As warmer weather arrives and motorcyclists return to Calgary's roads, police are issuing urgent warnings for all drivers to exercise extreme caution and reduce their speeds. This call to action follows a serious motorcycle collision on Monday that left a rider hospitalized with severe injuries, marking the first recorded crash of such severity in 2026.
First Serious Crash of the Year
Calgary police reported that a man in his 40s lost control of his motorcycle on Valley Springs Road N.W., colliding with a tree. The incident required road closures in both directions at Valley Brook Circle N.W. as emergency crews responded. Staff Sgt. Andy Woodward confirmed the rider remained in hospital on Tuesday with serious injuries, though no additional details about the crash were provided.
Police Training and Safety Month
In preparation for the summer riding season, the Calgary Police Service Traffic Section and Sheriffs recently conducted motorcycle training exercises. This training coincides with Motorcycle Safety Month, emphasizing the importance of awareness and precaution as more bikes take to the streets during favorable weather conditions.
Gravel Hazards and Speed Concerns
Woodward highlighted specific dangers facing motorcyclists, particularly the presence of gravel on roadways. "My advice to them is to slow down," he stated. "There is a ton of gravel on the road and that can take you off your bike really quickly." He explained that sunny days increase the likelihood of motorcycle collisions simply because more bikes are on the road.
The sergeant also addressed the risks of speeding, noting that once a rider loses control, recovery is unlikely. "A driver speeding on his bike can potentially 'lose their control,'" Woodward said. "Once you lose the control and the bike, you're very unlikely to get that back."
Alarming Statistics from Last Year
In 2025, Calgary police recorded six fatal motorcycle collisions. Woodward expressed a strong desire to see that number drop to zero this year. "I would very much like to have zero this year," he emphasized, underscoring the preventable nature of many such accidents.
Enforcement Efforts Intensify
Calgary police have already issued more than 10,000 speeding tickets in the first ten weeks of 2026, with 123 of those going to drivers exceeding the speed limit by 50 km/h or more. During this period, police responded to ten fatal collisions, four of which are believed to be speed-related.
Woodward noted that many drivers operate under the false assumption that collisions won't happen to them. "I think these drivers say, it'll never happen to (them), that they'll never get into a collision or they'll never be called by the police, but they are," he remarked.
Targeted Monitoring on Stoney Trail
To combat dangerous speeding, Calgary police are allocating additional resources to monitor traffic on Stoney Trail. Woodward reported observing speeds up to 175 km/h on this roadway, despite a posted speed limit of 100 km/h. "They are not slowing down," he observed. "This has been going on a long time and we've now decided to look at this area as a priority this year."
The combination of increased motorcycle activity, hazardous road conditions, and persistent speeding creates a perfect storm for potential tragedies. Police urge all road users—whether on two wheels or four—to prioritize safety, reduce speeds, and remain vigilant as the riding season gains momentum.
