Motorcycle Safety

CDOT Motorcycle Safety Campaign

CDOT is working to make Colorado’s roads safer for all users, including motorcyclists. Last year, there were 136 motorcyclists killed on Colorado roadways. In 2020, motorcyclist fatalities were nearly 22% of all traffic fatalities in Colorado, even though motorcycles represent just 3% of the vehicles on our roads. No one ever plans to crash, but some crashes are unavoidable. It’s our goal to ensure that every rider has the safest ride possible.

Motorcyclist kneeling next to a memorial next to the road                 Image of a group of motorcyclists carrying a casket through a graveyard

That’s why, this year, CDOT’s statewide motorcycle safety campaign brings awareness to the vulnerability of motorcyclists on the road and focuses on the importance of gearing up with a DOT-compliant helmet on every ride. The campaign is primarily directed at riders who find protective gear restrictive and do not always wear the proper equipment on the road. Head injury is the leading cause of death in motorcycle crashes, and data shows that 52% of motorcycle riders killed in 2019 were not wearing helmets. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration also estimates that 83 additional lives could have been saved in Colorado between 2015–2017 if all riders had worn helmets. CDOT recommends that motorcyclists take these steps to ensure safer rides. 

  1. Always wear protective gear and a DOT-compliant helmet
  2. Get trained by finding a class at https://csp.colorado.gov/community-outreach/most-motorcycle-safety-training
  3. Get endorsed by your local DMV
  4. Always obey speed limits and other rules of the road

Helmets are Uncomfortable. There is no excuse to not wear a helmet.  It's hard to see in a helmet. There is no excuse not to wear a helment. Helmets are too restrictive. There is no excuse to not wear a helmet.

Of course, it’s not just on our motorcyclists to make our roads a safer place. Drivers can also take the following steps to help prevent motorcycle crashes.

  1. Always check blind spots for motorcycles
  2. Always look twice when pulling onto a roadway
  3. Avoid distractions such as your phone
  4. Never follow motorcycles too closely

With peak riding season quickly approaching in the warm months ahead, it’s important to remember that no one is invincible or too tough to wear a helmet. CDOT encourages you to remember to gear up, wear a helmet, obey the speed limit, and watch out for each other.