N.S. group advocates for motorcycle training courses to improve safety

Many motorcyclists in the Maritimes are on high alert after a series of fatal collisions.

A Nova Scotia group is advocating for mandatory motorcycle training courses to improve safety on the roads.

Andrea Williams with the Bikers Down Society said education is key for safety, particularly in light of recent motorcycle accidents in the province.

“It sounds horrible, but you have to assume that everyone on the road can’t see you on a motorcycle, and you have to assume that they can move over at a moment’s notice,” Williams said. “We’re hoping that everyone slows down – not just young riders, even the experienced riders that think they can go faster because they’ve been doing it for years.

“There’s so much traffic on the road.”

So far this month, a 70-year-old man, a 64-year-old man, a 63-year-old woman, and a 61-year-old man have died in motorcycle crashes across Nova Scotia. A 17-year-old boy was also airlifted to a hospital following a crash in Greenville.

Cpl. Carlie McCann with the Nova Scotia RCMP noted aggressive driving was a major contributing factor in collisions in 2024.

“This can be a variety of different factors,” McCann said. “It can be driving too fast, changing lanes erratically, things like that.”

Motorcyclist Josie Lake and her partner ride about 15,000 kilometres per season.

“I don’t think anyone goes out without being aware of the risks,” she said. “They always sort of sit in the back of your mind somewhere.

“If you’re going to ride a bike, you have to ride defensively all the time.”

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