MPI looks into motorcycle safety

Manitoba Public Insurance is probing how to make regional roads safer for motorcyclists.

The public insurer is seeking feedback about restrictions on powerful bikes for new riders, mandatory training for older motorcyclists and limiting registrations to drivers who have a motorcycle licence (Class 6).

The Coalition of Manitoba Motorcycle Groups, which is set to gather at its regular meeting in Winnipeg Wednesday, will weigh in.

President Mary Johnson said some of the questions — such as those that relate to restricting new riders to bikes with engines under 500 cubic centimetres — are non-starters.

“The amount of CCs won’t help with the problem they’re having with the accidents,” Johnson said. “You can have a motorcycle with lower CCs that has more horsepower than a 1100 CC Harley for example.”

For example, CC, which stands for cubic centimetres, only indicates engine size and not top speed; a 600 CC sport bike could easily outpace a cruiser-style motorcycle, even if it has a higher CC.

Johnson said the question about mandatory training for older riders may be moot, because drivers are required to take a retest if caught riding dangerously and refresher courses are encouraged.

“To have mandatory training because of age is not something I’d support,” said Johnson.

Douglas Houghton, vice-president of the coalition, said better access to refresher courses is needed.

“We’d like to make the Experienced Rider program less costly to encourage more people to take it,” he said. “Most people who have ridden a long time think they know everything and they don’t need training, and that’s one of the issues.”

Houghton said he worries that limiting registration to people who have a Class 6 motorcycle licence would be discriminatory.

He said it would be wrong to disallow people who don’t have a motorcycle licence from registering one. He pointed out MPI hasn’t suggested people who don’t have a licence to operate a car or truck be banned from registering a vehicle.

Johnson said people who have weighed in on that measure are “quite agitated.”

Instead, she said MPI should focus on its training programs to improve safety. Currently, Safety Services Manitoba offers one- and two-day courses.

“We’ve been pressuring them quite strongly to revise the training program,” she said. “There seems to be an attitude coming out of there that you’re invincible once you’re on those handlebars.”

Houghton agreed, saying there needs to be a greater focus on situational and environmental awareness by teaching riders what to look and watch out for.

“These are things that are difficult to train for,” he said, adding a video or a virtual component may be helpful to ensure people “realize that just because you’ve got your licence, doesn’t mean you’re fully trained.”

Both say they want any loophole closed that may allow a person with a bad driving record to get cheap insurance and duck penalty pricing by transferring ownership of a bike to a family member who has a clear record.

They say that “defeats the purpose” of MPI’s merit system.

The number of motorcycle fatalities in Manitoba has climbed steadily in recent years.

Seven people died from Jan. 1 to Sept. 14 of this year. In 2025, six people lost their lives.

Since 2021, 29 people have died in motorcycle-related collisions. The average age was 48.5.

“MPI is committed to making Manitoba’s roads safer and regularly works collaboratively with its stakeholders on opportunities to do so,” the corporation said in a statement after it didn’t grant an interview request.

“In particular, the corporation regularly engages with community groups, law enforcement, government and other partners, including the Coalition of Manitoba Motorcycle Groups, to share data, gather feedback and discuss solutions to improve safety for all road users.”

Johnson said MPI and her organization work closely together and have had success implementing safety messaging quickly. A TV segment on motorcycle safety was recently featured in the MPI “60-Second Driver” series after three people were killed during motorcycle group rides.

morgan.modjeski@freepress.mb.ca