SGI - Saskatchewan Government Insurance has released some information on the proposed changes to motorcycle insurance and rules in that province.
According to the article in the Times Colonist, SGI intends to see new rules in place regarding getting a license to ride, the clothing you must wear but mandatory rider training is not on the agenda.
Before you can get a license you will have to do a skills and ability test, no more writing an exam and hopping on a bike.
All riders in the graduated licensing program will be required to have their arms and legs covered, wear ankle boots, a three quarter helmet minimum, wear gloves and eye protection.
Another change is that anyone wanting a motorcycle license would have to hold a class 5 drivers license.
Fearful that people will not be in a good frame of mind to learn and that rural areas will not be able for provide it, means that mandatory rider training has been ruled out.
Don Fuller of R.A.G.E., Riders Against Government Exploitation, says that while R.A.G.E. likes the changes for new motorcyclists that the recommendation to charge rates based on type of motorcycle doesn't do enough to address rider safety.
Now I have a couple of questions about these proposed changes.
Why is it only new riders are being required to wear a minimum amount of safety gear?
Why aren't all riders required to wear a minimum amount of safety gear? If this is about reducing the cost of claims, then every rider should at least wear proper footwear, jeans and a jacket on top of gloves, helmet and eye protection.
Just calling for arms and legs to be covered means little. That means I can wear a long sleeve tee shirt and my arms are covered or that I wear spandex tights and my legs are covered. Neither of which are going to protect me at all in a crash situation. The road will chew that fabric up and grind it into your hide along with the gravel, sand and dirt that is on the road.
Why should you have to have a drivers license to get a motorcycle license?
Being a car driver does not equate to you being a good rider.
Sadly it seems we have to make laws to protect people from themselves in order to reduce crashes and claims, so since that seems to be the case, why are these proposed changes so broad and vague in their descriptions and requirements?
Personally I think SGI should reduce your insurance by the amount the rider training costs you for your second year of insurance thereby taking the financial sting out of mandatory training.
With the advent of Kevlar Jeans, Kevlar shirts, armour and the advancement in the cooling capabilities of modern jackets and all of the other advances in safety gear, there is no reason for a rider to go unprotected.
What are your thoughts on minimum gear requirements - people being people, do we need to be more clear about what constitutes minimum gear? What should that minimum be?
I'd love your comments and feedback - tell me what you think of mandatory gear and mandatory training and lets hear what insurance is like in your province.
Have a fabulous day everyone...
Belt Drive Betty
Editor & Rider
According to the article in the Times Colonist, SGI intends to see new rules in place regarding getting a license to ride, the clothing you must wear but mandatory rider training is not on the agenda.
Before you can get a license you will have to do a skills and ability test, no more writing an exam and hopping on a bike.
All riders in the graduated licensing program will be required to have their arms and legs covered, wear ankle boots, a three quarter helmet minimum, wear gloves and eye protection.
Another change is that anyone wanting a motorcycle license would have to hold a class 5 drivers license.
Fearful that people will not be in a good frame of mind to learn and that rural areas will not be able for provide it, means that mandatory rider training has been ruled out.
Don Fuller of R.A.G.E., Riders Against Government Exploitation, says that while R.A.G.E. likes the changes for new motorcyclists that the recommendation to charge rates based on type of motorcycle doesn't do enough to address rider safety.
Now I have a couple of questions about these proposed changes.
Why is it only new riders are being required to wear a minimum amount of safety gear?
Why aren't all riders required to wear a minimum amount of safety gear? If this is about reducing the cost of claims, then every rider should at least wear proper footwear, jeans and a jacket on top of gloves, helmet and eye protection.
Just calling for arms and legs to be covered means little. That means I can wear a long sleeve tee shirt and my arms are covered or that I wear spandex tights and my legs are covered. Neither of which are going to protect me at all in a crash situation. The road will chew that fabric up and grind it into your hide along with the gravel, sand and dirt that is on the road.
Why should you have to have a drivers license to get a motorcycle license?
Being a car driver does not equate to you being a good rider.
Sadly it seems we have to make laws to protect people from themselves in order to reduce crashes and claims, so since that seems to be the case, why are these proposed changes so broad and vague in their descriptions and requirements?
Personally I think SGI should reduce your insurance by the amount the rider training costs you for your second year of insurance thereby taking the financial sting out of mandatory training.
With the advent of Kevlar Jeans, Kevlar shirts, armour and the advancement in the cooling capabilities of modern jackets and all of the other advances in safety gear, there is no reason for a rider to go unprotected.
What are your thoughts on minimum gear requirements - people being people, do we need to be more clear about what constitutes minimum gear? What should that minimum be?
I'd love your comments and feedback - tell me what you think of mandatory gear and mandatory training and lets hear what insurance is like in your province.
Have a fabulous day everyone...
Belt Drive Betty
Editor & Rider
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