Colorado biker deaths up; May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month

April 28, 10:06 AMMotorcycle ExaminerKen Bingenheimer

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   Biker deaths were up in Colorado last year

Colorado motorcycle deaths increased to 98 last year, up from 90 in 2007, according to a statement released last week by the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT).

That figure came to 18 percent of all Colorado traffic deaths, although motorcycles constitute only 3 percent of all registered vehicles.

El Paso County had 15 deaths, which is the most for any county in Colorado.

The CDOT statement was timed to tie in with the designation of May as Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month.

“As the weather heats up, and more motorcyclists hit Colorado roadways, we ask motorists to be aware and look out for riders around them,” said Pamela Hutton, Governor’s Representative for Highway Safety at the Colorado Department of Transportation. “We also strongly encourage all motorcyclists – no matter how long they’ve been riding – to take a training course and wear proper gear, including a helmet. As a motorcyclist myself, I know the thrill and freedom of riding, but I also realize the importance of safety gear and the benefits of learning new riding skills to keep safe.”

Lack of training and use of alcohol or drugs are major factors contributing to motorcycle fatalities, 80 percent of which are found to be the fault of the rider, according to the report. More than one-third of all riders killed were "under the influence of alcohol." Additionally, 39 percent of the riders killed did not have motorcycle validations on their licenses. Nearly 70 percent were not wearing a helmet or were wearing it improperly.

CDOT oversees a state-funded motorcycle training program called MOST (Motorcycle Operator Safety Training), which certifies trainers. A list of these trainers is available on the MOST website. According to CDOT, "Riders who pass a MOST class can simply take their completion card to a state driver’s license office to get their endorsement with no further testing needed."

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