Victims and officials gather at CDOT to urge safe riding this Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month

Media kit to be updated by 3 p.m. on May 12. Email [email protected] to download

Statewide — Today, CDOT, Colorado State Patrol (CSP) and victims of families involved in motorcycle crashes gathered at CDOT headquarters in Denver to call for more action on motorcycle safety in the state. State agencies announced plans for addressing motorcycle safety ahead of the summer riding season. Also starting today, the Click It or Ticket statewide seat belt enforcement period begins to encourage Coloradans to buckle up.

May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, and CDOT and CSP are urging both motorcyclists and drivers of motor vehicles to put safety first. CDOT announced it will begin a campaign to encourage riders to wear helmets. Last year, 44% of the motorcyclists killed in traffic crashes were not wearing a helmet. CSP is also relaunching its educational campaign on lane filtering, a new maneuver that became legal in August 2024. Resources, including educational videos on lane filtering, are available on CSP’s website.

The CDOT campaign will feature DJ Eipper, a motorcyclist, middle school assistant principal and dad who was saved by his helmet. In 2022, DJ was involved in a motorcycle crash near Carter Lake Reservoir. He encourages riders to always wear a helmet, boots, gloves, pants, a jacket and other safety gear.

Last year, 165 motorcyclists were killed, the highest number ever recorded in Colorado. Since 2015, motorcycle deaths have risen 57%. One of those deaths was Kolby Tyler Spring, who was killed by a distracted driver while riding his motorcycle in 2021. His family started The Kolby Tyler Spring Movement to remember Kolby by promoting motorcycle awareness and encouraging kids to get outdoors.

“We miss Kolby every day. Through this movement, we hope to create opportunities for other kids to enjoy outdoor activities as much as he did,” said Cassandra Spring, the mother of Kolby Tyler Spring. “No family should feel the grief of losing a loved one in a preventable crash. Please remember that every motorcyclist you see is someone's husband, wife, child, father, mother or friend. Prioritize road safety by putting distractions away, slowing down and always watching for bikers.”

CDOT will also launch a campaign to remind drivers to use caution around motorcycles, especially at intersections where they are most vulnerable. Motorcycle fatalities accounted for nearly one-quarter (24%) of all traffic deaths in the state despite being just 3% of vehicles on the road. Additionally, based on data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Colorado was the 12th-highest state across the country in 2022 for the total number of motorcycle deaths. Always look twice for motorcyclists and give them extra space, CDOT says.

“Motorcyclists can be hard to see due to their small size,” said CDOT’s Office of Transportation Safety Director Darrell Lingk. “This makes motorcycles especially vulnerable at intersections since drivers can inadvertently pull out in front of them. And for motorcyclists, that can be a life or death situation.”

New motorcycle lane filtering law

To address the rising number of motorcycle deaths, last year the state legislature legalized lane filtering in Colorado. The law was passed in an effort to allow motorcyclists to safely navigate through stopped traffic. So far in 2025, motorcycle deaths are down 10% compared to the same time period in 2024.

For motorcycle riders to lane filter correctly, they must follow these rules:

1. If a rider wants to pass, traffic must be at a complete stop.
2. The lane must be wide enough to fit the vehicle and motorcycle while passing.
3. The motorcycle must go 15 MPH or less.
4. The rider must pass safely and control the motorcycle.
5. The rider must pass on the left and not enter the oncoming traffic lane.

Lane splitting remains illegal. For more information on lane filtering, visit codot.gov/safety/motorcycle/lanefiltering.

Top factors contributing to motorcycle deaths

According to the National Safety Council, helmet use is a direct influence on motorcyclist fatality trends. On average in 2023, when compared to car occupants, motorcyclists were 28 times more likely to die in a crash and five times more likely to face injuries (NHTSA). NHTSA data also estimates that helmets saved 1,872 motorcyclists’ lives in 2017, and that 749 more lives could have been saved if all motorcyclists had worn their helmets.

Data from NHTSA shows that speed and alcohol are large contributing factors in motorcycle crashes. Twenty percent of Colorado’s motorcycle fatalities in 2024 involved impairment. The negative impact of alcohol and drugs, including certain prescribed medications, on judgment, coordination and alertness are well-documented, posing significant risks to motorcycle riders.

“Wearing a helmet and riding within your limits are the best ways to prevent serious injury or death in a crash,” said Col. Matthew C. Packard, chief of the Colorado State Patrol. “As you hit the road this summer, it’s imperative to gear up and practice skills before riding in live traffic or taking a scenic drive. Motorists should also remember to look twice and give motorcyclists extra space. In a collision with a car, they will always be on the losing side.”

Driver and motorcycle safety tips from CDOT

To enhance safety on our roads, drivers of passenger vehicles need to use caution around motorcycles. Intersections are particularly dangerous since drivers can fail to see oncoming motorcycles. Drivers and motorcyclists should keep these tips in mind to reduce crashes:

• Observe all traffic laws and always obey the speed limit.
• Always drive and ride sober. Even one drink can affect you.
• Avoid distractions such as phones or anything else that takes your eyes off the road.
• Yield to motorcyclists, especially while turning at intersections.
• Wear high-visibility personal protective gear and DOT-compliant motorcycle helmets. Learn how to identify a safe, DOT-compliant helmet at nhtsa.gov/motorcycle-safety/choose-right-motorcycle-helmet

Crash Not Accident

Note to reporters: Crashes are no accident — they are preventable. We would appreciate you saying 'crash' instead of 'accident' when reporting.