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Perspective

2021 National Motorcycle Profiling Survey

January 20, 2021 By Laurie Montoya Leave a Comment

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

Filed Under: Community, Magazine, Perspective

Change is Coming – Morning Stretch

January 13, 2021 By Laurie Montoya Leave a Comment

Stretch McClure is an avid rider and new writer for Colorado Rider News

Change is coming! Prepare you and your families and friends. Remember If you say you can or you can’t, you are right either way. Taking the decision-making process away from people disempowers them. It also makes them much less likely to buy into the decision, however right it may be. One’s own conscience remains the ultimate arbiter. Keep high aspirations, moderate expectations and small needs.

Be mindful of the link between action and outcome. Ask yourself: If I repeat today’s action 365 times, will I be where I want to be in a year? One of the Secrets in Life is to Make Stepping Stones out of Stumbling Blocks. Remember some people are Slinkies…they’re really good for nothing but they still bring a smile to your face when you push them down a flight of stairs.

In reality there are no limitations. They are vibrant and changeable to whatever form you want them to take to realize your goals. It is not enough if you just live life as it comes to you like a floating leaf in a pond. Make use of the powers bestowed in you and soar like an eagle.

What I am trying to say is people, are powerfully afraid of rejection. We do not survive well alone, so most as a species are especially vulnerable to thoughts that make us afraid the rest of the “tribe” will desert us to die a sad, lonely death. Your core, lying deep within you, is what makes you what you are. Some call it the soul, the Higher Self, the true self, the being and so on. The name is unimportant once you realize that you are more than your looks and outward appearance. You can’t hang around waiting for somebody else to pull your strings. Destiny’s what you make of it. You have to face whatever life throws at you. And if it throws more than you’d like, more than you think you can handle? Well then you just have to find the heroism within yourself and play out the hand you’ve been dealt. The universe never sets a challenge that can’t be met. You just need to believe in yourself in order to find the strength to face it. If you take any step, no matter how small it is, towards achieving your dreams then you will surely find the right path and reach the happiness and goals that lies in store for you.

Have a great Week!

Filed Under: Morning Stretch, Perspective

Morning Stretch

January 7, 2021 By Colorado Rider News Leave a Comment

Stretch is a new writer to CRN and avid rider

By Stretch McClure

I am thrilled to be a new contributor to Colorado Rider News magazine.  I have followed the growth of this publication for several years and am pleased to have my daily affirmations now posted in a larger forum.  So here we go!

We will open a new book in 2021. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called Opportunity and its first chapter is New Year’s Day! Each New Year, we have before us a brand-new book containing 365 blank pages. Let us fill them with all the forgotten things from last year—the words we forgot to say, the love we forgot to show, and the charity we forgot to offer.

I hope that in this year to come, you make mistakes. Because if you are making mistakes, then you are trying new things, learning, living, pushing yourself, changing yourself, changing your world. You are doing things you have never done before, and more importantly; you are Doing Something. So that is my wish for you, and all of us, and my wish for myself. Make New Mistakes. Make amazing mistakes. Make mistakes nobody is ever made before. Do not freeze, do not stop, do not worry that it is not good enough, or it is not perfect, whatever it is: art, or love, or work or family or life.

Whatever it is you fear doing, Do it. Make your mistakes, next year and forever. Have a SPECTACULAR 2021!

Filed Under: Magazine, Morning Stretch, Perspective, Writers

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

November 2, 2020 By Laurie Montoya Leave a Comment

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.

Filed Under: Community, Perspective

What’s Happening on Colorado Highways?

November 2, 2020 By Colorado Rider News Leave a Comment

By:  Don Enninga, ABATE of Colorado Northeast Regional Coordinator

Here’s what the Colorado Department of Transportation found out from their recent survey of Colorado Drivers.  There are several items on their survey but this article is focusing on issues that have a primary impact on motorcyclists.

New CDOT survey reveals risky roadway behaviors

Most Coloradans engage in distracted driving and violating posted speed limits

Results from a new statewide driver survey by the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) found that nearly all Colorado drivers engage in distracted driving. This is just one of problematic driving behaviors CDOT learned from 897 Coloradans in a survey administered between February and June 2020.

“Over 9 in 10 Coloradans admitted they drove distracted in the last week. Being present behind the wheel can be especially hard with all of the pressures people are under right now with the challenges we face with the COVID-19.  Unfortunately, distracted and impaired driving are contributing to a tragic pattern of increased roadway fatality rates in the past months.

Some  key findings  from the survey include:

Distracted Driving

  • In the seven days prior to the survey, 92% of respondents reported driving distracted. Of things people did most often, eating food and drinking beverages tops the list (32%) of distraction behaviors. Selecting entertainment on a handheld device (21%) and talking on a hands-free cell phone (18%) were the second and third most common distractions.

Impaired Driving

  • While 69% of respondents strongly disagreed that they could drive safely under the influence of alcohol, fewer people strongly disagreed that they could drive safely under the influence of cannabis (57%) or prescription medications excluding cannabis (50%).

Fatalities

In 2018, there were 632 traffic fatalities in Colorado. Nearly 25% of all fatalities involved an alcohol impaired driver.

Distracted driving was the contributing factor in 54 (8.5%) of the 2018 fatalities.

What can we do?

Distracted driving crashes have a devastating and quite often deadly result for motorcyclists when vehicle operators are not paying attention to the very serious task of controlling their vehicle.   This is a battle that the motorcycling community has been engaging in for several years by promoting awareness campaigns and working with legislators to come up with an acceptable distracted driving bill that will help protect vulnerable road users.  Unfortunately, each year a bill has been introduced, it has met with defeat.  The 2020 Colorado State legislative session was rudely interrupted by the China virus or the distracted driving bill that was put forward would have had a fairly good chance to make it through to become law.  This was one of the bills that got put aside once the legislature did get back to work.

There is discussion about bringing a similar bill up in the next Colorado legislative session.  I would hope that all motorcyclists would get engaged with their legislators should a distracted driving bill become a reality again.  I find it interesting, at the very least, that motorcyclists in Colorado seem to have a lot of trouble coming together on issues that affect us all.  There have been instances where several groups have been able to work on issues such as the distracted driving bills but there are many more groups that need to be engaged in these important discussions.  As we work to improve the lives of all who ride, take the time and energy to become involved, make your voice heard and let those who legislate know we are here and not going anywhere!  Until next time, have a great fall, ride safe and enjoy your life in this great state!

The full 2020 survey results are available on CDOT’s website at:

https://www.codot.gov/safety/safetydata/driver-surveys.

By Colorado Department of Transportation |

Filed Under: ASM, Magazine, Perspective, Safety

Colorado records its 100th Motorcycle Death for 2020

October 1, 2020 By coridernews Leave a Comment

2020 has been a difficult year, even for motorcyclists on Colorado roadways. With fatal motorcycle crashes up 12% over last year, a new partnership between the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) and Grease Monkey is addressing this concerning trend by reminding motorists to watch for motorcyclists.

“Since January Colorado has seen a startling increase in motorcyclist fatalities and the state is expected to exceed the number of fatalities from last year,” said Darrell Lingk, CDOT Director of the Office of Transportation Safety. “With the fall riding season approaching and many riders currently enjoying the warm weather, we are urging drivers to use caution and be aware of motorcyclists. Drivers, please remember to look twice and save a life.”

As a reminder to watch for motorcycles, Grease Monkey will be placing safety stickers on vehicles receiving oil changes at 64 Grease Monkey locations throughout Colorado. There will be 60,000 window stickers distributed over the next two months to all drivers getting their oil changed.

“Grease Monkey hopes getting this message out will help save a life,” said Wes Stephenson, president and chief operations officer for Grease Monkey. “As a motorcyclist myself, safety on Colorado’s roadways is everyone’s responsibility. Everyone needs to do their part to make the roads a safe place to drive and ride.”

With the launch of the new campaign also comes the debut of a CDOT vehicle wrapped with a safety message. The eye-catching visual depicts a motorcycle crash in which the motorcyclists is thrown from his bike.  The CDOT fleet car will be seen driving throughout the Denver metro area over the next two months.

CDOT reminds drivers to be more aware of motorcycles and suggest drivers:

Check your blind spots

Check blind spots.

Since motorcycles are much smaller than cars, it is easy for them to get lost in blind spots. Before making any lane changes, thoroughly check all blind spots and use traffic signals.

Look twice.

When making lane changes, turns, merging and other traffic changes, check twice to save a life. 

Use extra caution when turning left.

Motorcycles are smaller which makes it hard for drivers to determine their speed accurately. When making left turns, look carefully for motorcyclists as the eye is not trained to detect them, then take the time to more accurately gauge their speed before entering the intersection.

Never follow motorcyclists too closely.

Motorcycles and their riders can slow down quicker than cars. Giving riders more space than a car ensures that drivers have enough time to slow or stop.

50% of drivers say they have driven distracted

Eliminate distractions while driving.

Being mindful and aware of driving situations, changes on the roadways and other unexpected incidents increases the safety for drivers and motorcyclists.

“My son, Nick, was killed by a driver who made a left turn in front of my son on his bike,” said Debby Uberecken-Standard, who lost her son in 2014. “As a mother, driver and Colorado resident, please always look twice. Motorcyclists are not as protected as drivers and can be hard to spot. Look twice and save someone’s life.”

Facts and Statistics:

  • To date there have been 100 motorcycle fatalities in 2020. This is up 12% from 89 at the same time last year.
  • In 2019 there was a total of 103 motorcycle fatalities.
  • Motorcyclists make up 23% of all deaths on Colorado roadways yet represent just 3% of the vehicles.
  • Of the 100 motorcyclist deaths in 2020, the following counties are noteworthy:    
  • The top three counties with the most motorcycle deaths are El Paso (17 fatalities), Adams (nine fatalities), and Jefferson (nine fatalities).
  • Northern Colorado – Larimer and Weld Counties have both had seven fatalities each.
  • Southern Colorado – El Paso has had 17 fatalities and Pueblo has had seven fatalities.
  • Western Slope – Mesa County has had six fatalities. Delta, Garfield, Gunnison, Montrose and Rio Blanco have each had one fatality.   

In addition to the window decals and CDOT fleet vehicle, Grease Monkey will also be placing motorcycle information in stores across the state while CDOT will be posting on social channels and running radio ads across Colorado to spread the message.

CDOT motorcycle safety efforts are part of CDOT’s Whole System – Whole Safety campaign which aims to reduce fatalities and injuries and “Bring everyone home safely.”

Filed Under: BikerDown, Breaking, Community, Magazine, Perspective, Safety Tagged With: 10/20, BikerDown Colorado, CDOT

Canadian Veteran Memorial Gardens

October 1, 2020 By Laurie Montoya Leave a Comment

The Canadian Motorcycle Tourism Association is the organization building a project with purpose in Grande Prairie Alberta Canada known as Veterans Memorial Gardens + Interpretive Centre. www.veteransmemorialgardens.com

On September 18th, 2020, our association and its project benefitted from a tree planting day spearheaded by Tree Canada and volunteer crew Pembina Pipeline.

We had ten Pembina employees take part in the planting, and we were joined by Brandt Tractor’s sales Manager Dave M who ran the skid steer and augers, Brandt employee Mark C, Kevin O from Wetaskiwin and Jason L and his dog Denver from McLennan and young Zach S – a 16 and a half year old volunteer and Susanna who brought us some raspberry canes and spent a lot of time on the watering hose.

The transformation of this sacred space in 8 hours was nothing short of amazing.

The edible trees and shrubs that were planted will be looked after by Greenblade Landscaping. They have agreed to mentor us and make sure that our trees get the best chance of survival possible!

It takes a community to see projects like Veterans Memorial Gardens & Interpretive Centre through to fruition, and we are grateful for a community that steps up when we need them!

About the Canadian Motorcycle Tourism Association:

VISION: To have motorcyclists recognized for their significant contributions to Canada as tourists, volunteers, and community leaders.

MISSION STATEMENT:

The Canadian Motorcycle Tourism Association believes that our heritage, history, and tourism are natural partners in growing better communities. Our relationships with partnering organizations allows us to contribute to the well being of our veterans, youth, and families in the communities we live and work in.

Belt Drive Betty is owner of Riderfriendly.com and a contributor to Colorado Rider News

Filed Under: Community, International, Magazine, Perspective Tagged With: 10/20, Ride Canada

Harley-Davidson riders featured in Momoa’s new 6-part video series called United We Will Ride

September 22, 2020 By Laurie Montoya Leave a Comment

We went through something together and we are adapting to the new normal. It’s gonna leave a mark, and it should leave a mark like all scars do. But this a cultural reset and we will move forward in a new way, together.”

Jason Momoa is a cultural icon in recent years with memorable characters such as Khal Drogo from Game of Thrones, Conan the Barbarian, and our superhero, the Aquaman.  He was even featured in this years Super Bowl commercial for Rocket Mortgage.  What most readers might not know is that celebrity icon’s heart pumps motor oil and stomach starves for speed. Momoa is an avid Harley-Davidson motorcycle rider.  He bleeds for motorcycles, and recently, Momoa has made it his mission to use his talents to share the best that motorcycle culture has to offer.

Randy Hayward “Detroit”

Momoa produced a six-part mini series called United We Will Ride highlighting real Harley-Davidson riders around the United States. While this video features Momoa’s gritty and captivating message for navigating COVID-19 and will focus on a range of riders and custom culture bike builders and their passion for motorcycling.  He traveled around the nation in a van with a small crew to meet in the intimacy of their homes while they shared their stories and passion for motorcycling.

What Momoa found while producing these films is that we are bonded by our love for riding! He has motorcycles from between around 1915 and 1932 and most recently restored his Harley-Davidson with sidecar which was featured in The Late Show video with James Corden.

Mamoa was featured on James Corden’s The Late Show in November of 2019

In writing this piece I did a little research on Google and was surprised that his passion was legit, this six-part mini series isn’t the only time Mamoa is on his Harley, he is truly a devoted rider.  Most recently, he was seen getting taco in the San Francisco Bay area and just meeting people on the street and being a regular guy!

We commend Jason Mamoa for his devotion to the Harley-Davidson bikes and motorcycle culture.  He is a fresh face of riders making a difference in this community and we look forward to watching the next series of films.  To view the first short film, click here

Video 1 – United We Will Ride

Video 2 – Randy’s Freedom for the Soul

Video 3 – Amy’s Freedom for the Soul

Video 4 – Damien’s Freedom for the Soul

Video 5 – Rowdy’s Freedom of the Soul

Video 6 – Nicola’s Freedom for the Soul

Filed Under: Breaking, Community, From the Publisher, Perspective

BANDIMERE SPEEDWAY HOSTS “Stop the CHAOS” Rally despite Colorado Health Event Regulations

September 2, 2020 By Colorado Rider News Leave a Comment

Thousands of Denver residents took Bandimere Speedway’s invitation to attend the “Stop the Chaos” on Tuesday night seriously and came out in droves by cars, motorcycles and by buses.  The event was an expression of “Our God given right to demand a stop to the COVID Chaos Governor Polis has inflicted upon all of us with his Executive Orders and Public Health orders.”

“We are beaten down, but we are not broken,” the family said in a news release. “The support we have received from those who understand civil rights has been remarkable and we will continue to fight on their behalf of all venues.”

Bandimere family

Bandimere violated a Court order over the 4th of July weekend and went ahead with their fireworks display.  Bandimere did not limit the attendance to their holiday event and had record attendance.

The Jefferson County Public Health took the racetrack to court to enforce social distancing requirements at the speedways events and the Judge issued a temporary restraining order limiting their crowd size to 175 people per activity and that fans from different families stay 6 feet apart, which has caused Bandimere to have to cancel many scheduled summer events including the Mile High Nationals one of its’ biggest races of the year for the 2nd time. 

The Bandimere family has said that limiting events to 175 people would put them out of business. They also believe that the governor’s orders are unconstitutional.  The public was invited down to the racing surface to stand in Unity and group photo.

Filed Under: Breaking, Business, Perspective

Morning Stretch: Thoughts & Inspirations

April 7, 2020 By Colorado Rider News Leave a Comment

By Stretch McClure

We are all going through some trying times.

I am so tired of the political blame. If you want to blame someone, blame ourselves. We got comfortable. You could blame hospitals etc. for not having enough PPE’s.

But you can’t! How could they know something like this was going to happen? You would have complained about the waste of money on having shit lay around in some warehouse rotting or some rodent chewing up the wiring. The same if any part of the Government spent trillions of dollars on something with “NO prior” need! We would have all bitched about it too.

I don’t know about you, but if the government is going to give back something I would like it, and many may need it!! Give everyone a break on blame and work together. Get the shit people need.

Help each other and share!!!! Only us! We the people can fix this. Damn it!  This is what I truly believe. “We got this.”

You know that sometimes life knocks you on your ass… get up, get up, get up!!! Survival is not the absence of problems, it’s the ability to deal with them and move forward. How would your life be different if… You stopped making negative judgmental assumptions about people you encounter? Let today be the day… You look for the good in everyone you meet and respect their journey.

The difference between a successful person and others is not a lack of strength, not a lack of knowledge, but rather a lack in will. Over the years, I have come to realize that the greatest trap in our life is not success, popularity, or power, but self-rejection.

Success, popularity, and power can indeed present a great temptation, but their perception often comes from the way they are part of the much larger temptation to self-rejection and failure. When we have come to believe in the voices that call us worthless and unlovable, then success, popularity, and power, are easily perceived as attractive solutions.

The real trap, however, is self-rejection or failure. As soon as someone criticizes me, or leaves. I find myself thinking, “Well, that proves once again that I am a nobody and I deserve to be pushed aside, forgotten, rejected, and abandoned”.

Self-rejection or failure is the greatest enemy of the spiritual life because it contradicts the sacred voice that calls us the “Beloved.” Being the Beloved constitutes the core truth of our existence. So, at the end of the day, let there be no excuses, no explanations, no regrets. These are trying times, no doubt, but it shall pass!

Stay safe and take care.

Filed Under: Magazine, Perspective Tagged With: 04/20, Morning Stretch, Stretch McClure

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