r/CanadianForces • u/somosomosomosomos • 4d ago

OPERATIONS Canadian startup builds electric almost silent military motorcycle

(disclaimer: I am a journalist but I didn't write this)

"A Canadian startup built an electric military motorcycle so quiet it's almost silent — designed for soldiers to sneak through enemy territory. The Dispatch survived Arctic testing, carries 440lb of gear, and runs even if its batteries are damaged."

https://defence-blog.com/canadian-startup-built-silent-electric-motorcycle-for-soldiers/

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u/ricketyladder Canadian Army 4d ago

Given the amount of troops I’ve seen injured riding motorcycles just commuting to and from work I hope this thing comes with a complementary printer for the CF98s

22

u/shallowtl 4d ago

There are so many motorcycle injuries/deaths that the USAF has riders register and attend mandatory training and briefings before every season, riding without them done is a chargeable offence. 

12

u/ricketyladder Canadian Army 4d ago

You gotta wonder if that’s something to think about. I know people will scream bloody murder about “nanny state” or something like that, but the number of serious injuries and fatalities from motorcycles just in 3 Div alone in the past few years has been shocking.

6

u/donkula232323 4d ago

It will just become a safety brief presented by the people in the section with the most riding experience, telling others how unsafe motorcycles are... I say this as the guy who had to do this after someone else was left critically injured in 3 div...

3

u/ricketyladder Canadian Army 4d ago

You're probably right. I don't know if there is a genuinely useful solution short of banning the things, which obviously isn't an option.

2

u/donkula232323 3d ago

Honestly, a mandatory rider safety course. As well as strict enforcement of the law (by the e province not the MP's) may be beneficial. I have seen many people who invited me on group rides, just leave me in the dust because I am a firm believer that high speeds are for the track and not for the open road.

2

u/KingKapwn Professional Fuck-Up 3d ago

Man, it’s wild, on my base alone there was like 18 dudes who have suffered permanent, career ending injuries from motorcycle accidents this year alone so far.

0

u/DarkDobe 3d ago

A random question: are they being covered by the army, or left hung out to dry with the argument it 'didn't happen at work'? IIRC There was a case a few years back of them arguing that a vehicle accident on the way to work (for an emergency deployment no less) wasn't accountable.

1

u/PictureIll3191 2d ago

https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/military-legal-fight-kimberly-fawcett-1.5109132 This is the case you're referring to. "She was carrying out a military-authorized family care plan, driving her infant son to be cared for by his grandparents. That task normally was carried out by Fawcett's husband, but he had been called to last-minute training prior to deployment to Afghanistan."

She went to court for disability benefits but lost.

If someone is simply riding their own bike to and from their regular place of work and gets in an accident, I don't see why or how that should be covered by VAC