The warm temperatures are here to stay, and that means motorcycles are becoming common on Manitoba's roadways. With that in mind, Manitoba Public Insurance is asking both motorcyclists and other motorists to do their part to keep the roads safe this summer. MPI Spokesman Brian Smiley notes May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, noting now is the time when most of the province's motorcycles are hitting the road. He notes when it comes to preventing motorcycle related incidents, all of the travelling public has a responsibility.

"Motorcyclists should be visible, ride with their lights on whenever possible, and where bright or fluorescent clothing just to add that extra visibility for motorists to see. For the motorists, drivers are encouraged to look twice when changing lanes or at intersections, just to make sure there isn't a motorcycle or moped in the blind spot."

He says there are far to many injured or killed in motorcycle related crashes each year, and hopes they're able to spread their safety message to help reduce that number.

"On average, three motorcyclists are killed in the province of Manitoba, and about 130 are injured every year. We'd certainly like to see those numbers reduced, and talking to the motorcycle community they'd like to see that number reduced, obviously, too. That's one of the reasons you see these awareness months, it gets people talking, and raises the issue of safety."

Smiley says it's important for motorists to be aware of motorcycles on the road, noting because of the nature of the vehicles those collisions can often have serious results.