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2021 National Motorcycle Profiling Survey

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The 2021 National Motorcycle Profiling Survey has only 6 questions that are designed to help define the profiling trends so we can focus our resources on the areas that need it the most. Your participation will have a long-lasting, positive impact on the community. This survey on average will take 1 minute to complete.

The information collected in these surveys has been an essential part in lobbying efforts at both state and national levels, and without a doubt provide critical data points for the grassroots activist to intelligently communicate issues impacting the motorcycle community and influence change.

Click HERE to take the Survey

With over 34,000 survey participants from all walks of life, the National Motorcycle Profiling Surveys, with 99% accuracy, has proven that many motorcyclists are being targeted by law enforcement based on appearance. This information was the foundation of the argument that resulted in the Motorcycle Profiling Resolution passing in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives with unanimous consent.

Notes:

**NO PERSONAL DATA IS REQUIRED. YOUR PRIVACY AND ANONYMITY ARE IMPORTANT AND RESPECTED. By asking for no more than your zip code, which is also voluntary, there is no personal information to maintain or protect.

**If you or your organization are interested in cosponsoring this survey, or would like to get survey results specific to your state, please contact David “Double D” Devereaux at:
doubled@motorcycleprofilingproject.com

Michelle Mallin Retires as Executive Director of Honor Bell

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To donate and support the Honor Bell click here

Michelle Mallin has been at the forefront of every aspect of the Honor Bell’s creation and operation since 2014 when she helped to begin the bell’s journey from an idea into a reality. A connector of people and organizations par excellence, she brought an energy and level of experience to the Foundation that was essential.

Michelle Mallin Executive Director

In 2018, Michelle was named the Executive Director for the Foundation and has shepherded its growth and operations even under the trying circumstances of the COVID pandemic in 2020. Since a 2016 cancer diagnosis Michelle has been not only helping to keep the bell tolling, volunteers organized, and fundraising flowing, but has been dealing with surgeries, complications, and treatments. Through it all, she has remained committed to the Honor Bell’s mission. Last December, Michelle decided that it was time to step down as Executive Director to focus on her health and family. She will remain involved with the Foundation as a member of the Board of Directors.

The Honor Bell has been seen many times at Veteran events at Dirty Dogs

Effective immediately, Chris Boyer will take on the role of Executive Director. Chris has been serving as Assistant Director for several months and has been involved in day-to-day operations, strategic planning, and more since he started

THonor Bell Foundation, Inc. is a Colorado nonprofit, 501(c)(3) corporation based in Denver. Its primary purpose is to provide a unique funeral honor for deceased military veterans through the slow ringing, known as tolling, of a ceremonial bell. The foundation also provides veteran outreach and community education.

To accomplish this mission, the Foundation produced the Honor Bell and renders “Bell Honors” at the funerals of U.S. military veterans and personnel killed in action to augment the dignity and respect that should be paid to those that have served our nation. In addition, the bell attends public events with a military or patriotic theme, and tolls in a memorial capacity. The foundation’s volunteers also attend programs in schools to educate young people about the significance of dignity, honor and respect owed to our military and fallen heroes.

Editors Note: As President and Founder of the BikerDown Foundation and Editor of Colorado Rider News – I was honored to do this article for Michelle, but very sad for our community. Many do not know, that Michelle was an intrical part of founding BikerDown in 2010, and was an integral part of the structure of BikerDown that still is used today. I had a dream, and Michelle had the tools to implement it. She worked tirelessly thru the many nights to always meet the deadlines that we had. In fact, she ran another non-profit simultaneously while helping me found BikerDown. While I respect her desire to want to spend time with her grandchildren and family, our community has lost a hero. Her devotion to this community is beyond words and I wish her all the best.

2021 is HERE! What Resolutions will you stick to this year?

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Editor & Publisher of Colorado Rider News

By: Laurie Montoya

2020 is behind us, A new year is upon us and many hope that 2021 will bring healing to all. The start of a new year is a time of making positive change, arriving at fresh decisions, and transforming old habits into great ones.

This year, life looks different than it did last December. When the 2021ball dropped the streets were not filled with hundreds of thousands of people, many celebrated in a quiet, low-key way, perhaps snuggled on the couch. 

As motorcycle riders, our bikers had more time to ride and saw an uptick in motorcycle fatalities and accidents and as a rider myself, I know it is time to consider what I can do to be safer on the ride. 

Dieting and saving money might sound like good 2021 new year’s resolutions. But, really, the best resolution you could make is: ride more motorcycles and make some changes in how you ride.  Here are some motorcycle resolutions to keep in mind in 2021

To get an FREE Insurance Review contact RiderJustice or visit this link click here
  1. Increase your bike/car insurance – not the most glamorous first resolution, but certainly the most important.  Colorado riders ride year-round and accidents as we know happen weekly in our community.  All riders MUST have at least 250k dollars in under or un-insured motorist coverage.  50% of all drivers in Colorado do not have car insurance and if they do another 25% of them have liability only.  No-one likes high priced insurance, but FREEDOM of the ride is NO LONGER FREE.  Do it for your family and friends if nothing else, family members are the ones who will struggle to help you if or when you have an accident.
BikerDown offers the Aflac Accident Essential policy inclusive in our Roadside Plus Membership for $35.00 Click here to JOIN

2. Add a Supplemental policy such as Aflac or MedPay – These supplemental policies are vital coverages to have in the event of an accident and will cost you less than you think.  I cannot tell you how many times a rider has said to me I have FULL-COVERAGE, so I am good.  Full coverage covers your bike loan or helps you if you hit someone.  What full coverage does not DO is help keep your family financially a float while you are out of work.  Health insurance will pay your medical or doctor’s bills.  But having 1 of these supplemental policies will help offset your loss of income while you are recovering. 

Aflac Accident policy inclusive in their 35.00 per month ($1.16 per day) membership that you can utilize in any type of an accident not just on the bike. 

MedPay – Medical Payment Coverage, also called MedPay, is a premium that your car insurance company must offer you. MedPay is relatively inexpensive, adding about $5 per month to the cost of many policies. This is because its use is limited, and its maximum payout is low. In fact, to forfeit the coverage, you must sign a waiver. The value of the coverage can range from $5,000 to $25,000.  Watch this video for more information on MedPay

3. Get your Living will and affairs in order – again not on most people’s top 10 of things to do, but vital in the event of an accident.  We all know that life can change in a blink of an eye.  Accidents can happen but thinking that your family and friends know your wishes or will honor your wishes after an accident of fatality is quite a different story.  We lost many of our biker family in 2020 and the aftermath of confusion would shock most of you.  Take a day to do your living will or watch for one of BikerDown Foundation’s Free Will Friday that will be scheduled for 2021 monthly.  They are planning on bringing in experts who can help you get your documents in order..

4. Motorcycle Maintenance – Regular maintenance is one of the best ways to ensure motorcycle safety on the road.  Just because your bike starts and runs…doesn’t mean it isn’t a risk for a breakdown leaving you possibly stranded on a ride and causing more damage to your bike when you are forced to get it fixed.   If you don’t know what you’re doing, then the New Year is the perfect tie to learn.  Take your owner’s manual and get more familiar with your specific bike.  You should also always check your tire pressure for the temperature and conditions on the road.  Your tires will lose pressure in colder riding conditions and not give you the performance you might need…traction is also so important in Colorado with the ice/gravel and other hazards that can be on our mountain roads

5. Get your endorsement – Many riders are riding in our state and nationwide without their motorcycle endorsement.  While your state may not require it, many states do…so taking that trip cross country you might head into a state that requires it. I believe there are also some insurance discounts/benefits that you can get from your insurance company by showing them that you have your endorsement or have completed some refresher classes.

6. Update your riding skills – Many of you have been riding for years, but there is not anything better than taking a day to refresh your motorcycle skills and learn some additional defensive driving tips.   There are also Accident Scene Management classes sponsored by Rider Justice and BikerDown that can help someone render aid in the event of an accident.

7. Is it time for a new helmet? – In terms of safety gear, a DOT helmet is one of the most important items you can add to the bike, and if you are planning on any road trips outside of Colorado, you will need to carry a helmet when you travel.  While Colorado riders have always believed in the choice to wear or not wear a helmet it is astonishing just how many bikers will compromise their safety in a bid to look cool on the road.  I too had never wanted to wear a helmet, but now have taken that leap to additional safety when I ride by purchasing a DOT helmet.

  • 8. Safety clothing and apparel – For years if you wanted to wear motorcycle safety gear you had to go to a sport bike clothing manufacturer and it really did not match your clothing or style of clothing.  Companies like Tobacco Motorwear Company have brought to the motorcycle riders (male and female) clothing such as Kevlar riding pants and jackets and vests that have D30 back protectors.  D30 is a new technology is the thinnest and most advanced protection against impact around.  Basically, it is very thin and flexible until impact and then hardens instantly.
  • Ride more often – you should try, and ride more than you did in the previous year. Set a goal of riding a specific amount of days per month. It can be hard to do with family, work and other commitments occupying most of your time, but if you are a passionate rider, then it shouldn’t be viewed as a chore. Even if you must go around the corner for a few groceries, make it your duty to take your bike instead. Once the nice weather hits your area, get out and join up with local organized charity rides.   Find a group of riders that share your passion and style of riding is also a great way to get out and ride more. The more buddies you have that want to hit the road, the easier it will be for you to get off your butt and go for a ride.

9. Plan a Motorcycle Trip – Colorado riders has some of the best riding in the country.  Make a list of states that you have always wanted to ride to and start planning. Road trip can get expensive, but if you decide on taking your motorcycle somewhere instead, you will enjoy the freedom and experience of getting to your destination a lot more. Now is the perfect time to start planning something for 2020 because, in Colorado winter is still upon us and will limit our riding over the next few snowy months.  There is some amazing riding outside of Colorado…so make your bucket list and start your saving for your trip. The possibilities are endless. You just need that determination and drive to start organizing things and follow through with it. You only live once, so you might as well make it memorable experiencing the unfamiliar.

Being pro-active with your riding and taking some simple necessary steps to keep you a little safer on the road seems to me to be the BEST Motorcycle New Year’s Eve Resolution!

Canadian Motorcycle Tourism Association Gives Back over the Holidays

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From the Desk of Belt Drive Betty:

On December 16th I got a call at 6:30 am that our second shipment of food from Second Harvest/Food Rescue was being delivered in 20 minutes to Veterans Memorial Gardens + Interpretive Centre.

With no ability to get volunteers at that time of the day, I warmed up my truck and headed down to the Gardens and began opening and putting away 25 cases of potatoes and meat.

Once that task was accomplished, I went home and grabbed the non perishables bags (40 of them) that Zack, my stellar 16-17 year old volunteer had helped me create from the generous donations of so many regional businesses.

I then headed back to start making the perishable hampers.

We had purchased every thermal bag in town in advance of this delivery!

We had gotten a whole ton of potato wedges and french fries from a PEI farm that was destined for the Japanese market. (The packaging was written in Japanese and the Product of Canada Logo proudly displayed!) Thanks to COVID, this shipment of potatoes that was supposed to go overseas went to thousands of nonprofits across the country!

Each perishable hamper includes 3 – 1 KG bags of potato wedges, three – 1 KG bags of shoestring fries, a 2 pound bag of shrimp and 10 – 12 chicken legs and it was coupled with a bag of non perishables that has a tin of home baking, cookies, candies, coffee, tea, chocolates, all sorts of coupons for a variety of discounts and free services, some hand soap, sanitizer, bath bombs, chapstick etc.

There is not enough Rub A535 in the world to take the ache out of my muscles. I tossed and turned so much the night of the 16th. I keep forgetting I am not 30 anymore!

But the pain can’t wipe the smile off my face or dim the light in my soul either.

In a day and age when smiles are hidden and hearts are sore…

Yesterday’s experience with the first round of hampers that went out to 17 spectacular volunteers in one organization and two spectacular volunteers in our own organization for Veterans Memorial Gardens moved my soul in a big way.

To see the tears in the eyes of the volunteer coordinator, knowing full well what the pick up truck full of thank you meant to her and her team, knowing I got to see that same look on the faces of two of our Veterans Memorial Gardens Volunteers and that I will see it again on the face of the Volunteer Coordinator for the nonprofit picking up on Friday.

It feels good to say “Thank You”.

BikerDown’s Adopt a Family for Holidays Meets Goals with Help from Special Donor

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Adopt a Family raised over $14k for families in need!

There is nothing more stressful than the holidays for families, whether it is the COVID world that we currently live in with job layoffs, food service industry shutdowns and in-home learning requiring 1 family member to not work.   Also, the normal high cost of living in Denver and surrounding areas makes it difficult for any extras each month.  Gone are the days, when a family can put a little away every month, or the Christmas savings accounts one used to open every year to save for the holidays.  Families struggle every year to provide the kind of Christmas that all children deserve.

BikerDown Foundation saw the need in the motorcycle community 10 years ago and implemented a holiday program called Adopt A Family for the Holidays.  Since its inception BikerDown thru Adopt A Family has helped over 500 families have the resources to provide Christmas for their children.

Each family in the program receives a $250 Walmart gift card and partnered with Walmart to provide a full holiday dinner and to ensure that children have food to get them thru the New Year.  What makes our program different is they allow donors to see their donations at work by meeting with the families, reading about their circumstances and getting to personally meet them at our Dinner with Santa. 

Their goal in 2020 was to help as many families as they could but to also be realistic that everyone in our community was struggling and that donations could possibly be down this year.  Adopt A Family even limited the number of families that could apply to 40 families, from the normal 75-100.  BikerDown Adopt A Family also expanded their reach in 2019 to include the Las Vegas BikerDown chapter which each year has reached their family goals with the guidance of Shannon Venturo from Full Throttle Law & Bling Devas, MC, Cheryl from Original Sinners, MC and the Southern Nevada Confederation of Clubs.

On December 11, 2020, with 2 weeks away from Christmas, they began to get very worried that they just would not meet the goal of helping 40 families. On Wednesday, December 16, Laurie Montoya, President and Founder of BikerDown and Adopt A Family, received a phone call that she will never forget.
Michael Lord, a local Denver entrepreneur, called to adopt the last 4 families in our program. Mike then asked if there were any other families that they could help. In a matter of minutes, Mike and his co-workers adopted 10 additional families that were on the waitlist!

The program would be remiss to not recognize all the Colorado donors of this program, that each year make sure to adopt at least 1-2 families.  These biker community donors have been the back bone of our program for 10 years and Adopt a Family would not have been able to survive and increase our help without their commitment every year.  We would like to give special recognition to Scott O’Sullivan from RiderJustice.com and The O’Sullivan Law firms, Greg & Brooklyn Chmel, Art and Khris Cleveland, Derek from Ironwood Earthcare, BO Martinez, Skip Hohnhorst, Eli Ohlauser, Deborah Thomas, Kevin Maki, and all of you who attended the November Chili cook off.  You are truly a blessing to this program.

Adopt A Family will continue the mission in 2021 and we look forward to bigger and better events that will enable us to extend our reach to more and more families.


We will all of you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.  I hope you will raise your glass and join me in say FAREWELL to 2020.

“Modified” Toy Run Scheduled for Saturday, December 5th

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COVID red levels in Denver and surrounding counties have put a hault on many of our charitable events and rides in December. Most recently, Rocky Mountain Harley-Davidson had to cancel their 35th Annual Children’s Hospital Toy Run. This has been a time honored tradition in our biker community in Colorado with attendance hitting all time records in 2019.

Rider Justice, BikerDown Foundation and Colorado Rider News took it upon themselves to try to ensure the kids from Children’s Hospital didn’t go without their toys for Christmas by organizing a Modified Toy Drive/Run and to put a smile on Kathy Yevoli, owner of Rocky Mountain HD face.

On Saturday December 5th, riders are asked to decorate their bikes, strap on their toys just like they have done for years and meet at Dirty Dogs Roadhouse in Golden at 12pm. Kickstands are up at 1pm and we will do a short ride to Rocky Mountain where Kathy and Marina will have bins and boxes ready to accept your unwrapped toys and gifts for the kids.

If for any reason you cannot make it on Saturday, bring your unwrapped toy today thru Friday to the dealerships.

Jason Mamoa shows again what a TRUE biker really IS

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By Laurie Montoya

Several months ago Colorado Rider News did a feature about celebrity actor Jason Mamoa and his love for Harley-Davidson with his short story videos. Today, Mamoa showed again what being a real biker is all about and that is giving.

To watch the video go to Jason Mamoa’s Instagram page

Mamoa reached out to Danny who is suffering from Pineoblastoma, a rare form of brain cancer and gave Danny who is a huge Aquaman fan, the phone call of a lifetime.

We would like to share this link for more information on the story. Every day is a giving day for a motorcycle rider and whether you are a celebrity or a regular rider, giving is in our DNA.

Growing COVID cases leads Gov. Polis and local counties to raise to the caution level red. Changes go into affect Friday Nov 20th

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November 20th Jefferson, Arapahoe and Adams County upgrade to Level Red

COVID cases are on the rise again in Colorado and it appears that more drastic measures for citizens and business owners is coming our way this Friday, November 20th. Local health and political officials have confirmed that Jefferson, Arapahoe and Adams counties will be moving to the higher level.

What does this mean? Here are the changes that will affect all of us.

  • Elementary schools are still able to hold in-person classes and middle schools can do either in-person, a hybrid program or remote learning. But it is suggested that high schools go to hybrid or virtual learning, if they haven’t. For colleges and universities it is recommended they go to remote classes.
  • Restaurants can no longer do indoor dining, but they can still do curbside pickup and takeout. They can also do outdoor dining by limiting groups to only members of their households.
  • Last call for alcohol is moved from 10 p.m. to 8 p.m. and bars remain closed.

Local groceries stores are beginning to see shoppers starting to stock up on food and other necessities as the fear of another shutdown looms in the unforseen future.

If Denver and other counties move to Level Purple restrictions, outdoor dining will no longer be allowed at restaurants, according to the new guidelines. Polis says he believes the Level Red restrictions will be effective in flattening the current coronavirus spike.

Of the newly created highest Level Purple, Hancock said, “We expect to be there.”

The state health department recorded 30,843 cases of COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, last week. It’s the sixth consecutive week that the state has recorded a record number of new coronavirus cases and reflects how infections are now at the highest level since the state had reliable data from testing.

There were 1,294 people hospitalized with confirmed COVID-19 and another 130 people with suspected COVID-19, according to the health department.

Owners Mark and Rob have been modifying our beloved Roadhouse since March of this year and have prepared for this higher level by the Health Departments

Before publishing this article, I spoke with Rob from Dirty Dogs Roadhouse in Golden and Rob confirmed that Dirty Dogs will continue to stay open with outside dining, however alcohol will have to stop at 8pm from the 10pm when Jefferson County was at the Orange Level.

Many Counties in Colorado are Raising the Level of Concern

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On Wednesday at 5pm, Jefferson County shifted to Level Orange — formerly ‘Level 3’ — on Colorado’s COVID-19 Dial, public health officials announced Wednesday. The new restrictions will take effect Monday at 5 p.m.

The announcement came just hours after Boulder County announced the same shift to Level Orange. Adams County also went to Level 3 or Orange on October 28th. See website by clicking here. Douglas County moved to Level 2 on Thursday, October 29th. Click here

Over the past two weeks, 2,513 new cases of the coronavirus have been confirmed in the county, public health officials said. During that time, hospitalizations in the county have increased by more than 75 percent, according to Jefferson County Public Health.

“We were hoping we could avoid these new restrictions, but unfortunately cases have continued to increase in Jeffco and across the state,” said Margaret Huffman, director of Community Health Services at Jefferson County Public Health.

Previously called ‘Level 3,’ the new ‘Level Orange’ includes the following capacity restrictions:

  • 25 percent or 50 people at restaurants, places of worship and non-critical manufacturing
  • Offices and retail: 25 percent
  • 25 percent or 25 people at gyms/fitness centers (groups of up to 10 outdoors), personal services and limited health care settings
  • 25 percent or 50 people, whichever is fewer, with space calculator at indoor events
  • 25 percent or 75 people, whichever is fewer with space calculator at outdoor events
  • 25 percent or 10 people at outdoor guided services
  • Virtual or outdoors in groups of less than 10 at group sports and camps

While personal gatherings will continue to be limited to 10 people from no more than two households —with face coverings and social distancing required indoors and when within 6 feet of others — many public health officials are urging residents to avoid all gatherings.

Is The Next Wave of COVID coming? If so, prepare Now!

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When the pandemic began last spring, people invaded stores buying all the toilet paper, cleaning supplies, and canned goods they could find. For months it was nearly impossible to find items like hand sanitizer, disinfectant wipes, and paper towels. Manufacturers have finally caught up with the demand, and it’s now much easier to find basic cleaning supplies at your local grocery store. But as the country is faced with the very distinct possibility of a second wave, retailers worry there may be another run on the stores.

A new survey shows a large number of Americans are considering replenishing their spring stockpiles for winter, and many are considering creating a permanent stockpile. The survey found 57 percent of shoppers want to restock depleted stockpiles and 27 percent are planning to buy more because they fear shortages this winter. The products at the top of shopper’s lists are toilet paper and hand sanitizer.

Paper towels and sanitizing wipes were also high on the stockpile list last spring. Back in August, Clorox CEO Benno Dorer said the company wouldn’t be able to produce enough wipes until early 2021. Another key item on the stockpilers list is canned goods. Shelf-stable products that can last longer than frozen or fresh food are a safer bet in the event there are shortages this winter. Still, 45 percent of people surveyed said they plan on buying items they didn’t the first time around, including frozen dinners, pasta, snacks, and other types of cleaning products.

Even if another wave of hoarding starts, stores could be better prepared for the onslaught of shoppers this time around. Grocery and big box stores have hired more people and increased the capacity of their delivery and personal shopping options. Supply chains are also more prepared for the demand than they were last time, and stores will likely place limits on how many items each household can purchase.