Colorado Rider News

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From the Publisher

Motorcycle Riders Will Be Forever #BikerStrong

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Laurie Montoya, Publisher

1 year ago, we were all living in a different space with COVID shutting all our lives down.  COVID was peaking and our national and local government’s initiated mandatory shutdowns in the hopes that the shutdown would stop the spread.

I am happy to report that while many businesses have closed or will never re-open, our most of biker related businesses have found a way to survive here in Colorado and that is because of the YOU. 

It was during these times of hardship that Colorado biker businesses and riders summoned the strength and resilience that lives deep in our DNA to survive. Our biker’s business proved that no matter how often we are knocked down, we will keep getting up and get through this pandemic together. Your commitment to support biker bars thru take out orders, direct donation and continuing to wear your masks has given these businesses just enough revenue to keep their doors open. 

The challenges that biker establishments like Dirty Dogs Roadhouse and others have endured, the additional costs involved to remain compliant will take years to recover from, but 1 thing is clear…the biker community is resilient and a community of riders that stand together will forever be #bikerstrong

Colorado Rider News, the only remaining monthly motorcycle publication in our community also faced challenges, and thanks to our motorcycle advertisers and subscribers who continued to read our publication online, we too were able to weather the COVID storm and are still here today!

The future of our motorcycle events in Colorado are increasing, and slowly events are filling up our event calendar.  Dealerships, promotors, and charities who struggled thru 2020, are scheduling their annual rides and events and we ask everyone to do what you can to support them. 

In this issue we will share with our readers and update on the 2nd  Colorado Motorcycle Swap Meet held at Dirty Dogs Roadhouse in March.  We have also dedicated a portion of this month’s issue to Women riders, their upcoming events, and businesses. 

Lastly, April is also Child Abuse Awareness month and CRN was honored to touch base with Biker’s for Justice and Christian Riders MM who will both be hosting rides to bring awareness to child abuse and trafficking.

As always enjoy the ride, let us know what we can do better and BE SAFE OUT THERE

Laurie Montoya

Publisher

Colorado Rider News

info@coloradoridernews.com

Publisher, Colorado Rider News

Letter from the Publisher – Spring is in the Air

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Laurie is Publisher and Editor of Colorado Rider News

March is here and with the warmer temperatures here, its hard to not start looking forward to spring rides, events and trying to get back to normal.  Today it was in the news that the governors of Texas and Mississippi both announced that TODAY they would be lifting their states’ mask mandates and rolling back many of their Covid-19 health mandates, just one day after the CDC warned against complacency in the face of emerging coronavirus variants.

The future of our motorcycle events in Colorado are beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel and more events are being added to our Event Calendar in the hopes that restrictions will continue to loosen up. 

In this issue we will share with our readers The Colorado Motorcycle Swap Meet held at Dirty Dogs Roadhouse in February.  This was a combined effort of the Motorcycle Expo, Dirty Dogs Roadhouse, Rider Justice and Colorado Rider News whose only goal was helping our local biker owned business get thru these winter months due to the official Expo being postponed to 2022.

Colorado Riders News is proud to work with charities, riding groups and biker businesses to help promote your event.  Please visit our website and submit your event on our calendar and we will make sure it gets on the calendar at no-charge.

On a safety note, please ride safe out there, even with the beautiful weather, there is sand in the mountains and on the roads.  Watch the conditions of possible black ice in the shade.

As always enjoy the ride, let us know what we can do better and BE SAFE OUT THERE

Laurie Montoya, Publisher

Colorado Rider News

info@coloradoridernews.com

Publisher, Colorado Rider News

Letter from the Publisher

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We Are Back

Yes, you heard it right, we are back publishing hard copy issues. Due to the Dept of Health lowering our COVID health levels designated by Gov. Polis, many of our biker bars and restaurants are back open.  This has been a difficult year for Colorado Rider News.  We have experienced the same hardships and lost revenue due to COVID shutdowns by our biker business.   I would be remiss not to thank Rider Justice for continuing to support Colorado Rider News in its advertising in hard copy and online media.   The past few years have seen many of our other publications such as Thunder Roads and Scooter News shut down.  It was never that they were not both great publications, hard print advertising is being pushed out by online social media digital marketing.

I have long said to potential advertisers that motorcycle and powersports riders still like to sit down at their local biker bar and pick up a copy of a magazine 100% devoted to riding in Colorado.

Our goal for 2021 is to continue to provide you the most updated local motorcycle related information, continue to promote biker owned businesses, be an active part in the new motorcycle swap meet at Dirty Dogs, motorcycle safety, new product reviews on products that will bring value to your riding.

We ask you to be a part of this publication and continue to update us on what is going on in your biker group or community.

As always enjoy the ride, let us know what we can do better and BE SAFE OUT THERE

Laurie Montoya

Publisher

Colorado Rider News

info@coloradoridernews.com

Publisher, Colorado Rider News

Are you ready to ride in 2021?

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President/Founder BikerDown Foundation

By Laurie Montoya, President & Founder of BikerDown Foundation

Warmer weather and year-round riding has become our New Normal.  Gone are the days when you winterized your bike and put her or him away for the winter months.  The growth of BikerDown nationwide and in warmer climates has seen an up tick in rider accidents in our chapters and nationwide.

Sadly, COVID it has it us all hard in one way or another.  We are seeing cagers now choosing to drive with very limited insurance or NO INSURANCE and riders having to lower the levels of their policy. BikerDown has a membership program that is different than most program that you are currently enrolled in and  we ask you in 2021 to take a look at what our programs offer.  They are priced to give you value and services you will need in the event of a breakdown, accident or fatality.

To Join Click here

In 2020, BikerDown implemented levels of assistance based on membership.  While we will always help ALL riders who request help, being a PAID member will give you higher levels of assistance available thru BikerDown.

Riding comes with risks and rewards, but we all can make a decision today to try to get additional supplemental coverage to ensure in the event of an accident, we can focus on recovery and not how to keep a roof over our heads.

Here is a brief outline of our most valued memberships

ROADSIDE PLUS – This is our most valuable membership level at $35.00 per month ($1.16 per day).  The cost to pay for your services is $29.69, so BikerDown only receives $5.31 into our Accident Fund to help injured riders.
BikerDown Assistance – By being a paid member of BikerDown in 2021, you will have access to a highest level of assistance in the event of an accident.

To sign up please click here

Aflac Individual Accident Indemnity Policy that includeson the job coverage + nationwide motorcycle towing from MTS.
Every motorcycle accident is serious and most riders just don’t realize how bad it is or how under covered they are until it happens to them. 

On average, injured riders can be out of work for 6-10 weeks depending on the severity of their injuries.  This supplemental accident policy can pay you cash money to use for household expenses to keep you going during recovery.  Most of the time Aflac will pay you more money than any fundraiser friends or family can raise. 

Nationwide Motorcycle Towing – you are covered by your bike insurance and think that you are covered, but do you really know what type of tow truck will be dispatched when your bike breaks down.  Have you also asked them if you ask for roadside will that go against you as a claim?  Worry no more, we have partners with MTS the #1 motorcycle towing company in the US/Canada. 

They have certified motorcycle towers ready.  This level of coverage would cost you over $55 dollars per year and includes 2 tows per year at $150 each tow. This is inclusive in your BD Roadside Plus Membership.

http://bikerdown.org/join-us/

ROADSIDE – This membership level at $35 per year and has been our best seller for year.  

BikerDown Assistance – By being a paid member of BikerDown in 2021, you will have access to a higher level of assistance in the event of an accident.
Nationwide Motorcycle Towing – you are covered by your bike insurance and think that you are covered, but do you really know what type of tow truck will be dispatched when your bike breaks down. 

Have you also asked them if you ask for roadside will that go against you as a claim?  Worry no more, we have partners with MTS the #1 motorcycle towing company in the US/Canada.  They have certified motorcycle towers ready.  This level of coverage would cost you over $55 dollars per year and includes 2 tows per year at $150 each tow. This is inclusive in your BD Roadside Plus Membership.

50% of Drivers have little or no insurance – ARE YOU SURE YOUR COVERED?

Insurance Checklist 2020 has seen many challenges financially and emotionally.  Families are having to make hard decisions.  Insurances on your car or bike seems to be 1 of the first to let lapse when trying to keep a roof over your head.  Motorcycle riders NOW more than ever must NOT LET YOUR POLICY LAPSE and in fact riders should find a way to ADD under or un-insured motorist to their policy or risk the chance of that driver having NO COVERAGE!  
RiderJustice.com has provided this this checklist to help make sure that you’re covered properly.  As a motorcycle rider, you need to have each of the following coverages:

  • Underinsured Motorist (UIM) – Purchase a minimum of $250,000
  • Medical Payments (MedPay) – get the maximum offered by your insurance company, usually between $5k and $25k
  • Umbrella Policy – If you own your home, you need an underinsured motorists’ umbrella policy for $1 million.
  • Liability – Purchase a minimum of $250,000;
  • Collision
  • Comprehensive
  • Accessories Coverage – This protects all of the customized accessories on your bike. (Be sure to get replacement value coverage)

Before your next ride, call your insurance provider today and get the coverage you need to be safe on the road.

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!

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.

Motorcycle Shows will have a different look and feel but appear to be moving forward in 2021

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As we get closer to saying Good riddance to 2020, one has to wonder what the future holds for 2021 events, shows and rallys. We have spent a year of our events cancelled, rescheduled and many will be unable to survive due to COVID-19 and the shutdowns put in place.

Harley-Davidson U.S. sales have plunged in their 2nd and 3rd quarter of 2020. The steepest decline in the past 6 years. Yamaha sales are down 7.8% compared to 2019, and many dealerships are struggling to keep the doors open.

What does this mean for our industry?

Click here for more information

International Motorcycle Shows have announced that they are taking your 39th year into a new chapter.  They have announced yesterday, after 5-years in the making, Progressive® IMS Outdoors – a tour of immersive powersports events that connects your brand with riders and prospective riders of all ages that share a passion for riding 2 and 4-wheel vehicles or wish to learn. The events will offer a weekend full of interactive experiences to aid in buying decisions, exploration of new products and lifestyles, and hours of family-friendly fun. 

These events will replace the long-standing series of indoor events that we have traditionally held November – February and will begin next Summer in 2021. The previously scheduled 2020-2021 indoor events have been canceled in light of concerns around COVID-19 and to pave the way for this new, exciting and groundbreaking series.  We will announce the complete Tour Schedule and more details on December 4th. Until then, feel free to reach out to your Account Representative to get in on the “ground floor” of Progressive® IMS Outdoors.

To stay updated click here

Colorado Motorcycle Expo – Scott Schulz recently posted a survey to all of the Expo’s attendees and vendor updating them that as of right now, the 2021 Colorado Motorcycle Expo is a GO with certain changes to be in compliance with city, and county of Denver enforced by the Health Department.

The major changes will include:

  • The number of attendees inside the building at one time will be limited to 700. This will increase to 1000 if we use more space on the lower level and 3rd floor.  The good news is vendors and employees are not counted as attendees. Our plan is to stagger admission times with 2 hour blocks so the overall attendance is not significantly impacted. 
  • All food and beverage consumption will be confined to designated areas. This means people cannot walk around eating or drinking.
  • Facial coverings will be required at all times with the exception of designated food and beverage areas.
  • Isle sizes will increase and be designated for one way traffic only. Additionally, the spacing between vendors will be increased. Our plan is to spread the bike show out throughout the entire vendor areas in order to increase traffic throughout the expo and to fill the increased spaces between vendors.
  • Plexiglas barriers will be required for all vendors where financial transactions take place. You can provide your own or the facility will rent these to you.  
  • A quick temperature scan will be included with daily vendor check in/screening.
  • Proper social distancing will be expected and enforced with attendees.
  • Concerts and entertainment are not allowed at the facility. Our plan is to have after hour parties that are relocated off-site for 2021. 

Dayton Bike Week is scheduled for March 5-14, 2020.

Dubbed the “World’s Largest Motorcycle Event,” Daytona Bike Week is a 10-day event filled with high-octane street festivals, concerts, motorcycle races, bike shows, rallies, manufacturer showcases and much more. The event was established more than seven decades ago and has grown into a crowd of over 500,000 motorcyclists who make it an annual pilgrimage. 

A cold start on Main Street for the first day of Daytona Beach Bike Week 2015. FL, USA. Saturday, March 7, 2015. Photography ©2015 Michael Lichter.

Whether you’re seeking custom bikes or just great camaraderie, Daytona Beach delivers an all-out experience in a legendary beach destination. While you’re here, check out all the amazing arts and culture opportunities, too!

Visit OfficialBikeWeek.com for more event information.

Arizona Bike Weeks started this week…What changes will riders see?

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Arizona Bike Week is a time honored tradition for many riders in our region. Normally held in March at a time where Colorado riders long to get away from the cold and ride with no jacket or heated gear. Held in Scottsdale, Arizona, riders can check out a minor league baseball game, balloon races and amazing sunsets while listening to great music.

ABW was rescheduled to October 7th thru 11th after receiving a special permit from the City of Scottsdale with the understanding that they would have to adhere to local and national guidelines. This had to be quite the negotiation as most of the Phoenix valley’s music venues and festival remain in limbo.

So what will riders see different when they arrive at Arizona Bike Week? Most the guidelines that were put into place is very similar to what riders saw at Sturgis with the exception of the mandatory mask wearing.

Masks – The event’s website states that everyone is required to wear a mask at all times while inside the gates. They can be removed while sitting at a table.

Concerts – The RockYard will feature a series of sections separated by security barriers and at least 6 feet of distance. Groups of up to nine people will be allowed in each and a high-top table will be available

Vendors – The event will not be missing a beat with the number of vendors and it appears that most if not all that have attended in the past have come back to support ABW and to try and survive. Our small biker owned businesses have really struggled during COVID with all the events cancelled in 2020.

We wish ABW a successful event and if you attended, please leave your comments below.

Camping at Arizona Bike Week surrounded by the majestic mountains
Bandanas by Michelle

100 Motorcycle Fatalities in Colorado

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CDOT posted an article on the 18th of this month giving some year-to-date totals and the one that popped out to me was that our community has lost 100 motorcycle riders and is on track to surpass last year’s number of 103 fatalities.

Laurie Montoya, Publisher

As many of you know I am also the President and Founder of BikerDown Foundation and help injured motorcycle riders after an accident and/or fatality.  I decided this month to take this forum on CRN to try again to ask this motorcycle community to put in place some offensive measures, so that in the event of a motorcycle accident or fatality, you have the services you need to recover.

For years, CRN and BikerDown have put into this publication articles about increasing your motorcycle insurance to include at least 250k under or un-insured motorist coverage.   This coverage is absolutely the MOST IMPORTANT item you can have on your bike when you ride. 

Due to COVID-19, loss of work or just being down right irresponsible, at least 50% of all drivers out there are now driving without vehicle insurance.  So when (and I mean when) that driver hits you, if YOU do not have under or un-insured motorist coverage, you are literally screwed.  This will leave all the medical costs, and out-of-pocket recovery expenses UP TO YOU! 

If you have full coverage on your bike, please understand THAT ONLY COVER YOUR BIKE (maybe).  Full coverage does not mean your medical bills will be covered; it does not mean that your lost wages will be covered.  It means that you might get enough from the insurance company to fix or pay off your loan on your bike.

As the Biker Advocate for BikerDown who calls these riders or family members daily to see how BD can help them, one of the questions I routinely ask is what type of insurance did the driver have? And this week alone 3 injured riders family member told me that the driver had NO LICENSE and NO INSURANCE.

This publication has attempted since the inception to gently nudge riders thru advertising and articles to educate and give you the resources to make changes to your personal bike coverages, but I feel WE are LOSING the battle out in this biker community.  IT IS NOW TIME, TO BEG YOU and HOUND YOU to call your insurance company today and add at least $250k under or un-insured motorist.

There is still a lot of riding in 2020, and before you get on your bike in October, please MAKE A PLEDGE TODAY, to at least call your bike or vehicle insurance and CONFIRM, VERIFY and have them send you something that shows that you have under or un-insured motorist coverage.

If you do not want to do it for YOU, please do it for your FAMILY, your wife/husband, your children, your mother, or father and EVEN YOUR FRIENDS.  These are the people who will be the ones struggling to keep you going while you are recovering in the hospital.

Please forgive me this month for such an abrasive Letter from the Publisher, but we are in an epidemic of motorcycle injuries and fatalities and THE TIME IS NOW to at least have the coverages you need, so you can recover in peace.

As always enjoy the ride, let us know what we can do better and BE SAFE OUT THERE

~ Laurie Montoya, Publisher

info@coloradoridernews.com