CSP: Deadly motorcycle crashes more than doubled in 1st half of July

DENVER (KDVR) — Colorado is a great state for motorcycle riders thanks to the Rocky Mountains making for a scenic ride.

But Colorado State Patrol is reminding motorcyclists to keep up on their skills to ensure their own safety as riding a motorcycle can be dangerous, and deadly.

Even though there is no snow or ice to make the roads hazardous, summer is always the deadliest season on Colorado roads, with the 100 deadliest days falling between Memorial Day and Labor Day. During that time, officials always see a rise in crashes.

“Riding a motorcycle comes with greater risk than driving a car or truck due to the lack of safety features, including airbags and seatbelts. Riders are simply more vulnerable,” CSP chief Col. Matthew C. Packard said in a release.

Deadly motorcycle crashes on the rise in Colorado over summer

This year, Colorado State Patrol said it has seen the percentage of deadly motorcycle crashes more than double in the first couple of weeks of July compared to the first few months of the year.

So far in 2024, CSP troopers have investigated 135 deadly crashes — 21 of those, or 15.5%, involved a motorcycle.

“But when the Patrol isolated just the first two weeks of July, the percentages more than doubled, with 16 fatal crashes and 37.5% (6) of those involving a motorcycle,” CSP said in a release.

CSP said crashes involving motorcycles are particularly common on the Western Slope. Since the beginning of the year, troopers in District 5, which includes 17 counties in Southwest Colorado, have responded to 18 crashes involving a motorcycle with serious injuries or death.

“Most riders were from Colorado but not always from the region. Sixty-one percent of the riders did have an endorsement and also wore a helmet,” CSP said.

CSP reminding motorcyclists to keep skills in check

Col. Packard said motorcyclists have a responsibility regarding their own safety on the road.

“Receiving ongoing training, wearing protective gear and adhering to the rules of the road – these are the necessary steps for every rider,” he said.

He said one way that motorcyclists can keep their skills in check is with advanced motorcycle courses.

“It’s not the number of years you’ve owned a motorcycle that builds mastery; it’s the actual time spent learning how to control, corner, emergency brake and practice evasive maneuvers,” Packard said.

CSP noted that riding motorcycles in the mountains comes with added risks and said riders, especially on the Western Slope, should be ready for:

• Blind corners with sheer rock faces next to the road
• Narrow shoulders or no shoulder at all with sharp drop-offs
• Rocks, gravel and other debris from snow melt
• Switchbacks and tight corners with little preparation time
• Congestion from RVs and vehicles towing boats and ATVs
• Potholes, bumps and weather-damaged surfaces
• Wildlife

Packard said learning the “best techniques without building bad habits while increasing skills” will help motorcyclists enjoy the ride.

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