MPI looks into motorcycle safety

Manitoba Public Insurance (MPI) is investigating ways to enhance motorcycle safety on regional roads. The public insurer is gathering feedback on various measures, including restricting powerful bikes for new riders, mandating training for older motorcyclists, and limiting registrations to those with a motorcycle licence (Class 6).

Coalition of Manitoba Motorcycle Groups' President Mary Johnson dismissed certain restrictions as ineffective, stating that engine size doesn't necessarily correlate with accident risk. She also suggested that mandatory training for older riders might be unnecessary, as drivers can be required to retake tests for dangerous driving.

Douglas Houghton, the coalition's vice-president, emphasized the need for affordable refresher courses and expressed concerns about age-based registration restrictions, arguing that it would be unfair to bar non-licensed drivers from registering bikes. The coalition is advocating for enhanced training programs focusing on situational awareness and environmental factors, as well as closing loopholes that allow individuals with poor driving records to obtain cheap insurance and avoid penalties by transferring bikes to family members with clean records.

Despite the number of motorcycle fatalities in Manitoba steadily increasing, MPI remains committed to safety improvements and collaborates with stakeholders, including the coalition, to address the issue.