CDOT Campaign Urges Motorcyclists to Ride Wise

STATEWIDE ­– In 2014, 92 motorcyclists lost their lives in fatal crashes, according to preliminary data from the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT). Of these fatalities, 97 percent were male and 55 percent were 45 years of age or older.

As Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month kicks off, so does CDOT’s motorcycle safety campaign called Ride Wise. The campaign, an effort to promote motorcycle operator safety training courses across the state, targets older male riders who may have thousands of miles of experience, yet little to zero hours of formal training on safe riding.

“We want to educate riders and prevent these crashes in the first place,” said Glenn Davis, CDOT Highway Safety Manager and longtime rider. “Training helps even the most experienced of riders improve their riding skills by focusing on techniques such as braking, counter steering and cornering.”

Courses also include the importance of riding sober and wearing appropriate gear. Of the 92 motorcyclists killed in 2014, 63 percent were not wearing helmets.

An evolution of CDOT’s award-winning Ride Wise campaign from 2014, the concept showcases real Colorado riders whose heart-stopping stories illustrate the value of safety training—even for the most experienced rider. To resonate with the biking community, the Ride Wise campaign uses on-line videos, roadside billboards, print advertisements and dealership tactics presenting authentic role models who rely on safety training to hone the skills needed to ride safe. Messaging uses philosophical sayings to emphasize life-long learning and encourage riders to consider taking courses to sharpen their knowledge and skills.

“The most important thing I’ve learned from class is that you’re invisible. Your safety is in your own hands,” said Rob Burleson, one of the riders featured in the Ride Wise campaign. “There’s no such thing as a fender bender on a motorcycle. You need to be responsible for yourself.”

The Colorado Motorcycle Operator Safety Training (MOST) program is comprised of 13 independent vendors across the state that provide motorcycle training courses for various riding abilities. The curriculum incorporates classroom education with real-life application on controlled courses, so riders can develop safe riding habits over time. In doing so, riders are better prepared to react quickly in dangerous situations.

Additional resources for riders, including class information, are available at COMotorcycleSafety.com.