk if you are not trained to handle dangerous situations or to ride your bike properly. "Working with the RCMP to raise awareness about motorcycle safety for both riders, as well as drivers of other vehicles is a necessary step towards reducing the amount of motorcycle-related collisions that happen each year," he says.
The Saskatchewan Safety Council, along with RCMP "Depot" Division and SGI will be recognizing May 6 to 12 as Motorcycle Safety Week in Saskatchewan. The week is held each year to raise awareness about the importance of being safety-minded when riding a motorcycle. It also helps to raise awareness for other road users who often unintentionally ignore motorcyclists because of their small size. Motorcycle dealerships across Regina will be offering special safety-related discounts to their customers in support of the week. Customers will also have the opportunity to enter the draw at any of the participating dealers for a chance to win a free registration for the Council's Motorcycle Training Program.
The week will also feature RCMP Collision Reconstructionists from around the province who will be focusing their efforts on reconstructing real-life motorcycle collision scenarios and tests at "Depot" Division's training track in Regina. The information gained will help with training purposes, as well as assist investigators in better understanding how and why the collisions happen and how they might be prevented in the future.
For more information on the Saskatchewan Safety Council's Motor-cycle Training Program or to register for an upcoming course, please visit www. sasksafety.org.
