Okanagan Motorcycle Ride for Dad brings out 340 eager motorcyclists raising $140K

Okanagan Motorcycle Ride for Dad brings out 340 eager motorcyclists raising $140K

The 2023 Ride for Dad procession of approximately 340 motorcycles makes their way down Hwy 97 in West Kelowna, BC.
Ride for Dad motorcyclists make their way along Hwy 97 in West Kelowna, B.C. on Sunday, June 11, 2023.

Ride for Dad organizers dismayed at lack of traffic control after two riders struck by vehicles within 30 minutes.

The Ride for Dad happens annually in cities across the country. The Okanagan chapter of this national fundraiser began in 2009. Its purpose is two-fold: 1) Draw attention to the sheer numbers of riders on local roads; and 2) raise urgently needed funds for local area cancer programs. Of interest is that all the money raised in the Okanagan, stays in the Okanagan.

Just last month, the local board presented the Sindi A Hawkins BC Okanagan Cancer Clinic a cheque for $100,000.00. The funds designated to brachytherapy treatment for prostate cancer at Kelowna General Hospital’s Cancer Clinic. Money pledged by local citizens and businesses to riders taking part in the ride.

Sunday’s Ride for Dad brought out 340 motorcycles taking six minutes for the procession to go by. That is a huge number of riders and a spectacle that is impossible not to notice. In fact, there were several families that took to the sidewalks and overpasses just to see the motorcycles go by. Even more waited at the first stop, Superstore in West Kelowna, just to give their children an up close and personal look at the bikes and riders, including some goggle wearing dogs and even Elmo.

A rider with a Elmo helmet cover takes part in the Okanagan Ride for Dad on Sunday, June 11, 2023.

I am utterly stunned that not one but two collisions occurred during the Ride for Dad before the group got to the first stop in West Kelowna. The first collision was with a motorcycle police officer, with lights on, escorting the ride to alert drivers of their upcoming presence. HOW DOES THAT HAPPEN?

The second, less than 30 minutes later, a driver turning left. I came upon this accident moments after it occurred and as a rider, it was obvious to me what had happened as I have seen it numerous times. The placement of the vehicles in the aftermath, the dents in the car etc.

Word among the riders is that due to the first accident, the parade of bikes got split up and there was an excess gap in rider groups travelling through. Each year, the ride is traffic managed through Kelowna and West Kelowna up to the first stop. What caused the collision is unclear and there are a plethora of stories about what happened during this year’s Ride for Dad including the traffic control company bailing at the eleventh hour.

This second accident, just like the first, completely disrupted the Ride for Dad flow of the motorcycle convoy, who were all of collective mind as to their destination, their route of travel, their safety and the safety of those around them. Now, this group had to be re-directed, broken up into further smaller segments that increased their risk again, to get around the intersection where one of their comrades lay on the pavement, causing confusion, further traffic congestion and then as they passed the scene of the accident, anger and dismay at the reason for the re-route.

What are the rules of the road among the two-wheeled travel options?

When did society become so flippant that our own agenda is all that matters? Just last week as I sat at an outdoor café, two license plated scooters drove up onto the sidewalk, narrowly missing a woman walking her dog, and parked right out front the café. The elderly woman was startled as she wasn’t expecting traffic on the sidewalk and nor should she have been. In the elderly woman’s defense, I commented to the riders that a license plated vehicle belongs on the road to which I received an off-the-cuff remark in return.

Aside from the Ride for Dad issues this year, is traffic now just a free for all? Are the current rules of the road even remotely effective considering all the various methods and available power, (motorized, electric or peddle power) of getting about town?

It has been reported that the City of Kelowna, in an effort to facilitate safe pedestrian movement throughout the city, introduced the electric scooter program. The idea in itself was a good one although not a big picture plan. The result, notably user caused, emergency room doctors reported an increase in injury as a result of misuse so much so that individuals needing surgery were getting bumped due to these incidents requiring immediate care.

Now the government of British Columbia, in their push to net zero, which we need, recently incentivized people to buy electric bicycles. Great idea except that electric bicycles are capable of speeds that match or exceed posted city limit. They are not licensed so they travel on the sidewalks, in the bike lane and on the rail trail doing these speeds, among walking pedestrians and animals, with simple bicycle helmets whereas their motorized counterparts are required to be licensed, wear DOT approved helmets and stick to the roadways.

As we change the methods of transportation and create areas for particular movement of particular vehicles (HOV lanes, bike lanes etc.), education and awareness need to improve.  Currently, in my opinion, the scales are incredibly off right across the board. Is it just me?

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Okanagan Motorcycle Ride for Dad brings out 340 eager motorcyclists raising $140K

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