You should always exercise good business judgement while operating a transportation mode to ensure your safety and those of other Canadian residents!
Read on for key safety tips on how motorbike and scooter riders can keep themselves safe on the roads while delivering for Skip.
Motorbike/Scooter Road Safety
Visibility is key!
Visibility is very important whilst riding on the roads. Below are some tips on how to make yourself more visible while riding, such as:
- Wear Hi-Vis / brightly coloured clothing
- Use Hi-Vis vests (that meet Canadian standards) and wear a brightly coloured helmet
- Keep full visibility of other motorists
- Maintain a safe road position
Lane filtering and lane splitting
Lane filtering and splitting is currently illegal in all provinces of Canada for motorcyclists and scooter riders.
Lane filtering is when a motorcycle or scooter rider moves alongside vehicles that have either stopped or are moving slowly (less than 30km/h). Lane splitting is when a motorcycle or scooter rider moves alongside/passes between vehicles at speeds greater than 30km/h.
Changing lanes with caution
Changing lanes on a motorcycle or scooter may pose a risk to riders as other motorists may not always be aware of their position, which is often due to blind spots.
It’s important for riders to:
- Avoid making unnecessary lane changes
- Remember to use your turn signals prior to making a lane change
- Remember to check your mirrors and perform a shoulder check prior to moving lanes
- Be aware of your blind spots
- Use your headlight at all times to increase your visibility to other motorists
Be aware of road hazards
While delivering, you may encounter various road hazards, such as rapidly braking traffic, potholes, wildlife and pedestrians, which can reduce your reaction time.
The best way to avoid these hazards is to ensure that you are exercising good judgement while on the road.
- You should maintain sufficient gap between your transportation mode and others in front of you
- Slow down coming into corners/sharp turns
- Reduce your speed when approaching intersections
- Temper your speed to match the prevailing road conditions
Follow the Rules
There are some specific provincial rules for motorcycle/scooter riders to be aware of. For example:
- You are not supposed to ride on footpaths or through parks
- You are legally required to obey traffic signs/signals
- You must wear a helmet approved for use in your province. Click here to see PPE recommendations.
Rules can differ between provinces, so it is a good idea to check the rules that apply to you.
