Speed, lack of experience led to Calgary motorcycle crash that seriously injured one: police

Calgary police say speed and rider inexperience were likely a factor in a double motorcycle crash last weekend that left one person seriously hurt.

Around 8:30 p.m. on Sunday, July 7, a 2013 sport-style motorcycle driven by a man in his 20s was exitingwestbound Stoney Trail onto southbound Deerfoot Trail NE, according to investigators.

Police believe the driver was driving in the left lane of the exit ramp when he lost control of the bike, causing it to fall on its right side.

The motorcycle then slid and hit a guardrail on the left wside of the road before being deflected and hitting another motorcyclist, a 35-year-old man.

The rider of the first motorcycle was taken to hospital with serious injuries, police say, while the 35-year-old man wasn’t hurt.

Another motorcycle collision happened the next day, Monday July 8, at the intersection of 14 Street and 64 Avenue NW in Huntington Hills.

Police say speed and rider inexperience aren’t believed to be contributing factors in that incident.

According to the Calgary Police Service (CPS), in 2023, there were five fatal collisions and 104 injury collisions involving motorcyclists in Calgary.

So far this year, there have been no fatal motorcycle accidents and 27 injury collisions involving motorcycles. This includes four serious injury collisions.

“Rider inexperience, lack of training and unsafe speeds are prominent factors in motorcyclist collisions in general,” Acting Insp. Andy Woodward of the CPS Traffic Unit said. “While some motorcyclists do a good job of driving safely, unfortunately we often see dangerous driving behaviour, which puts riders and other motorists at unnecessary risk. Driving at safe speeds, wearing protective gear and adhering to the rules of the road are absolutely critical when it comes to the safety of all motorists sharing the roads.”

CPS has a few tips for motorcyclists to ride safely:

• Tune and check bikes before heading out for a ride, especially if the motorcycle has been sitting in a garage or in storage.
• Ride in less busy areas when possible.
• Keep in mind there’s sometimes loose gravel and weather changes that can affect and quickly change road conditions.
• Follow the rules of the road, especially speed limits, which are designed for ideal road conditions and for everyone’s safety.
• In addition to being legally required to wear a helmet, extra protective gear is encouraged.
• Be aware of what is going on behind you as you are riding.
• Stay out of blind spots and make sure other drivers can easily see you.

Anyone with information on either or these collisions, including dashcam footage, is asked to call police at 403-266-1234 or tip anonymously through CrimeStoppers.