May is Motorcycle Safety Month
Fast Facts About Deryl:
- Riding since he was 11
- First bike was a Lambretta 175cc scooter
- Licensed motorcycle instructor
How long have you been riding?
I was given a ride on the back of a motorcycle when I was eleven and everything changed. By the next weekend, I had a paper route and a savings account. Three years later, in 1964, I bought my first bike – a 175cc scooter. (In Alberta at that time, after passing a road test, you could get licensed at 14 for a bike up to 250cc).
First motorcycle?
A Lambretta 175cc scooter.
Current motorcycle?
A 2019 Yamaha Tracer 900GT. It’s my second Yamaha and my 20th bike.
Tell us about being a licensed motorcycle instructor.
I became an instructor with the Saskatchewan Safety Council in 1980 as a way of “paying back” to the sport. Now in my 43rd season, I may well be the longest serving licensed motorcycle instructor in Canada. I’m currently a road instructor with TNT Motorcycling in Edmonton (tntmotorcycling.com). I teach the Tactics course, a two hour, one on one course for rider improvement. This course is often used as a prep course prior to the licensing road test, and is also taken by more experienced riders looking to polish their skills. And sometimes the course is taken by very experienced riders who have moved from countries where they drive on the left – they need a road test in our jurisdiction.
What are one or two motorcycle safety tips you would give to all riders?
- “Wearing the gear” is obviously top priority – our school is strictly ATGATT.
- Scan farther down the road and maximize your hazard warning time – staying collision-free is mostly a mental game.
And for new riders?
- Take a riding course; and
- Practice! Spend some quality time focussing your practice on emergency braking, counter steering, hill starts and slow riding. Aim for smoothness.
And for experienced riders?
- Take an advanced riding course or a track day; and
- Change up your riding experience – vary your daily commute, tour somewhere completely new or learn some skills in the dirt. It will all help you be a better rider.
Favorite Aerostich gear?
I’ve worn the Classic Roadcrafter (2 piece) for decades and it works really well for me, in heat, cold, rain or shine. I love the gloves – particularly the elkskin gloves and my orange “lobster claw” rain gloves.
Aerostich-related or Aerostich-specific stories?
Ten years ago, I came off at 30 mph in gravel on a stretch of road construction in Ontario. (The local dealer said that the road crew had used a slippery dust suppressant on the road surface). I was wearing my Roadcrafter suit and only had a small bruise; ATGATT pays off!
Anything else you would like to share with our audience?
Your safety, to a very large extent, depends on your ability to effectively scan for hazards and on your ability to execute emergency hazard-avoidance moves when needed.
The safest riders practice their collision avoidance skills to keep them sharp. Then they use their excellent scanning skills to avoid needing those same collision avoidance skills!
Deryl belongs to multiple associations:
Member, Black Gold Beemers, Edmonton, AB
BMWMOA #16168
BMWMOA Ambassador Emeritus
Member, Iron Butt Association
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