Image Credit: Katie Neustaeter

By Katie Neustaeter

REFRACTION

NEUSTAETER: Motorcycles and Me; pretend it’s your mom on that bike

May 26, 2019 | 12:54 AM

The first time I hopped on the back of a motorcycle I was 16 years old and the guy driving was just 18. I don’t remember giving the safety concerns more than a passing thought and from first rev it was one of my favourite experiences ever.

Something about the way you can feel the air temperature change on your skin, how you can smell flowers, water, pavement and food in the air, the silence inside the helmet and the power of the engine all immediately appealed to me; it felt like a whole new way to experience life and taste freedom.

Although I have yet to feel compelled to get my own bike license, I was happy when I married a guy who rides a motorcycle because I love being a passenger and after a few bike-less years (because babies are expensive, ya’ll) we were finally able to purchase a motorcycle again. To my surprise though, when I hopped on the back with the same enthusiasm of my youth I quickly discovered that hurtling down the highway with nothing but a helmet and some leather between the road and me felt less thrilling and more irresponsible than it had when I was single and childless.

For the first time the danger of riding a motorcycle really hit me and, although I still love to ride, I’m a much more cautious, conscientious and a more infrequent passenger than when I was younger; I’m also a much more vocal proponent of motorcycle safety as a wife with a husband riding on the road too.

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This week a report came out from BC Coroners Service saying that 51 motorcycle riders lost their lives last year in British Columbia; a 50% increase in fatalities from 2017 to 2018 and a record high number in a decade.

Particularly if you’re someone who loves a person who rides a motorcycle every day, that information is enough to turn your stomach when you hear that engine roar out of the driveway, but as someone who also loves to live a little, I had to take a step back and balance that reaction with some reason.

The fact is that any time you’re in a vehicle you are at risk of an accident (although the injuries sustained are often more serious on a motorcycle), we can’t ask people not to do things they love based on fear (also, asking someone who loves motorcycles not to ride one is akin to asking a football fan to skip the Superbowl, so good luck with that), plus operating a motorcycle

is significantly more affordable than any other vehicle right now, but people could ride much more safely if we all agree to follow a few common sense rules.

For Motorcycle Drivers:

1. Invest in some training. Whether you sign up for professional riding lessons or seek the tutelage of an experienced rider, make sure you get as much advice as possible. Most good riders didn’t learn on their own and having someone to ride with is often part of the fun anyway.

2. Don’t be an idiot. I understand the temptation to weave in and out of traffic, rip down the middle of two lanes on the dotted line or blast off of the stop line, but I’m begging you, don’t! Remember that in the event of an accident many lives are affected including the occupants of other vehicles and those who love you and care about your safety.

3. Wear your gear. Going shirtless in flip flops on a motorbike doesn’t look cool, it looks like you don’t know the first thing about riding a motorbike. I understand full gear for everyone always isn’t realistic (even if it is smart), but at least cover the basics: a helmet is not optional and closed toed boots and a proper jacket could save your skin or even your life.

4. The best advice I’ve ever heard for safe riding was to “pretend you’re invisible”. Driving defensively when you’re on a bike is a must and could be the difference between life and death. Always assume you can’t be seen to mitigate any and all risks possible (ie. Don’t pass in the right lane or try to beat someone at a 4-way stop).

5. All motorcycle riders should remember that somewhere someone who loves you is praying you come home. It doesn’t mean you shouldn’t ride and it doesn’t mean you should feel guilty, but it does mean that you should drive with the knowledge that any lazy habit, risky decision or lack of attention could devastate the people you care about the most.

For Drivers of Other Vehicles:

1. Back off. I promise that 3 seconds of distance between you and a motorcycle will not make or break you day, but it could make or break lives. Motorcycles can decelerate way faster than the average car, so tailgating is a no-no. Also keeping a constant speed when a bike is trying to pass and keeping your car in your own lane are good driving practises that should always apply doubly to motorcycle awareness.

2. Motorcycles are not your enemy; stop driving like they are. That’s someone’s father/mother, brother/sister, coworker, husband/wife, friend and loved one. There’s a real person inside that helmet and your personal preferences when concerning motorcycles should not affect the respect you show for a rider. If it helps, picture your own mom on that bike and then drive accordingly.

3. Put down your phone; pay attention. You aren’t just taking a chance with your own life when you drive distractedly, you’re putting everyone else at risk too, which is even truer for those who are vulnerable on the road. Failing to shoulder check, turning left without really looking, rolling through a stop sign or drifting because you aren’t focused on what’s happening on the road are simple mistakes with potentially fatal consequences.

I know, I know, I know; it’s kind of irresponsible for me to ride on a motorbike when I have 3 children (or at least not the safest possible choice); trust me, I know.

But even a mom’s got to live a little, do the things she loves and take risks sometimes too, right?

So for my kids’ sake let’s make a deal: we won’t drive like idiots on motorbikes, but we need you not to drive like idiots in 4 wheeled vehicles either, please.

And ride on, friends.

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Editor’s Note: This opinion piece reflects the views of its author, and does not necessarily represent the views of CFJC Today or the Jim Pattison Broadcast Group.