Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month draws crowd of riders in Winnipeg

Motorcycle enthusiasts gathered outside the Manitoba Legislature Saturday to help raise awareness about motorcycle safety.

Doug Houghton, past-president of the Coalition of Manitoba Motorcycle Groups, has been organizing the Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month rally for nine years.

Blaine Pedersen, minister of infrastructure, helped kick off the event. Houghten said the group has been on good terms with the various ministers in charge ot the transportation and infrastructure portfolio over the past decade.

"We hope with a change in government this relationship will continue and we'll see more improvements," he said.

The coalition has held protests in past years about motorcycle insurance rates, but the event Saturday was all about promoting safety for riders on the road, Houghton said.

"For automotive drivers: if you are making a left turn, look twice before you make that turn — there might be motorcyclists behind your frame or windshield, might be in behind a tree or a lamp post," he said. "Watch when you change lanes, check your mirror.... Always look twice before you make that move."

Saturday was also International Female Ride Day.