Safety reminder

A pair of motorcycle collisions during the weekend has led police to issue a reminder for riders to stay safe on the roads.

The first crash occurred Friday evening after a 27-year-old rider received numerous fractures after his motorcycle left Oliver Road. He remains in hospital. Police are investigating the motorbike and safety equipment in that collision. 

A rider from the United States was sent to hospital with a leg injury Saturday after coming into contact with a pickup truck on John Street.

With summer in full swing and many riders throughout the city, Const. John Whitehurst with Thunder Bay Police Service’s traffic division wants driver of other vehicles to pay attention.

“You have to simply look for motorcycles,” he said.

As for riders, they need to make sure they are seen by always staying block position in their lane. But they should also be wearing bright, visible clothing.

And making sure the bike is in good working order is also a must. Tires, brakes and steering components should all be in good working order before heading out on the road.

“You may have your life depend on that vehicle doing what you’re asking it to do,” Whitehurst said.

“You have a very small contact patch with the road surface you’re driving on.”

For those riders who may not be mechanically inclined, the bike should be fully inspected at least once a year by a licensed professional Whitehurst said. Riders also need to know their limit. Often someone may not have the experience to ride a certain bike, which can escalate the chance of a collision.

“Often it is the inexperience of the rider. You simply cannot ride over your head,” Whitehurst, who’s been riding for more than 30 years, said.

Despite the weekend collisions, Whitehurst said motorcycles incidences are a little down this year.

“Which is very good to see and thankfully it’s one of the few years of late where we have not had a fatal collision involving a motorcyclist, which is exceptional,” he said.