VICTORIA - Beanies and skull caps worn by some motorcyclists and their passengers will no longer be legal in B.C. as the province introduces new safety regulations to reduce deaths.
Starting June 1, only helmets that meet industry standards will be allowed as part of the revamped motorcycle-safety laws.
New regulations will also require passengers to place their feet on foot pegs or floor boards to prevent people from being thrown off balance and risk crashing.
Children who aren't able to reach foot rests will no longer be required to ride on motorcycles.
A campaign to ensure automobile drivers are aware of how to drive safely when they encounter motorcycles is also being rolled out.
The Justice Ministry says that while motorcycles make up about three per cent of insured vehicles in B.C., they account for about 10 per cent of road fatalities.
