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President Mary Johnson said some of the questions \u2014 such as those that relate to restricting new riders to bikes with engines under 500 cubic centimetres \u2014 are non-starters.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe amount of CCs won\u2019t help with the problem they\u2019re having with the accidents,\u201d Johnson said. \u201cYou can have a motorcycle with lower CCs that has more horsepower than a 1100 CC Harley for example.\u201d<\/p>\n
For example, CC, which stands for cubic centimetres, only indicates engine size and not top speed; a 600 CC sport bike could easily outpace a cruiser-style motorcycle, even if it has a higher CC.<\/p>\n
Johnson said the question about mandatory training for older riders may be moot, because drivers are required to take a retest if caught riding dangerously and refresher courses are encouraged.<\/p>\n
\u201cTo have mandatory training because of age is not something I\u2019d support,\u201d said Johnson.<\/p>\n
Douglas Houghton, vice-president of the coalition, said better access to refresher courses is needed.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019d like to make the Experienced Rider program less costly to encourage more people to take it,\u201d he said. \u201cMost people who have ridden a long time think they know everything and they don\u2019t need training, and that\u2019s one of the issues.\u201d<\/p>\n
Houghton said he worries that limiting registration to people who have a Class 6 motorcycle licence would be discriminatory.<\/p>\n
He said it would be wrong to disallow people who don\u2019t have a motorcycle licence from registering one. He pointed out MPI hasn\u2019t suggested people who don\u2019t have a licence to operate a car or truck be banned from registering a vehicle.<\/p>\n
Johnson said people who have weighed in on that measure are \u201cquite agitated.\u201d<\/p>\n
Instead, she said MPI should focus on its training programs to improve safety. Currently, Safety Services Manitoba offers one- and two-day courses.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve been pressuring them quite strongly to revise the training program,\u201d she said. \u201cThere seems to be an attitude coming out of there that you\u2019re invincible once you\u2019re on those handlebars.\u201d<\/p>\n
Houghton agreed, saying there needs to be a greater focus on situational and environmental awareness by teaching riders what to look and watch out for.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese are things that are difficult to train for,\u201d he said, adding a video or a virtual component may be helpful to ensure people \u201crealize that just because you\u2019ve got your licence, doesn\u2019t mean you\u2019re fully trained.\u201d<\/p>\n
Both say they want any loophole closed that may allow a person with a bad driving record to get cheap insurance and duck penalty pricing by transferring ownership of a bike to a family member who has a clear record.<\/p>\n
They say that \u201cdefeats the purpose\u201d of MPI\u2019s merit system.<\/p>\n
The number of motorcycle fatalities in Manitoba has climbed steadily in recent years.<\/p>\n
Seven people died from Jan. 1 to Sept. 14 of this year. In 2025, six people lost their lives.<\/p>\n
\n\t\tWinnipeg Free Press | Newsletter\n\t<\/p>\n
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Since 2021, 29 people have died in motorcycle-related collisions. The average age was 48.5.<\/p>\n
\u201cMPI is committed to making Manitoba\u2019s roads safer and regularly works collaboratively with its stakeholders on opportunities to do so,\u201d the corporation said in a statement after it didn\u2019t grant an interview request.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn particular, the corporation regularly engages with community groups, law enforcement, government and other partners, including the Coalition of Manitoba Motorcycle Groups, to share data, gather feedback and discuss solutions to improve safety for all road users.\u201d<\/p>\n
Johnson said MPI and her organization work closely together and have had success implementing safety messaging quickly. A TV segment on motorcycle safety was recently featured in the MPI \u201c60-Second Driver\u201d series after three people were killed during motorcycle group rides.<\/p>\n
morgan.modjeski@freepress.mb.ca<\/p>\n
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