CDOT tells Colorado Springs motorcyclists that these are the only cuts they should be getting

To remind motorcyclists to put safety first and wear protective gear, CDOT partnered with a local Colorado Springs hair salon to share a simple message — the only cuts they should be getting is by a barber. The partnership with Lisa’s Mobile Salon and The Rocky Mountain Motorcycle Museum is part of CDOT’s campaign to encourage riders to wear helmets, gloves and boots to avoid injury on the roadway.

To date this year, 111 motorcyclists have been killed on Colorado roadways. This is a 7% increase from this time last year. With 20 motorcyclists killed, El Paso County has the highest number of deaths of any county in the state. Overall, 36% of motorcyclists are killed in crashes that happen on weekends. The deadliest day of the week for motorcyclists is Saturday.

“Without a helmet, motorcyclists are vulnerable on our roads, and survivability goes down substantially,” said Darrell Lingk, director of the Highway Safety Office at CDOT. “Today’s event sends a strong message to every rider in the state to wear a helmet and take charge of his or her personal safety.”

In 2021, there were 137 motorcyclists killed on Colorado roadways, which accounted for 20% of all traffic fatalities. Most riders were not wearing helmets, and 15 of those fatalities happened in El Paso County. 2020 was the deadliest year on record with 140 motorcyclists killed that year.

"As Colorado State Patrol troopers, we see the life-saving effect of wearing a motorcycle helmet every day,” stated Col. Matthew C. Packard, chief of the Colorado State Patrol. “This campaign is a great reminder of the injuries that can occur without basic protection.”

The Colorado State Patrol can help riders develop new skills through the Motorcycle Operator Safety Training (MOST). For more information, visit comost.com. 

“We are thrilled to partner with CDOT this year to remind motorcyclists how important proper gear and safety training are,” said Jim Wear, executive director at The Rocky Mountain Motorcycle Museum. “Wearing a helmet and proper gear could save your life.”

CDOT also reminds vehicle drivers of cars and trucks to use caution around motorcycles. This includes carefully checking blind spots and using extra caution at intersections since motorcycles can be hard to see. In addition, it is advised that drivers never follow motorcycles too closely.

In addition to wearing helmets, riders can do the following to stay safe:

• Get a license endorsement. Getting a motorcycle license endorsement keeps the motorcyclist in compliance with state law and verifies the motorcyclist has the basic skills to operate a motorcycle on a roadway.
• Wear proper gear. Proper gear includes a helmet, boots that cover the ankles, riding pants and jacket, gloves and eye protection.
• Receive professional training. All motorcyclists can receive professional training. Long-time riders are encouraged to attend training classes for a refresher every few years.
• Follow all traffic laws. All motorcyclists are required to follow the rules of the road. In Colorado, lane splitting is illegal.
• Ride sober. Even just a drink or two can decrease reaction times, coordination, vision, judgement and concentration, all of which are crucial when operating a motorcycle.