Seasoned OPP motorcycle drivers across the region will be taking a mandatory Spring refresher course, something they say all bikers should do too.
Last year in Ontario was the highest number of motorcycle fatalities in the past eight years with 32 deaths.
OPP Specialized Patrol Coordinator Lise Grenier says all riders, new and experienced, should spend some time on their bike before hitting the road. "Anyone who stays off a bike for as long of a period of time as we Canadians because of the Winter really should get to a parking lot to hone up on their skills," says Grenier. "Not only to get their abilities up, but to get back on the motorcycle and get to know the bike all over again."
The majority of motorcycle fatality victims in Ontario were men ages 45 to 74 and Grenier has a theory behind the numbers. "There are a lot of people who get their license at a very young age. When they retire, they can afford to buy themselves a nice brand new motorcycle, but they don't get the proper training," says Grenier.
"You may not have ridden a bike for 20 or 30 years and now you're going out with a much larger bike, a much more powerful bike than they probably were when you get your license."
Every year all 165 OPP riders take a mandatory one-day refresher training course.