Posts Tagged ‘colorado motorcycle class’

RoSPA Facts and Figures: The Main Safety Issues

Colorado motorcycle classes | Posted by admin January 30th, 2013

Extract from “RoSPA Facts and Figures” by The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents

The high accident and casualty risk of motorcycling has been attributed to a range of factors. The European Experimental Vehicles Committee Report of Motorcycle Safety lists the main problems as:

  • the exposed position of the motorcyclist
  • the difficulty of seeing a motorcycle in traffic
  • difficulty in judging the speed of their approach
  • emergency braking that can tip up the bike in some circumstances

Mannering and Grodsky suggest five reasons for motorcyclists’ high accident risk:

  • car drivers tend to be inattentive with regard to motorcyclists and tend to expect collisions to take place with other cars
  • the operation of a motorcycle is complex requiring excellent motor skills and physical co-ordination, any impairment from drowsiness to alcohol or medication will have a greater impact on the likelihood of accident involvement
  • many motorcyclists are not properly trained on the intricacies of motorcycle operation
  • motorcycling may attract risk-seeking individuals due to the dangers involved
  • most motorcycles offer advanced performance to cars with better acceleration which may be difficult for the rider to resist

A TRL report states that two of the most frequent causes of motorcycle accidents are:

  • the failure of other road users to see the motorcycles
  • the incorrect use of motorcycle brakes

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Ricky Orlando’s Motorcycle school is the ideal place to learn how to ride motorcycles. Click on the link to learn more about our Beginner’s Colorado motorcycle class. We also offer intermediate and advanced classes. Call us today!

To read more about Colorado motorcycle safety, Colorado motorcycle training, and Colorado motorcycle class, visit our website: http://www.rickyorlando.com.

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Practice Makes Perfect

Colorado motorcycle classes | Posted by admin May 9th, 2012

by Robert Vaughan | wheels-in-motion.com

Your skills are good. You ride every week. Last year you took the Basic Rider Course and this year you took the Experienced Rider Course. Turning around in the street, two-up, is a breeze. And you do your SIPDE so well, watching 12–15 seconds ahead, that you can’t remember the last time you had to do an emergency braking or swerving maneuver.

But perhaps the problem is that you are so good at avoiding using emergency maneuvers that you’re out of practice. If you ride properly, you don’t get to practice some of your skills on the street. That doesn’t mean you should let them deteriorate until the next time you take a Colorado motorcycle class.

That’s why they make parking lots. And you thought those painted yellow lines were just there to corral the cars. Their real purpose is to provide a marked area to practice so you can keep all your skills sharp—not just the ones you use every day. The same skills which degrade in a few months can be retuned in a few minutes of practice.

Quick stops are easy to practice on a good parking lot with a good surface. Bring your speed up to 15–20 mph, look at a distant object straight ahead, and squeeze the front brake while you press on the rear brake. You squeeze quickly, progressively and hard. Do not grab the front brake. If you keep the speed the same for several tries while you start braking at the same yellow line, you can measure your progress.

Now comes the fun part-swerving around an object. Recently, one study found that an expert rider could swerve as sharply on his Gold Wing as he could on a much smaller bike. You won’t believe just how quickly you can swerve. Try swerving around an eight-foot wide obstruction (tennis balls cut in half) at 15 mph. Remember, do not brake or downshift while swerving.

Once you bring these two skills up to par, it’s time to put them together. Quick stops on a curve require you to (1) straighten up before you (2) brake hard to stop. Let’s look at that order again. First press on the handlebar near the outside of the curve. (If you’re turning right, press left.) Press until the bike is completely vertical. Be sure to straighten the handlebars as the bike straightens up. Once you are straight, all your traction is available for stopping. Look at a distant object straight ahead, and quickly and progressively squeeze the front brake while you press on the rear brake.

You have just put two skills (swerving and stopping) together (but not too closely) to practice quick stops on a curve. Now you’re ready to go out and face the world again, much better prepared than when you rode into that parking lot. You’ve tuned yourself up for another few months.

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To get additional information about Colorado motorcycle training or how to get your Colorado motorcycle license, visit our website Colorado motorcycle class.

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Learning to Ride

Colorado motorcycle classes | Posted by admin March 2nd, 2012

by Jackie Vaughan | wheels-in-motion.com

I learned to ride two ways—the hard way and the right way. I can tell you the right way is far, far better.

I was a motorcycle hater. No one loathed bikes like I did. Then my husband bought his brother’s little Yamaha 200 cc two-stroke. My husband had never ridden and the evil thing had tossed him off the back once when his brother gave him a ride.

My husband’s first effort wasn’t pretty. Remember that I hated motorcycles and was diametrically opposed to his having it. He got about four blocks from his brother’s house, with me following in the car. He had about 35 miles to go through Houston freeway traffic once he got out of the neighborhood. He kept dumping the clutch and stalling the engine. In frustration, he revved the engine and popped the clutch. The little beast was torquey and promptly popped a wheelie across the empty intersection and up into the yard across the street, where it fell over. My husband jumped up, knowing that if the bike hadn’t killed him, I was probably going to, and the bike with him. He yelled that he wasn’t hurt, but the bike was damaged. I went racing back to his brother’s house, yelling that it was Larry’s fault his brother was almost killed. Larry came running, expecting to find scattered parts of human and machine. Instead, there was a broken lever and a bent gear shift. The bike went back to Larry’s and my husband went home.

A friend kindly took Robert out on his Suzuki 380 and taught him the fundamentals. That same afternoon, Robert managed to make it home unscathed. Talk about dumb luck!

In the following two or three months, the malevolent machine, named Critter, managed to pop a weld in the header, almost deafening him before it was fixed, foul its plugs, and toss him into the road and smashing its new windshield when he hit a patch of ice.

Critter soon had a big brother, an magnificent 1978 Yamaha XS 11, macho maroon in color. It was a big 4-stroke and I was instantly in love. Robert had never carried a passenger, but we were too dumb to realize how much experience is needed.

I inherited Critter. Robert moved the bike into the street in front of our house and I got on. At least I knew to wear a helmet and long pants. He walked beside me as I made tiny progress. Then he ran beside me. At least we weren’t dumb enough to have him on the back of the bike as some people do. I got independent and took off and left him. When I got to the end of the block, I confused the brake and the clutch and ran into the intersection. A car was coming and the woman slammed on her brakes. She had no front bumper and the huge “crashbars” got caught on the bumper mount, pulling me and the bike against the car. She said some things I richly deserved and I profusely apologized. We gave her $20 for the broken bumper mount and I walked the bike back home, limping from the huge bump and technicolor bruise that immediately formed. It was not a propitious start to riding.

I managed to get a little better in the following days and thought I was flying when I hit 20 mph. My husband finally coaxed me to venture out of the neighborhood onto a back road. He said it would be a lot easier and more fun.

There was only one small problem. There was a slight slope onto the main road. I couldn’t coordinate brake, clutch, and throttle to get started. I sat there for an hour and a half. Traffic was backed up to the back of the subdivision and horns were honking angrily. Some whipped around me. I covered the tank with tears of frustration.

The gods of motorcycling must have taken pity on me, because I finally got out onto the road. Wheee! I was roaring along at about 30 when a car passed me. It scared me to death.

I finally got the hang of it and we made jaunts of about 150 miles with the friend who taught Robert the basics.

We had an accident on the XS 11 because of inexperience and lack of knowledge. Some cosmetic damage to the bike and a broken wrist for me. Robert was on the front, and took the pockets out of his pants. We were very, very lucky that time. We both got back to riding.

Critter continued its evil ways, throwing its chain and flattening a tire. Then, in 1980, Yamaha created the Maxim, and I was in love! I got one of the first in the city. I put a color matched full fairing on it and went out to play with the big boys. It made my heart smile.

The third day I had it, I was making a right-hand turn when the truck in front of me stopped abruptly. I was already leaned to the right and the ground sloped away, so down I went. No damage to me, but there was a tiny scratch on my tank and one on the brake lever. I was crying and swearing at the same time.

Sometime in 1981, I really learned to ride, and so did Robert. We took a class. I’d like to tell you what we learned, but it’s far too much to put here. We realized a lot of what we were doing was wrong, and there was a lot we just plain didn’t know. What we learned that weekend saved my life on the way home that night. A car pulled out of a crossover which is in front of a beer joint. Without what I’d learned, I would have hit him. As it was, I simply made a safe stop and let him go on his way.

Later that year, we happened to meet one of our instructors, who invited us to be helpers at the classes. We did, and in 1982, we became fully certified instructors. Every time we taught a class, our skills improved, too.

Then, about 15 years ago, the class was completely changed from a task-oriented one to a technique-based one. Everything students learned translated directly to any bike they rode.

Now we had a lot of the tools that had been missing. How to stop quickly on a curve, how to avoid going off a curve, how to set up for curves, how to corner correctly, how to turn from a stop, and most of all, the amazing technique of visual control. Visual control wows even experienced riders.

The motorcycle goes where you look. Robert and I have won awards for our teaching, but the real reason we teach is because we’re making safe riders and saving lives, besides making riding buddies.

I still feel the magic of seeing someone who’s never even sat on a motorcycle go from tiptoeing up to the bike as if it’s going to bite to mounting the bike with confidence and knowing they are in control and able to do a lot more than just start the engine, operate the clutch and gear shift, and apply the brakes. They know how to avoid obstacles, how to anticipate hazards, how to stop quickly, turn sharply, and avoid the problems most shown to cause accidents. They are riders, and good ones.

I had one student, 16, who came into the class saying her 250 cc scooter was way too much for her to ride. When the class was over, she dragged her parents over to my bike, mounted it, and brought it off its sidestand (I had the key in my pocket!) and told her parents she didn’t want that scooter, she wanted a real bike like mine. The joy was I know she could handle it.

The best way to ride? Take a motorcycle class. Studies have shown that 92% of accident involved riders are either self taught or taught by friends. Your friends are a garden of misinformation. Your instructors are a wealth of real knowledge. Which do you want to learn from?

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For more information on Colorado motorcycle training or how to get your Colorado motorcycle license, please visit our Colorado motorcycle class informational site.

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A Beginner’s Guide to Motorcycles: Training and Getting the License

Colorado motorcycle classes | Posted by admin July 29th, 2011

by Doug Wagner | local.primermagazine.com

So, you want to buy a motorcycle?

Let’s be honest. You want to ride a motorcycle because you think it’s cool, right? Don’t worry. This isn’t where I say, “If you only want to ride a motorcycle because you think it’s cool, then that means your head isn’t in the right place and you should never get a bike.” On the contrary, I’d say a lot of people start riding initially because it’s cool.

Once you begin riding, fellow riders start nodding towards you on the road. When they see you carrying your helmet or wearing your jacket, they’ll say things like, “Hey, what do you ride?” or, when they learn you’ve just begun riding, “Welcome to the tribe.”

Another appealing aspect of riding is the exclusivity of it. Heck, if most people rode motorcycles, I can almost guarantee you my main mode of transport would be a car (maybe). In the end, the best part of riding is the freedom. I think that’s what the nods are for – an acknowledgment of the common understanding of the desire for freedom. Wow, that’s deep.

I’ll start off by saying I’m not a professional and that this article is to act as a basic primer from one beginning rider to another. I’m not an authority in the motorcycle world and you should definitely do more research before purchasing your new set of wheels.

That being said, you shouldn’t just log on to a message board, browse a couple forums, or read an article online (like this one!) and take everything someone says as the gospel truth. A lot of riders are going to be talking from their own unique experiences, so just keep in mind that their stories and observations may or may not apply to you. Some will be providing advice from decades of cruising highways at 85mph on their Harleys. Their 50,000+ miles of riding experience sounds a lot different than advice coming from someone like me with less than a few thousand miles under my belt.

Now that all those disclaimers are out of the way, let’s get to it. You should weigh the pros and cons to help decide whether riding motorcycles is right for you. If you’re reading this article, I’m assuming you already feel it’s something you’re interested in, but even if it’s not and you’re just toying with the idea, that’s perfectly fine. Maybe this article will help push you in one direction or the other. The best way to find out, though, is get out and ride! Before the fun part, however, we must talk about the necessary part.

MSF – Motorcycle Safety Foundation

So, you know you want to ride. Now what?

Enroll in a Colorado motorcycle class. The course instructors should be friendly, patient and knowledgeable. If you’re new to riding, this is a great, safe way to throw yourself into it.

There aren’t any secret tips to passing the course, so just pay attention, be patient, and you’ll do fine.

Well, okay, I’ll pass on one tip…

Where you look, you go.

I’ve seen dozens of videos online where people ride their bikes straight in to a wall or a tree or another rider. These unfortunate people would have definitely benefited from Colorado motorcycle classes! Viewers may call these beginner riders inexperienced or stupid and they may very well be correct, but I cannot help but acknowledge why it doesn’t seem to be a rare occurrence. That reason is that when we’re on our bikes, we tend to travel in the direction that we’re looking. This is why someone would crash straight into the exact thing they want to get away from. All they’re thinking is: “Tree. Gotta avoid the tree… Avoid the tree… Tree… TREE!” and then they crash right into to it. It’s tough and may take some practice, but instead of fixating on the tree, you should look to where you want to go -not just with your eyes, but with your head, too, and your body will follow.

Keep this in mind during your Colorado motorcycle training.

Another tip. If you like speed, you know that feeling of “going fast” comes along when the objects around you start to blur. It could be said that “going fast” is simply travelling at a high enough velocity that your senses cannot process the activity in real-time. Perhaps it goes without saying, but this is unsafe because you’ve reached a speed at which you probably won’t be able to react fast enough to avoid an obstacle – that is, if you even see it in the first place. Keep in mind that Time + Distance = Safety. The more seconds and feet you can place in between you and the car in front of you, the better off you’ll be. If the driver in front of you slams on the brakes, having just a few extra seconds to react and/or just a few more feet of space to apply your brakes and start slowing down will help immensely.

Be careful out there!

Getting Your License

When you go to get your motorcycle license, just like for your driver’s license, there is a written test and a hands-on skills test. For the skills test, unless your DMV has motorcycles available on-hand for use (unlikely), you can bring your own bike or rent or borrow a bike from someone. If you took Colorado motorcycle classes, though, you have another option. Remember that certificate? Most DMV offices will let you use that certificate as a substitute for taking the skills test! They may need to see the certificate or you may receive a separate form from the course instructors that’s specifically for the DMV. This is another reason taking Colorado motorcycle classes. When you’re ready, you would just take the written test and be on your way.

In terms of the actual motorcycle license, odds are you won’t have a separate license specifically for motorcycle riding. The DMV will probably just label your current driver’s license with “M” or “M1″ or “M Class” or something similar. Just so you know, in some states the M class will carry over should you move to a different state. In others, you may need to retest.

Probably one of the most helpful tidbits of advice I can offer is: Read the handbook! I’ve met people who complain that they keep failing the written tests, but when asked if they’ve read the handbook, all they can say is how worthless that would be or that they already know everything. Apparently not!

Even if you’re already familiar with the traffic laws and parts of a motorcycle, it would benefit you to study the manual – even if only for a half hour or so. The test will most likely have at least a few questions that require very specific answers. Committing those facts, stats, and laws to memory will not only help you on the test but be good to have for when you actually start riding.

You can go into a local DMV and ask for the motorcycle handbook. No downside to looking it over ahead of time.

Passengers

One question that arises for some beginning riders is if there are different kinds of licenses that allow you to have passengers or not. You won’t need a specific type of license to carry a passenger on your bike, but you do need a motorcycle that will seat a passenger safely. Sometimes it is obvious, for instance when there is a second seat or the primary seat extends far enough to seat another person. Other times there may be space, but the seating area is covered with a cowl or a fairing. If that’s the case, you should not offer to give anyone a ride.

There are some things to keep in mind before taking on a passenger. You’re going to want to make sure you’re familiar with your bike first and that you’re comfortable with how your bike moves and all the controls before you consider giving someone a ride. Go ahead and ask your passenger what their experience with motorcycles is like. Have they ever ridden a bike before as a passenger or otherwise? This should help ensure they’ll know how to position themselves correctly when seated behind you.

Don’t forget that with the added weight of a passenger, your bike will move differently. It will not accelerate as quickly and it will take longer for you to stop. Factor this into your following distance. You also may need to lean more or less to execute a proper turn.

Overall safety is just as important for your passenger as it is or you, so he or she should be geared up just as much as you are. Should you take a spill, you want to make sure you’re both fully protected. If you see a girl in a short skirt sitting behind a guy on a bike, she may feel “cool” riding around, but I guarantee you she’ll feel differently after getting 2nd degree burns up the side the of her body.

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For more information on Colorado motorcycle training or how to get your Colorado motorcycle license, please visit our Colorado motorcycle class informational site.

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THE FULL STORY OF COLORADO’S SENATE BILL 040: Motorcycle Safety

Colorado Motorcycle Laws, Colorado Motorcycle Safety Training, Colorado Senate Bill 040, Motorcycle Safety, Motorcycle training | Posted by admin June 17th, 2011

bikersofamerica.com

Colorado Senate Bill 10-040 (SB040 – Tochtrop/Soper) “Concerning Motorcycle Safety Education Programs” was put down on May 10th, in the last days of this years’ legislative General Assembly. The bill was PI’d (Postponed Indefinitely) at the request of the House sponsor in the House Transportation & Energy committee, and the committee voted unanimously to honor the request.
A lot of controversy was generated by a consortium of opponents to the bill – a bill that sought to protect and define the use of the funds in the Motorcycle Operator Safety Training (MOST) program, administered within the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT).
So why was the bill brought forth, and what was seemingly so controversial about it? Let’s get into it, and start with some history…
ABATE of Colorado designed and pushed for this bill – and we’re proud of it. In conjunction with a number of long-time, altruistic training associates and MOST program founders, as well as previous and current ABATE state officers and coordinators, ABATE has the benefit and distinction of a long institutional history and knowledge of/with the MOST program and training in Colorado. We were there in the beginning. ABATE has remained upright in keeping with our mission statement “…to preserve freedom of the road, to unite motorcyclists, to promote fair legislation, safety, and rider education and to provide a network for communications on issues affecting motorcyclists.” Of course, no small part of this is the eventuality of saving lives and reducing injuries by providing formal training to motorcyclists so they are better skilled and aware on the roadways, a mission that ABATE takes seriously and strives for every day. As an original stakeholder, with the benefit of the rider in mind, we also consider ourselves to be a ‘watchdog’ over the state-administered program, a position we also do not take lightly.
The MOST program was created and signed into law in 1990. ABATE was training riders that same year. A ‘Rules’ committee was established by law “…to assist in the development and implementation of the program.” Under the Colorado Code of Regulations (2 CCR 602-3 RULES AND REGULATIONS TO ESTABLISH, IMPLEMENT AND ADMINISTER A MOTORCYCLE OPERATOR SAFETY TRAINING [MOST] PROGRAM)
I. “These rules are adopted pursuant to the authority contained in sections (of statute – editors’ note)… The purpose of these Rules is to adopt necessary provisions and procedures to establish, implement, and administer the Motorcycle Operator Safety Training (MOST) Program intended and required by the Statute. The intent of the Statute is that the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) use Motorcycle Operator Safety Training Funds to establish, administer, promote, PROVIDE MOTORIST AWARENESS PROGRAMS, and participate in the costs of the Program, so that Motorcycle Safety training would be more accessible to a greater percentage of Colorado consumers and would be less costly to consumers, thereby enabling more persons to enroll in and complete such safety training.” This is the verbatim language, and you will note that I emphasize the MOTORIST AWARENESS PROGRAMS in the text. It has a history (and we will refer to it again later) because “…provide motorist awareness programs…” became part of the rules at the insistence of the Western slope Riders for Justice organization back then, and by agreement of committee.
So there you have the beginning of the program in a nutshell; there were sponsors contracting with MOST, coming on-board to provide training according to the Rules, and let’s say for the most part the program was humming along and growing.
In about the mid-2000’s, and under the administration of a previous program manager (who is no longer with CDOT), disturbing and troublesome trends were taking place in that the historical MOST Advisory (oversight) Committee was unilaterally disbanded by the manager, payments were being made to reimburse contractors for items/expenditures that should be considered their own cost-of-doing-business (CoDB), and the ‘cap’ (or limit) on what a contractor could charge a student for training was also unilaterally removed in spite of protests. In the same time-frame, it is believed that a few individuals with ties to rider training were exerting pressure and their own type of influence upon the manager to manipulate some outcomes. There won’t be any details forthcoming here or later, but the belief is reliably-based. After a few years of some stagnancy to the concerns, it became time to “right the ship.”
Senate Bill 040 attempted to do just that, by bringing legislative pressure to bear into the program. In all fairness to the current administration and management of MOST, they inherited problems and we believe they have the best of intentions to service motorcyclists’ training and the legislative intent of the program. The bill sought to achieve three outcomes, 1) designate that 80% of the program funds be used solely for student tuition reimbursements and for the travel costs of rider coaches to deliver training to outlying areas of the state, 2) re-implement the cap on what students could be charged for a class by a sponsor, and 3) set-aside 5% of the annual MOST funds for motorist awareness programs. It’s important to know more than anything else, this is a bill about the functionings of MOST and its use of the funds.

The concerns of the average rider in the context of, let’s say, their right-to-ride don’t much come into play. Unless they’re keen on the subject, most riders are not much concerned about MOST except they may know they contribute a few bucks into it each year as a collective. And they have an advocate in ABATE. After the bill’s smooth-sail through the Senate, opposition gathered up and decided this was a problem bill that needed to be killed. Why? Much of the opposition doesn’t have a history with the program but somehow wanted to be a dog in the fight. With that stated, let’s take apart each section and the arguments beginning with the 80% use of funds…
1). First of all the MOST fund uses 15% for administrative purposes and that cannot change – it is law. The rest of the fund has historically paid for many things including supplies of all types (and many rightfully so) but had been extended to include coolers, picnic tables, carpeting, window tinting, etc. as reimbursements to contractors, and had gotten out of hand. These are administrative decisions, and once decided upon have a tendency to become future standard practice and even snowball from there. There has to be a dividing line or criteria of what constitutes direct expenses of delivering training and not nuanced decisions based on ‘want’ by sponsors and paid with biker dollars. More on this later…
2). The ‘cap’ on tuition that can be charged by contractors to a student is an historical and functional norm. It has served well and goes right to the very beginning of the creation of the program when legislators insisted – and trainers agreed – that a cap be implemented agreeably among the sponsors.

It is NOT an arbitrary figure, and takes into consideration the stakeholders needs. In essence, it is an understanding between training provider and MOST, and part of the agreement that in effect says ‘I will abide by the Code of Regulations, Rules, and spirit of the Program’ which is to deliver quality training with integrity and business acumen. Who can argue with that? Somehow, there’s an argument anyway – one that says “government is limiting my business to an artificial price ceiling per student.” This position has no merit. This is not government – it’s agency rules. Contractors initially agreed to it, and now some don’t like it?
· If a contractor doesn’t like the cap, they are free to exit the MOST program and train outside of the Rules. There is no regulation preventing a motorcycle training company from doing business in Colorado, nor one that governs the price structure in that free-market. Move along then, and best wishes…
· State Coordinator Terry Howard hit the nail on the head in a recent commentary when she stated training businesses that take MOST funds (tax dollars) to offset the tuition costs to students should abide by those functional Rules, and not attempt to change them
· With the number of training businesses operating under the MOST program, I know of none that have not succeeded in generating a profit as long as they have managed their business properly.
· The unilateral decision to remove the cap by administrative diktat may have been within authority, but likely wasn’t without a minority influence.
3). The 5% of the MOST fund that would be used as a set-aside for motorist awareness programs has been assailed by opposition who have characterized it from the beginning as a “raid” on the funds. This sensationalism could not be further from the truth. To read and listen to this bunk proffered, one is led to believe the program is being gored. They initially misrepresented the annual dollar intake into the MOST fund as being six million, and when that figure was challenged as incorrect, revised it to one million, which is still incorrect. At no time have they publicly retracted the statement of their figures. The true dollar amount, based upon the current operating budget, is about $571,000 according to Legislative Council staff, which has the responsibility of perusing finances of any bill before the legislature. Of that, $28,565 would be used for motorist awareness, or 5%.
· The use of MOST funds for motorist awareness is expressly authorized in the Rules and Authority (see article beginning.) This has not happened in the course of the Program, and should – it’s overdue.
· There’s an argument that says “Why should motorcyclists pay for it?” Using that logic, suppose motorists were to say “I don’t want my tax dollars used for motorcycling messages…” How would that go over with you? Because motorists do. In the scheme of public service awareness programs and roadway safety messaging, road repairs, etc. we are all paying the freight. It’s ‘Taxes 101’ – we all pay for everything. This small figure would contribute more to alleviating a dearth of messaging and hard materials, more than we have now. How about the Section 2010 Motorcycle Safety Funds of the TEA-21 transportation bill that ABATE helped to secure for Colorado? Besides targeting the motorcyclist exclusively, they will also be used for motorist awareness – it’s part of the monies’ usage.
· The 2007 NHTSA Technical Assessment of Colorado’s Motorcycle Safety Program recommends point-blank “Develop and distribute informational materials and communications campaigns that emphasize rider conspicuity, motorist awareness of motorcycles, and the reasons why motorists do not see motorcyclists.”
· Another hair-split is about who would carry out the program. The Office of Transportation Safety within CDOT would – the same office with authority over MOST. Yes, they do have expertise in this area, and yes, they do contract with and use outside ad agencies. And yes, motorcycling advocacy organizations could be a part of the process to approve – this does not have to be spelled out in a bill.
· Finally, if certain “reimbursed” items become ‘deniables’, then the savings conceivably translate into funds for motorist awareness.
The bill’s House testimony was on March 23rd in the Transportation & Energy committee. This hearing was nothing short of a disappointment – the committee schedule was overloaded for the date, and by the time SB-40 was up for presentation it was almost 6 o’clock. Opposition was presented first, as is typical because the proponents always want to have the opportunity to present rebuttal. The opposition was afforded over an hours’ time which included much off-topic rambling that should have been shut down. The legislators’ body language signified weariness, a huge Spring storm was moving in, and by the time we had our turn we were given less than half the time. The legislators failed to ask the in-depth questions we had the answers to. Suffice to say we weren’t given fair audience. For the sake of comparison, ABATE invites you to listen to the testimony audio in its entirety (about 1 ½ hrs.) and you can be the judge – we have no need or cause to embellish things in print. Give us a call…
A key to understanding legislation and law, and one that I touched on in an article a couple months ago is that when legislation is passed by a body and signed by the governor, it is always assigned to a department, agency, or instrumentality (or multiples) of the government to carry out the core legislative intent. Not everything about a bill is spelled out on the bill paper – the rest of the authority to implement, carry out, and/or enforce lies with the departments given that charge. At the same time, interpretations have to be made, and they can become lost in bureaucracies and managerial hierarchies.

For all that CDOT does, they are also a bureaucracy whereupon actions get gridlocked in the hierarchy of the chain of command and management; policy gets muddled. Not everything about the MOST program is perfect, and some things there are matters of interpretation as well. Generally speaking, agencies have but one Master, and that is usually the legislative branch. Sometimes it takes a shove from the legislature or the specter of legislation to serve notice and move policy where it should go. Such is the case with certain aspects of the MOST program.

This is not a jab at the current MOST managers; it’s upstream. Senate Bill 40 brought attention to issues in MOST. Legislatures are not inclined so much to micro-manage, but will review and re-visit existing law. Managers will find a redefined understanding of what the legislative intent is, their legal administrative authority, and what they can do – with the blessing of their superiors they hadn’t had before. This re-definition is taking place now. Before SB40 was killed, the House Transportation & Energy committee would have liked an audit of the MOST program – is CDOT/MOST opposed? No. It is likely to happen. The committee also wanted to consider the possibility of moving MOST under the Department of Public Safety. Do we consider this a viable alternative? No. The logistics of moving this program to another branch and re-implementing for start-up would be nightmarish. Does CDOT/MOST have the authority to restrict previously reimbursed items? Yes. Is CDOT/MOST opposed to a tuition cap? No. Is CDOT/MOST opposed to using some funds for motorist awareness programs? No. So, at the end of the day, there wasn’t much left of SB-40 that really couldn’t be done internally, and in consultations with the bill sponsor we helped put it to sleep. With or without the bill, change is on the horizon – mission accomplished.
The opposition may say they “killed” the bill, and they’re entitled to their opinion. For the sake of argument, let’s say they did. Since they didn’t offer up any improvements or modifications past wanting to kill it outright and attempting to take ABATE to task at the same time, then the logic follows that their coalition is defending the Status Quo. And that is unacceptable.

There are 175,000 motorcycle registrations in Colorado. $28,565 if used for motorist awareness amounts to 16 cents per motorcycle, per year.

For more information on Colorado motorcycle training or how to get your Colorado motorcycle license, please visit our Colorado motorcycle class informational site.

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State Reminds Drivers to Pay Attention and Watch for Motorcycles

Colorado Motorcycle Riding, Motorcycle Safety | Posted by admin June 17th, 2011

coloradodot.info

DENVER— Colorado motorcycles make up only 3% of the state’s registered vehicles, but motorcycle riders accounted for 18% (82 of 465) of traffic deaths in 2010. In an effort to save riders lives, the Colorado Department of Transportation and Colorado State Patrol are reminding all motorists to proactively watch for motorcycles, which can be harder to spot in traffic and easy to miss, especially when driving distracted.

May is national Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, so throughout the month, the state will focus its safety message towards drivers with radio public service announcements and statements on highway variable message signs, reminding motorists to look twice for motorcycles at all times. In 2010, there were 53 motorcycle fatalities from May through August, representing 65% of total riders killed in Colorado last year.

“With the weather warming up across Colorado, motorcyclists are eager to get out on the roads—we want to remind motorists to be aware of this increase and be extra attentive to their surroundings,” said Col. James Wolfinbarger, Chief of the Colorado State Patrol. “We also strongly encourage motorcycle riders to receive training, ride sober and always wear proper safety gear to ensure the highest level of safety.”

According to research from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, per vehicle mile traveled, motorcyclists are about 37 times more likely than passenger car occupants to die in traffic crashes.

Distracted driving plays an important role in motorist awareness. Distracted driving is not just related to talking or texting while driving—it is anything that takes a motorist’s eyes or mind off the road for 1-2 seconds or more such as eating, sightseeing, controlling children and/or pets, etc.

“Motorcycles are often difficult to see, not to mention much more vulnerable than a passenger in a car. We always stress the importance of staying attentive and focused while driving, but with the recent increase of motorcycles due to warmer weather, this simple task can really help save the lives of Colorado riders,” said Pam Hutton, CDOT’s chief engineer and governor’s safety representative.

Motorists should aggressively watch for motorcyclists at all times and always:

Check your blind spots before changing lanes or merging, especially in heavy traffic.
Double-check traffic at intersections before you turn or pull out.
Allow a minimum of two-second “space cushion” when following a motorcycle.
Use turn signals to indicate your next move allowing motorcyclists to anticipate traffic flow.
Always allow a motorcyclist the full lane width—never try to share a lane.
Stay focused on the driving task and treat motorcyclists with the same respect and courtesy offered to other motorists.
Motorcyclists are also reminded to make themselves visible to motorists by wearing brightly colored protective gear, strategically using lane position to see and be seen, using turn signals for every turn or lane change, wearing reflective tape and stickers and combining hand and turn signals to draw more attention to themselves.

CDOT hopes to continue the decline of motorcycle deaths in to 2011. “Motorcycles are vehicles with the same rights and privileges as any motor vehicle—if everyone pays attention while driving and respects all vehicles on our roads, we can help increase safety and save lives across the state,” added Hutton.

Throughout the spring and summer, CDOT will continue its Live to Ride campaign focused on getting more motorcycle riders to receive training and get endorsed. For more information about motorcycle training and safety, please visit www.CoMotorcycleSafety.com. For more motorist tips on how to safely share Colorado roads.

For more information on Colorado motorcycle training or how to get your Colorado motorcycle license, please visit our Colorado motorcycle class informational site.

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The Countdown Begins! Register today for the 2011 Ride Bright Conference

Colorado Motorcycle Riding, Motorcycle Safety, Motorcycle training, Organized Rides | Posted by admin June 8th, 2011

2011 Conference

SMSA MISSION STATEMENT

The National Association of State Motorcycle Safety Administrators is dedicated to serving the needs and interests of state motorcycle safety administrators and programs by advocating motorcycle safety and fostering and promoting the exchange of ideas and resources.

The National Association of State Motorcycle Safety Administrators (SMSA) is comprised of individuals and organizations working to make a difference. We are the people who coordinate the safety programs at the state level joined by other professional organizations, corporations, instructors, and individuals in intense efforts to make your motorcycle riding a safer and more enjoyable experience.

The SMSA fosters and promotes state-administered motorcycle safety programs and represents state concerns relating to motorcycle safety by working cooperatively with those individuals and organizations having an interest in motorcycle safety.

Our network and safety messages reach over 150 chief instructors/ridercoach trainers, 5,500 instructors/ridercoaches and 200,000 students annually.

SMSA is administered by an Executive Committee comprised of the Chairperson and six regional representatives. Additionally, there are standing committees that address specific projects.

For more information on Colorado motorcycle training or how to get your Colorado motorcycle license, please visit our Colorado motorcycle class informational site.

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Colorado – State’s First Motorcycle Storage Pod Aims to Reduce Impaired Riding & Save Lives

Colorado Impaired Motorcycle Riders, Colorado Motorcycle Fatalities, Colorado Motorcycle Riding, Motorcycle Safety | Posted by admin June 8th, 2011

blog.drivinglaws.org

August 13, 2010 – Traffic Safety – DENVER — The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) and the RIDE SMART Foothills motorcycle safety coalition will launch a pilot project Saturday aimed at reducing the number of motorcyclists who ride under the influence of alcohol by providing them with a safe place to keep their bike.

The project will test the use of a mobile storage container where riders can secure their motorcycle overnight free of charge and get a safe ride home if they have had too much to drink.

Beginning Saturday, Aug. 14 through Oct. 14, 2010 RIDE SMART’s motorcycle pod will be stationed at Cactus Jack’s Saloon in Evergreen, located below the dam at 4651 Highway 73. The storage unit, which is 8 feet by 20 feet, will hold 4 to 6 motorcycles and is located in the parking lot of the saloon. A kick-off event is planned for this Saturday from 2 to 4 p.m.

“We know from talking to riders that one of their biggest concerns is leaving their motorcycle behind if they get another ride home, so the storage container gives them a choice and peace of mind that their bike will be there when they come back to pick it up later,” said Jackie Mohr, executive director of DRIVE SMART Evergreen/Conifer and RIDE SMART. “We are excited about this new initiative and expect the concept to really take off. Cactus Jack’s Saloon is very popular among riders in the foothills and we think it will be a good place to test the concept and see how Colorado riders respond to the safe storage idea.”

The RIDE SMART Foothills motorcycle safety coalition was formed last year in response to statistics that show Jefferson County is consistently one of the top three counties when it comes to high motorcycle fatalities, with 42 motorcyclists killed from 2005 through 2009. Nearly half (48%) of those deaths involved a motorcycle operator who had been drinking alcohol. Statewide in 2009, 40% of motorcycle fatalities were alcohol-related.

RIDE SMART and the storage project are funded by a grant from the Colorado Department of Transportation and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The effort is also supported by coalition members including the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department, Colorado State Patrol, ABATE of Colorado, Law Tigers, DRIVE SMART Evergreen/Conifer, Morse Evergreen Auto Body, Carby Farmer’s Insurance, Master Drive and Colorado Sport Bike Club.

“Motorcycle safety is an important issue in Colorado and the storage concept gives riders an opportunity to make the right choice if they’ve had too much to drink,” said Pamela Hutton, governor’s highway safety representative at CDOT. “The timing of this project couldn’t be better, especially with the national DUI crackdown beginning August 20th through Labor Day weekend. A DUI is not worth the cost to human life or to your wallet.”

As Colorado’s first motorcycle pod, the Cactus Jack’s unit will serve as part of a pilot program to test the concept’s effectiveness and it may be expanded next spring.

For more information on Colorado motorcycle training or how to get your Colorado motorcycle license, please visit our Colorado motorcycle class informational site.

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Motorcycle Adaptations for the Handicapped Rider

Colorado Impaired Motorcycle Riders, Colorado Motorcycle Riding, Impared Motorcycle Riders, Motorcycle Safety, Motorcycle Safety Equipment | Posted by admin June 2nd, 2011

anabd.org

So you have a physical disability, perhaps you’ve had it all your life or just maybe you woke up in a hospital bed and found out the body you knew is no longer the same. You may ask: “What do I do now? My body has limitations. Will I still be able to experience the freedom of my motorcycle?”

As long as you are willing to accept your limitations, then the answer is a resounding YES. Some of you out there are worried about what others will think of you when they see adaptions on your bike or even see your prosthetic out in the open. Stop right there….don’t be your own worst enemy, just get out there and ride!

For more information on Colorado motorcycle training or how to get your Colorado motorcycle license, please visit our Colorado motorcycle class informational site.

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News from the Colorado State Patrol: OPEN CHALLENGE TO COLORADO TEEN DRIVERS –TAKE IT TO THE TRACK

Colorado Motorcycle Laws, Colorado Motorcycle Riding, Motorcycle Safety, Motorcycle training | Posted by admin June 2nd, 2011

DENVER, CO (April 21, 2009) ? At the state Capitol today, 16-year-old Megan Rhodes, a Chatfield High School sophomore and Honor Roll student, challenged Colorado teen drivers with a need for speed to “Take It To The Track!” Rhodes’ “ride” is a 2007
Rausch Ford Mustang.

The challenge came as the Colorado State Patrol (CSP) kicked-off their sixth season of the Take It ToThe Track program– the safe and positive alternative to Illegal Street racing which is hosted by Bandimere
Speedway.

“So Megan,” said Colonel James Wolfinbarger, Chief of the CSP, “I’m sure that with a car like that, your friends are always asking if you want to race?”

“They sure do Colonel, but let’s ‘Take It To The Track’! I’d like to challenge you to race me so we can attract the attention of Colorado teen drivers and let them know that they can have fun and make smart driving choices by Taking It To The Track.”

“Challenge accepted,” said Colonel Wolfinbarger. “Our program at Bandimere provides teens with a safe, legal and fun environment in which to satisfy their need for speed with their cars or motorcycles. Even some of us mature drivers as well.”

Rhodes also challenged several legislators to “Take It ToThe Track” and race her this summer at one of Bandimere’s premier weekend events. Rhodes also participates in gymnastics at Chatfield High School. ”We know that motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for young drivers,” Colonel Wolfinbarger continued. “We also know that when young drivers are involved in crashes, it is a direct result of their lack of awareness of the serious consequences of risk-taking behavior, as well as speeding combined with inexperience, distractions and often impaired driving.”

Colorado teen drivers are invited to join the CSP and the dozen other law enforcement agencies participating in the program, for all of the 23 ‘Take It’ Wednesday nights beginning April 23rd.

“During the past five years, more than 25,000 participants have raced safely more than 150,000 times.” said Colonel Wolfinbarger. “We sincerely appreciate our partners from Bandimere, Ralph Schomp Honda and AAA/Colorado who help make this program possible.”

“AAA Colorado has long been an active supporter of teen safety initiatives and is proud to be a partner in this great program for teen drivers,” said Linda Cavanagh, AAA Senior Vice President. “Take It to the Track is an excellent opportunity to educate both teens and their parents about the risks associated with speed and street racing.”

“Bandimere Speedway is proud to provide an environment for youth to have fun going fast safely,” said John ‘Sporty’ Bandimere, III, General Manager. “Continuing the Take It To The Track program with the CSP and its partners creates added focus and exposure for youth to utilize this safe alternative to street racing and keeping our highways safer.” ”Street racing has tragic and financial consequences,” said Carole Walker, Executive Director of the Rocky Mountain Insurance Information Association. “Since street racing is illegal and deliberate, a resulting crash may likely not be covered by insurance and that means medical, car repair and legal bills would be paid out-of-pocket by the driver?easily adding up to huge costs for teens and
their parents.”

“It can often be difficult for teens to make wise decisions when feeling pressure to fit in and are tempted to street race,” said Colonel
Wolfinbarger. “However in the end, Illegal street racing doesn’t accomplish anything and can get you injured or killed. Unfortunately too many young drivers in Colorado, as well as nationally, are involved in crashes, many of which involve fatalities

The CSP was the first state law enforcement agency to create a drag racing series for teens. The CSP, and the other agencies, will have officers present at the events to talk with teens and answer questions they have about cars, the law and making safe driving choices.

The Metro area law enforcement agencies participating include Arvada PD, Firestone PD, Lakewood PD, Jeff CO SO. Brighton PD, Arapahoe CO SO. Parker PD. Adams CO SO, Denver PD. Chaffee County and Douglas County.

The Take It To The Track program actively promotes the Alive At 25 (AA25) defensive driving program taught by CSP Troopers and other Colorado law enforcement partners across the state. The 4 1/2 hour AA25 course is offered to drivers between the ages of 15 and 24. The AA25 program is designed to be an early intervention program to prevent traffic violations, collisions and fatalities.

Take It To The Track dates are: April 22 and 29: May 6, 13, 20 and 27: June 3, 10, 17, and 26: July 1, 15 and 29: August 5, 12, 19 and 26; September 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30, and October 7. The program is open to all licensed drivers. Participants pay a $30 entry fee and can make as many runs as they wish.

All participants’ vehicles must pass a technical inspection by qualified Bandimere employees to verify that their vehicle is safe for racing — as well as safe to be on the street, prior to making any runs. Participants ages 16 & 17 must have a Minor Release form signed by a parent or guardian prior to participating. Forms and additional details can be obtained at the Bandimere web site: www.bandimere.com

#CSP First In Traffic Safety#

For more information on Colorado motorcycle training or how to get your Colorado motorcycle license, please visit our Colorado motorcycle class informational site.

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