Motorcycle Safety

Lane Filtering 

"Lane filtering - It's legal now" graphic showing a motorcyclist properly lane filtering at a stopped red light.

In 2024, Colorado passed a law allowing motorcycles to slowly pass between vehicles stopped on the roadway, such as at a stoplight. Lane filtering is not the same as lane splitting, which is illegal. Lane splitting involves motorcycles cutting between moving cars, which is dangerous, and riders can be ticketed for doing so.

To learn more about the law, visit our Lane Filtering Information and Resources Page.

CDOT Motorcycle Safety Campaign

CDOT is working to make Colorado’s roads safer for all users, including motorcyclists. In 2024, there was a record-high 165 motorcycle fatalities on Colorado roads. Motorcycle fatalities accounted for nearly one-quarter (24%) of all traffic deaths in the state that year, but only 3% of the state’s vehicle registrations.

Despite motorcycle fatalities decreasing 11% in 2025 (147) compared to the previous record-breaking year, it is clear that the number of deaths was closely related to warmer weather. The unusually warm months of November and December in 2025 resulted in more opportunities to ride and a significant rise in motorcyclist fatalities, increasing 167% compared to the same period in 2024.

Data graph of Colorado Motorcycle Fatalities from 2012 to 2024. Data reported as of Aug. 19, 2025. Source: Colorado Traffic Fatalities Dashboard.

Almost half (49%) of all motorcyclists killed over the last five years in Colorado were not wearing a helmet. Colorado law requires riders younger than 18 years of age to wear a helmet. CDOT brings awareness to the vulnerability of motorcyclists on the road and focuses on the importance of all riders, regardless of their age, to gear up with a DOT-compliant helmet on every ride. Helmets are a simple and effective way to reduce the likelihood of injury or death during a crash.

In addition, for your safety:

  1. Get trained - or brush up on your skills:  Find a class on CSP's Motorcycle Operator Safety Training (MOST) webpage.
  2. Get endorsed: Reach out to your local DMV. MOST (above) is a good option for getting a motorcycle endorsement. You can get more information on motorcycle endorsement on the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) Motorcycle Endorsement webpage.
  3. Keep your speed down: Always obey speed limits and other rules of the road.
  4. Gear up: Always wear protective gear and a DOT-compliant helmet. To find a helmet that's right for you, please visit the NHTSA Motorcycle Helmet webpage.

  Know the Laws. Ride Safer. social graphic Do Your Part. social graphic Wear a Helmet social graphic

CDOT encourages motorcyclists to always gear up, wear a helmet, obey the speed limit, and watch out for each other. Of course, it’s not just up to motorcyclists to make our roads safer. Drivers also need to take the following steps to help prevent collisions with motorcycles:

  1. Always check blind spots for motorcycles.
  2. Always look twice when pulling onto a roadway. Motorcycles can be hard to see.
  3. Avoid distractions, such as your cellphone.
  4. Never follow motorcycles too closely.

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