The snow is finally off the roads, the temperature is regularly hitting significant plus readings and the gophers are becoming brave enough to venture out of their burrows.

It must be time to break out the motorcycle.  The month of May is Motorcycle Safety Month in Alberta and the RCMP is welcoming the return of the Harleys, Hondas, and Suzukis with a reminder for cyclists and motorists to work together to ensure driver and passenger safety on Alberta highways.

Constable Mike Hibbs of Alberta RCMP Traffic Services says that since we've seen nothing but snow and ice on the roads since last October, riding early in the season has its risks.

"A big tip for motorcyclists this time of year, there's a lot of gravel on the highways as a result of snow clearing over the wintertime.  A lot of towns and communities are clearing up that debris after the winter but there are still some areas that motorcyclists need to keep an eye out for."

Hibbs says if you're just taking up riding a motorcycle to make sure that you choose one that you're capable of handling.

"If you're looking at a motorcycle, don't get something that's too big for you right from the beginning.  There are also some great courses out there that you can get yourself ready for the proper operation of a motorcycle."

Hibbs, who's a motorcycle rider himself, says it's also a good idea to take a refresher course on your bike.

"If you haven't ridden a motorcycle for a while like I did, I dropped it for a few years and then got back into it, I took the three-day course just to get myself refreshed on the maneuverability and handling of the motorcycle."

Hibbs has some other tips for riders.  First, he says, wear a helmet.  According to the Ministry of Alberta Transportation, you are 37 percent less likely to sustain a fatal injury in a collision when wearing an approved helmet.  Wearing the right gear, including shatter-proof eye protection, a durable, bright coloured jacket, long pants, boots that protect your ankles and full fingered, non-slip gloves.

Hibbs also says practice makes perfect and you need to practice in less trafficked areas before setting out on the highway.

"Every spring I take my bike to a vacant lot and I practice my slow speeds and I practice my maneuverability and stuff like that.  Slow speeds, as most motorcyclists know, that's the most important time on your motorcycle because you can drop your bike pretty easily if you're not prepared."

Hibbs says when it comes to cars and motorcycles interacting there are two key areas.

"Intersections is a real big one for us.  As motorists approach stop signs or yield signs on the highway as you approach an intersection, make sure that you clear that intersection.  The motorcycle has the perception that it's moving a lot slower than it actually is.  Clear your intersections thoroughly.  Lane changes is another one.  You have a motorcyclists that's outside of you on the double highway, your visibility in your mirrors, you may not see that motorcyclist until they're a little closer to your vehicle so make sure you do those shoulder checks before you actually move lane to lane."

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