Colorado Motorcycle Safety and Laws

Before you hit the road on your motorcycle, you should make sure you are following the rules of the road. Some accidents happen because drivers have not earned the proper qualifications that permit them to ride a motorcycle. There are some basic rules and standards you must follow.

• You must pass a written test at a Driver’s License office and purchase a motorcycle instruction permit.
• You must pass a drive test at a Driver’s License office or with a third-party tester.
• You must pay the fee to add the endorsement to your license.
• Your written and drive tests can be waived if you enroll and successfully complete a Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) training course. When you present your MSF certification card at the Driver’s License office, you only pay a fee to add the endorsement to your license.
• You must also have the minimum of liability insurance. It would be wise to speak with an agent for additional coverage. You may also be eligible for discounts on insurance if you present your MSF certification card.

Motorcycle riders are five times more likely to suffer injuries in accidents than car occupants, according to a report by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Riders are also 30 times more likely than car occupants to die in a crash compared to every vehicle mile traveled. You must be aware of Colorado Motorcycle Safety laws to ensure your safety on the road. Here are some of the minimum standards to ride your motorcycle safely in Colorado.

• Drivers should wear helmets and eye protection for the sake of safety. Colorado does not require motorcycle riders to wear helmets, but in more than half of all motorcycle road fatalities, they were not wearing helmets.
• You should make sure that your passenger wears safety gear and follows safety rules. Your motorcycle must be equipped with footrests for passenger safety.
• Passengers are not allowed to ride in front of the driver.

Riding a motorcycle may be fun and adventurous, but it comes with big responsibilities. Drivers must obey traffic laws and still be aware of other vehicles on the road.

• Ride with your high beams and/or fog lights on to help vision on the road during rain or fog. This will also help heighten the awareness of other vehicles on the road. Wear brightly colored gear during rainy or foggy weather. Drivers should also make sure to wear reflective vests during nightfall.
• Motorcyclists are allowed to share a lane or “co-lane” with other riders. It is illegal, however, to share a lane with a motor vehicle in Colorado.
• You should not grab another vehicle while riding or try to pass a vehicle