Get your motor running – safely!

By Lethbridge Herald on May 17, 2025.

Lethbridge Polytechnic motorcycle safety instructor Janet Allen has been teaching the course there every summer, since becoming a licensed instructor in 2015.

Joe Manio
Lethbridge Herald
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Motorcycle accidents are 28 times more likely to be fatal for riders compared to other motorists, and Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month endeavours to reduce that tragic percentage. 

Observed annually in May, the provincial government and safety advocacy groups raise awareness about the dangers of motorcycle accidents and encourage safe riding practices. 

Poor rider training is a significant factor in accidents, but proper training, wearing safety gear, and following traffic laws can reduce risks for riders enjoying the freedom of the open road. At present, Lethbridge College teaches the only course on motorcycle safety  in town.

“Riding a motorcycle comes with inherent risks,” says instructor Janet Allen. “The best way to mitigate those risks is to recognize our vulnerability and learn basic riding skills to be able to be nimble when the situation calls for it. It’s important to learn how to ride defensively and expect other motorists not to see us.

“Since our tires only contact the asphalt in areas approximately the size of a cell phone, tire maintenance is crucial. Proper inflation and adequate tread goes a long way towards traction for steering, braking, and overall handling.”

According to the Alberta Motorcycle Safety Society, 70 per cent of motorcycle collisions In Alberta in 2020 were single-vehicle collisions allegedly caused by speeding, stunting, or loss of control. From 2016 to 2020, 38 per cent of motorcycle fatalities resulted from a single-motorcycle event. 

These collisions most often occur on dry roads, and riders were just as likely as drivers to be legally impaired. In 2022, the number of motor vehicle fatalities in Alberta was 1,931, and the number of serious injuries increased to 8,851.

“I find single-vehicle motorcycle accidents to be so heartbreaking,” says Allen. “So many of them are preventable, and are due to rider error, inexperience, and overconfidence. Object fixation likely plays a major factor in most of those incidents. Recognizing risks while respecting personal skill limitations, is something stressed in the course as it’s so very important for a safe, successful ride.”

The motorcycle safety course Allen teaches at Lethbridge College is independent of the acquisition of a Class 6 licence, which  allows you to operate a motorcycle or moped on public roads. Although it’s considered a wise decision, a safety course is not mandatory in Alberta.

To get a Class 6 motorcycle license in Alberta, you must be at least 16 years old, have a Class 7 learner’s license for at least a year, pass a knowledge test, and pass a road test. You can also upgrade to a full Class 6 license after two years of driving with no suspensions or tickets in the last year.

“Our course consists of a 3 1⁄2-hour classroom portion that gives an overview of the advantages and disadvantages of various styles of motorcycles,” says Allen. “We explain the importance of adequate gear, and provide examples of various jackets, helmets, gloves, and boots. 

Since riding a motorcycle in traffic has a few distinct differences than driving a car, our presentation covers lane position, hazards, group riding techniques, and general ways to take responsibility to ensure a safe ride.”

Although the course is a fantastic start to building safe riding skills, Allen says it’s important for students to  recognize that the riding portion is only 14 hours long. 

Spending more hours practicing on their own motorcycle builds confidence for new riders in a variety of environments and situations. 

It makes it an enjoyable experience for a lifetime of fun.

“The more you know, the better it gets,” she says.