Traffic safety tips
Our traffic safety focus for the month of May is motorcycle safety.
May is the start of motorcycle season in Calgary and there will be an increasing number of these two-wheeled vehicles on the roads. This year, during the Alberta Traffic Safety Calendar, Motorcycle Safety Month, we are calling on riders and drivers to be aware, drive with care and look out for one another.
In 2024 there were four fatal collisions and 82 injury collisions – many with life-altering consequences - involving motorcyclists in Calgary. While both figures are down from the previous years, 2022 and 2023 saw increases in these incidents due to extended warm weather and longer riding seasons, with most motorcycle fatalities and injury collisions occurring in September.
Rider inexperience, lack of training and unsafe speeds are prominent factors in motorcycle collisions.
It’s incumbent on vehicle and motorcycle drivers to look out for one another.
Good judgement by both riders and drivers can mean the difference between life and death.
Tips for vehicle drivers
- Adhere to the rules of the road. Distracted driving can cause you to easily miss a motorcycle.
- Share the road – look twice for motorcyclists at intersections or when changing lanes.
- Never underestimate the speed of a motorcycle. Their size makes their speed deceptive, in turn making it more difficult for drivers to judge timing.
- Always check your blind spot before changing lanes.
Tips for motorcycle riders
- Adhere to the rules of the road. Speeding makes it difficult for others to be aware of your presence and more likely to misjudge timing.
- Ride defensively. Stay out of blind spots and make every effort to enhance your visibility.
- Be alert at intersections. Make eye contact with other drivers/riders before proceeding.
- Protect yourself with the right gear and wear a certified motorcycle helmet, regardless of temperature or length of trip.
Motorcycle visibility
Staying safe means being visible. Since motorcycles are smaller than most vehicles, they can be difficult to see on roadways and in parking lots.
- Wear reflective tape - Place reflective tape around your wheel rims and on any part of your motorcycle that is closest to a light source. At night, reflective tape will make your motorcycle look like a bigger vehicle.
- Wear bright safety gear - You are just as visible as your bike when you're on the road. Wearing high visibility jackets and helmets like orange, yellow and white will draw other motorists' eyes to you.
- Ride a bright bike - A brightly coloured motorcycle increases your chance of being noticed by other motorists. Riding a black or dark coloured bike makes it harder for drivers to see you. Keeping your lights on can help too.
- Avoid blind spots - Whether you are driving on the highway or parking, always position yourself where other drivers can see you. Motorcycles can be difficult for drivers to see in their rear-view mirrors. Find a lane position where you can be seen by all cars on the road.
Helmet law
In Alberta, all drivers and passengers on a motorcycle must wear a helmet. The penalty for not wearing a helmet is $155.
The only exception is for a rider/passenger who is 18 years or older and is a bona fide member of the Sikh religion who wears a turban.
For more information, see Vehicle and helmet exemptions.
Body gear
Having the right equipment can help keep you safe. Along with an approved motorcycle helmet, it is recommended that every rider wear:
Shatter-proof eye protection. Full coverage helmets offer the best protection for your eyes. A plastic, shatter-resistant face shield will help cover your face from wind, dust, dirt, rain, insects and rocks. If your helmet does not have a shield, consider purchasing eyewear specifically designed to protect your eyes when riding. Goggles can be worn over prescription glasses if necessary.
- a durable, brightly coloured jacket
- long pants
- leather footwear that protects the ankles
- full fingered, non-slip gloves
- rain and cold weather riding clothes
Boots and footwear
Make sure that your footwear:
- covers your ankles
- is made of leather or a similar material
- has strong and durable soles to prevent your feet from slipping
- has short enough heels that they will not catch on surfaces or controls
- has the laces tucked in while you ride so that they do not catch on your motorcycle
Ear protection
Noise from air passing around your head while riding can make you tired and cause permanent hearing loss. Purchase earplugs to use while riding, especially on highways where there are higher speed limits.
Jacket and pants
Your safest option is choosing jackets and pants that cover your torso, arms, and legs completely with nothing that can flap in the wind. Since you can be harder to see on a motorcycle, a brightly coloured jacket helps with visibility. Sturdy leather or similar material designed for riding offers the best protection, whereas denim can easily wear out in the event of an accident.
Check out the Calgary Traffic Tips booklet for the information you need to become more knowledgeable, safe and confident when moving around Calgary streets and sidewalks.