Spring is motorcycle season, police remind Albertans, after 3 recent deaths

At least three people have already been killed in motorcycle crashes this spring and officials are urging all road users to exercise extra caution as more and more motorbikes take to Alberta's streets and highways.

"For the general motoring public, we really encourage them to bear in mind that motorcycles are out," said Sgt. Colin Foster with the Calgary Police Service.

Motorcycle riders also need to ease in to the season, Foster added.

"Remember, you've not ridden your motorcycle for six or seven months," he said.

"You need to knock that rust off. You've got to get back into riding and remembering how to ride."

Recent deaths

While street cleaning is well underway in Calgary, Foster said there is still gravel in some locations and riders need to be aware of road conditions.

Several fatal crashes have already happened on southern Alberta highways so far this spring, according to RCMP, including:

• A 57-year-old man who died Tuesday when he failed to negotiate a curve on Highway 12 near Stettler.
• A 37-year-old man who died either lateSaturday night or early Sunday morning when he failed to negotiate a highway curve near Picture Butte.
• A 68-year-old man who died April 1 when he lost control on Highway 1A near Morley.

About 30 people are killed in motorcycle crashes each year in Alberta and another 688 are injured.

That's based on averages from the last five years' worth of available data from Alberta Transportation.

Motorcyclists vulnerable

Transportation Minister Brian Mason also issued a reminder to all motorists Thursday.

"Motorcyclesare smaller and sometimes less stable than other vehicles, despite their high-performance capabilities, which means they can appear where drivers do not expect them," he said in a release.

"Drivers need to be cautious when travelling nearmotorcycles, whilemotorcyclistsshould ride defensively and be aware of other road users nearby."

Alberta Transportation noted motorcyclists are especially vulnerable road users, with more than two-thirds of collisions involving amotorcycles resultin injury or death, compared with about one in 10 for all collisions.

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