A committee tasked with improving motorcycle safety ins Saskatchewan seems to have effected several changes for new riders.
The provincial insurance body was behind the committee, and they say the provincial government is enacting all their recommendations. You can find some more of the background to the story here.
Now, individuals wanting a motorcycle learner’s permit will have to first hold a Class 5 licence (automobile licence). To get their bike licence, they’ll also have to prove they can safely handle a motorcycle.
As a result, it sounds as if there’s some sort of new road test coming. There are also other changes ahead. most likely. It sounds as if the insurance board is still very interested in making riders wear proper jackets, boots, gloves, etc. We haven’t heard anything else about telematics, though, which is good.
The government also brought in heavier tickets for illegal lane changes; supposedly, this is going to help keep motorcyclists safer – although it seems a very small solace for a motorcyclist to know the cager who squashed them is going to have a heftier fine.
Having to get a Car license first makes no sense to me!
It should be the other way around. Make car drivers learn to ride motorcycles first.
Got that one right, Terry.
exactly my thoughts
Driving a car is easier. Anybody who can get a motorcycle licence can get a car licence; the reverse is not true. The fact is that Vancouver and Victoria are the only places in Canada where year-round motorcycling is possible, and even there it is pretty miserable in winter; rain and 2 C. temperatures are a recipe for quick hypothermia for a motorcyclist. The result is that motorcyclists need to either drive cars or not drive at all for several months per year, so a requirement that they have car licences is not completely unreasonable.
Total,discrimination.