Colorado Department of Transportation has released the 2008 data on motorcycle fatalities. Transportation officials say 98 motorcycle riders and passengers died on state highways last year, a record. Motorcycle accidents accounted for 18 percent of Colorado traffic deaths in 2008, even though motorcycles make up only 3 percent of all registered vehicles.
CDOT says motorcyclists were found to be at fault in 80 percent of the fatal crashes. 70 percent weren’t wearing helmets or were wearing them incorrectly. 39 percent didn’t have a motorcycle indorsment on their license or had no license at all.
The previous record was set in 2007 at 90 fatalities.
2008 also was a record year for motorcycle registrations, with 173,873 motorcycles registered in the state. The state reported 157,000 motorcycle registrations for 2007.
The Big Thompson Canyon is a heavily wooded area of scenic beauty with rugged cliffs and high mountains bordering the Big Thompson River. As you enter the canyon heading west out of Loveland on Hwy 34, you find yourself in what we locals call the Narrows. The road follows the river, and winds around walls of granite, some rising thousands of feet in the air. Remember to keep your eyes on the road.
When you first enter the Narrows, you go under what we call the tube. This is a nine-foot wide syphon pipe that carries water from Carter Lake into Horsetooth Reservoir above Fort Collins. Back on July 31 1976 this syphon pipe was completely sheared off at the sides of the mountain during the Big Thompson Flood.
Thousands were enjoying themselves in the Big Thompson Canyon area near Rocky Mountain National Park in the evening of July 31st when a most usual storm gathered overhead. The scale of the resulting flood caught everyone by surprise. The record flood waters rumbled down the narrow canyon (see picture below) taking out everything in is path. Officials would later report 145 dead and $41,000,000 in damage.
Photo by W. R. Hansen, USGS. Aug. 1, 1976
In this shot My 68 FLH is parked in the area were the pavement ends in the above photo.
About in the middle of the Narrows
After only 1.83 miles you clear the narrows and ride into the open canyon.
I just needed to clear my head so I dropped down into Viestenz-Smith Mountain Park to take in the sites and sounds of the Big Thompson river.
I then headed back to town and reality. Ride Safe.
The Phoenix Police Department Traffic Bureau hosted the 13th annual Southwest Police Motorcycle Training and Competition on April 3rd and 4th 2009. The event is an opportunity for motor officers to share training techniques, while participating in a friendly competition.
The primary purpose of the event, is to raise money for Special Olympics. All proceeds raised directly benefit the athletes of Special Olympics Arizona through the Law Enforcement Torch Run.
Here’s the video of San Jose PD Eddie Chan’s 1st place run!
Here’s the overhead video view of the motorcycle competition course;
I have participated in many biker rodeo’s and always pick up some tricks by watching how a motorcycle cop handles his bike. When doing slow tight turns, or doing a slow-ride never use your front brake.
Up and coming LeoVince rider Josh Serne wants you to help stop the ban on kids motorcycles and ATVs.
The Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (CPSIA) has effectively banned the sale of youth off-highway vehicles (OHVs) as of Feb. 10, 2009. The AMA and MIC is calling for action now to help reverse the potentially devastating effect this could have on the sport of OHV recreation.
Go to MIC.org and AMA.org web site and start writing letters to your Congressman and Senators. This outrageous Government action needs to stop, leave our kids dreams and desires of motorcycling alone. Links and letter generator on lead-content regulations at the Motorcycle Industry Council. Links and sample letter from the American Motorcycle Assiciation.
