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Safety

Screaming Banshee Motorcycle Horns

October 31, 2019 By Colorado Rider News Leave a Comment

Rider safety makes an enormous leap forward with the impossible-to-ignore Screaming Banshee motorcycle horns.

[Read more…] about Screaming Banshee Motorcycle Horns

Filed Under: ADS, BikerDown, Business, Reviews, Safety Tagged With: horn, Screamin Banshee, Shockwave

Accident Scene Bystander Assistance Class

October 31, 2019 By Colorado Rider News Leave a Comment

By Chere Martin, Community Liaison for Rider Justice

There is absolutely no question that bikers are getting injured in Colorado at alarming rates. Certainly, distracted driving by car drivers on the road is one big reason for the disastrous statistics, but no matter the reason for the wreck, the result is the same: A biker is down and probably seriously injured.

[Read more…] about Accident Scene Bystander Assistance Class

Filed Under: Community, Magazine, Safety Tagged With: 11/19, ASM, ASMI, Rider Justice, Rider Safety

Motorcycles and Education: Don’t Ride One Without Taking the Other

October 2, 2019 By Colorado Rider News Leave a Comment

By Don Enninga, ASM Lead Instructor & Instructor Trainer

October offers a special, cost-saving opportunity for ASM classes!  Rider Justice is subsidizing both of the October courses making them incredibly affordable for riders by sponsoring up to 20 riders per course making their cost only $35 each, a $50 per course savings!

From: www.roadguardians.org: Accident Scene Management is the leading Motorcycle Trauma Training Organization in the world and the only accredited non-profit Bystander Program in the USA. The key to reducing injuries and fatalities to motorcyclists is education. Road Guardians encourages all motorcyclists to become lifelong learners, and to do all they can to avoid a crash from occurring. We go one-step further than many other safety programs – we connect motorcycle trauma first response as part of the solution.

Are You Prepared?

Will you be prepared to help another rider in a time of need? After a crash occurs there is a gap in time of 5-30 minutes before an ambulance arrives. Will you know how to help? 

Don Enninga, EMT & Motorcycle Rider says, “I believe motorcycles and education do go hand in hand! Without the education, someone crashes, and then you are left to wonder: How do I manage this motorcycle crash scene? How do I make the scene safe for me and others including the victim? How do I know if he/she is breathing?  Do I have the ability to stop serious bleeding?  These questions and many more can be answered as you prepare yourself to react when the unimaginable event of a motorcycle crash occurs.  How you might ask?”

Very good question!  The Accident Scene Management (ASM) course will provide you the answers you seek.  How do you take this valuable course?  In conjunction with Rider Justice, the Advocacy Arm of The O’Sullivan Law Firm and BikerDown Colorado who provides assistance to injured riders and their families, we are providing two upcoming courses for you and your many riding buddies to take! 

October Schedule 

Clear your calendar for classes coming up at the Hampton Inn Denver West in Golden, CO in October. On Saturday, October 26, 2019, a level 100 Series Basic Instructor Led Class called “A Crash Course for the Motorcyclist” will be offered. This is our most popular class. Learn what to do in the first 5-30 minutes after a crash until professional help arrives. Fully Instructor Led (IL) by a certified ASM instructor, this 7 hour class (8 with lunch) teaches helmet removal, jaw thrust rescue breathing, moving the injured, controlling bleeding and more. All skills are all taught and practiced.

The 300 Series Instructor Led (IL) “Advanced Bystander Assistance” course will be held on Sunday, October 27, 2019 at the same location. Learn to be a leader at a scene as well as how to assist the EMS when they arrive. Advanced Airway management, Common medical emergencies, assisting the EMS with Extrication, Femoral Traction, role play and more are taught in this 7 hour instructor led class (8 hours with a lunch break).  The pre-requisite to attend the Advanced Bystander Assistance course is completing a 100 series class or a Basic Refresher within two years.  

How much is a 7-8 hour day of quality motorcycle trauma instruction worth? Normally, these valuable courses are $85 per day to help you be more prepared in the event of an accident. A small investment when it comes to peace of mind as you prepare for the worst while hoping for the best when out riding.  

Save Money in October

October offers a special, cost-saving opportunity for ASM classes!  Rider Justice is subsidizing both of the October courses making them incredibly affordable for riders by sponsoring up to 20 riders per course making their cost only $35 each, a $50 per course savings! Additionally, Rider Justice is making a $10 per registrant donation to BikerDown. If you are a road captain or otherwise frequently ride with others, we encourage you to take full advantage of the Rider Justice sponsorship by taking both the Saturday and Sunday courses.

Great minds think alike!  Get all the great minds you know together and come take one or both of these courses. As your Lead instructor, I look forward to working with you to be prepared.

Please contact me at denninga@kci.net or 970-768-5599 or REGISTER NOW at: www.RiderJustice.com/events to make sure you have a spot reserved.  Registration is on a first come/first served basis.

Filed Under: ASM, Magazine, Safety Tagged With: 10/19, ASM, First Aid, Rider Justice, Road Guardians

Colorado Motorcyclists Can Now Proceed Through “Dead Red” Lights

July 29, 2019 By Scott O'Sullivan Leave a Comment

Scott O'Sullivan - The O'Sullivan Law Firm, motorcycle accident attorneys
Scott O’Sullivan

Motorcyclists who have faced the frustration of sitting at “dead red” lights in Colorado have reason to celebrate! The Colorado State Legislature has passed a bill allowing bikers to proceed through malfunctioning lights. The law takes effect on August 2, 2019. However, as with all laws, there are important details that bikers should be aware of in order to take advantage of this new law properly.

I spoke with Bruce Downs, State Coordinator for ABATE of Colorado, about this new law. Bruce has been an advocate and champion for new red light laws in Colorado and he has many insights about this new legislation.

Why Are Dead Red Laws Necessary?

Because today’s streets are so “smart,” sensors are now in charge of when traffic lights change. Today, there are two kinds of sensors that alert traffic lights when someone has stopped at an intersection. Unfortunately, they don’t always pick up light-weight vehicles.

How Do Traffic Lights Know to Change?

  • Over-the-Pavement Sensors: These sensors include motion-sensing cameras, lasers and infrared fields. Over-the-pavement sensors are designed to “see” vehicles that reach a certain point in the intersection and they are often very good at picking up small vehicles, like motorcycles, bicycles and scooters.
  • In-Pavement Sensors: These sensors are typically the culprit when it comes to dead red lights for motorcycles. In-pavement sensors usually rely on a vehicle’s weight or metal mass to trigger a scale or magnet. You can sometimes tell if an in-pavement sensor has been added to a road because the asphalt has been cut into a circle or square. Beneath that slab of asphalt lies the sensor.

Not only is it annoying for bikers to wait at dead red lights, according to Bruce, it can also be dangerous.

“As we pointed out in testimony, if you’re stuck at a left-hand turn lane and you finally go ahead and make the turn, you’ve made an illegal turn. The other option can be even worse. Sometimes, we have to take a right-hand turn, go down that road and make a U-turn where it’s legal, then go back the other way to cross the intersection. This exposes us to much more danger.”

Bruce says he is aware of many lights that literally never change when a motorcycle is waiting to make a left-hand turn because there’s no oncoming cross traffic. 

“A prime example is a light at Highway 83 and Douglas County Line Road,” says Bruce. “There is a light there, and if nobody comes to cross the traffic, it will stay green forever. There are no turn arrows, no crosswalk, nothing.”

New Law Allows CO Motorcyclists to Proceed Through Malfunctioning Light

Senate Bill 19-144, titled “Concerning Allowing a Driver of a Motorcycle to Proceed Past a Malfunctioning Traffic Control Signal,” was sponsored by Senator Rachel Zenzinger (D) and states:

“(1)(a)When a driver approaches an intersection and faces a traffic control signal that is inoperative, that remains on steady red or steady yellow during several time cycles, or that does not recognize a motorcycle that is operated by the driver, the provisions controlling entrance to a through street or highway from a stop sign or highway, as provided under section 42-4-703, apply until a police officer assumes control of traffic or until the traffic control signal resumes normal operation.

“(b)If a traffic control signal at a place other than an intersection ceases to operate or malfunctions as specified in subsection (1)(a) of this section, drivers may proceed past the signal only with caution, as if the signal were flashing yellow.”

In plain English, Bruce restates the law like this: “If a light doesn’t recognize a motorcycle, the driver may proceed as though it is a four-way stop or a blinking yellow.”

However, the law does not require that motorcyclists wait a specified period of time before making this decision, as Bruce had hoped. 

“We had requested a two-minute timeframe,” explains Bruce. “If the light didn’t change after two minutes, then the biker would have the legal right to proceed with caution. The new law doesn’t require a specific time limit. It’s just up to the biker to say, ‘The light didn’t recognize me.’”

Clearly, this law leaves a lot of room for interpretation by both motorcyclists and law enforcement, which Bruce was trying to avoid. 

Interpreting the New Colorado Dead Red Law

This new law allowing bikers to proceed through red lights could be abused by bikers. For example, a biker might ride up to a red light, wait 15 seconds, and make a left-hand turn. If he says, “It didn’t recognize me,” can he be ticketed for violating the law?

Bruce encourages bikers to follow the intention of the law and not to abuse it.

“I live near the intersection at Iliff and Havana and it’s a longer turn signal than I’d like but I know it works,” says Bruce. “I’ve only seen it malfunction twice in 18 years, but I know it works. I’m not going to abuse this new law and run that light just because I have to wait longer than I want.”

On the flip side, as Bruce makes clear, this law will make bikers safer.

“We can stop at a light and, if it does not recognize us, we do have a legal option to treat it as a four-way stop and go on our way,” he says. “This makes us safer because we don’t have to look for right turns on red or make dangerous U-turns. It’s little things like this that prevent frustration which leads to dangerous choices on a motorcycle.”

There are also concerns that law enforcement may not honor or properly enforce this new law. 

For example, if a motorcycle pulls up to a light and it doesn’t recognize him, he may proceed through the light. If law enforcement is coming from another direction and doesn’t see the malfunctioning signal, or if he sees a car recognized and believes the light is not malfunctioning, then the biker may get a ticket.

Time will tell how well this law works.

Turning Left Across a Dead Red Intersection

Because I have seen so many bikers hurt and killed when making left-hand turns, I strongly caution you to wait as long as possible before turning left across oncoming traffic when you’re sitting at a dead red light. If you get hit, it will be your fault because you shouldn’t have turned in the first place. (That’s why nearly every state with dead red laws requires motorcyclists to come to a complete stop and proceed only when it’s safe: the onus is on the motorcyclists to assure his or her own safety.)

As a Denver personal injury attorney, I am very curious to hear from bikers who receive tickets for proceeding through malfunctioning signals. I want to know if this new law is properly understood by both bikers and police. Call or text me if you receive a ticket for proceeding through a dead red light after August 2, 2019. (303-388-5304)

Filed Under: Legal, Magazine, Safety Tagged With: 08/19, Bruce Downs, dead red light, Scott O'Sullivan

Make BikerDown’s Roadside Membership Part of Your Road Trip Checklist for $35.00 per year!

July 29, 2019 By Colorado Rider News Leave a Comment

As riders begin to get ready for their summer road trips or that annual trip to Sturgis.  Please take a moment to think about do you have the right coverages on your bike in the event of a breakdown or accident?

There is nothing more frustrating than the anticipation of the ride of a lifetime, only to have that trip shattered with un-expected expenses such as an expensive motorcycle tow.  

How many of you have had to have your bike towed and cringed when your insurances’ roadside assistance brought the wrong type of tow truck.  Being out-of-state, riders deserve to know that when they need a tow, the right type of tow truck will come out and pick them up.

BikerDown’s roadside membership for $35.00 per year includes motorcycle towing in our membership that is now NATIONWIDE.  BikerDown has contracted with MTS, LLC to provide its BikerDown members a true Motorcycle Towing service.  

We ask all riders to sign-up today before you head out on your next trip join BikerDown for $35.00 per year.  This membership level will ensure that if you need towing, you are covered.

Please go to http://bikerdown.org/join-us/

Filed Under: Magazine, Non-Profit, Safety Tagged With: 08/19, BikerDown, road trip, Roadside Assistance

Make Roadside Membership Part of Your Sturgis Planning

July 2, 2019 By Colorado Rider News Leave a Comment

Heading to Sturgis or on a road trip?  Make BikerDown’s Roadside Membership part of your checklist for $35.00 per year!

As riders begin to get ready for their summer road trips or that annual trip to Sturgis.  Please take a moment to think about do you have the right coverages on your bike in the event of a breakdown or accident?

There is nothing more frustrating than the anticipation of the ride of a lifetime, only to have that trip shattered with un-expected expenses such as an expensive motorcycle tow. 

How many of you have had to have your bike towed and cringed when your insurances’ roadside assistance brought the wrong type of tow truck.  Being out-of-state, riders deserve to know that when they need a tow, the right type of tow truck will come out and pick them up.

BikerDown’s roadside membership for $35.00 per year includes motorcycle towing in our membership that is now NATIONWIDE.  BikerDown has contracted with MTS, LLC to provide its BikerDown members a true Motorcycle Towing service. 

We ask all riders to sign-up today before you head out on your next trip join BikerDown for $35.00 per year.  This membership level will ensure that if you need towing, you are covered.

Please go to http://bikerdown.org/join-us/

Filed Under: Non-Profit, Safety Tagged With: 07/19, membership, Sturgis, towing

Rider Justice Has Created a New Car Game to Raise Awareness of Bikers

June 5, 2019 By Scott O'Sullivan Leave a Comment

“I grew up playing Punch Buggy or Slug Bug, punching my sibling every time we spotted a VW bug,” says Scott O’Sullivan, founder of Rider Justice and owner of The O’Sullivan Law Firm. “I’ve always wanted to create a game for kids that raised awareness of motorcyclists and even bicyclists on the road.”

[Read more…] about Rider Justice Has Created a New Car Game to Raise Awareness of Bikers

Filed Under: Community, Magazine, Safety Tagged With: 06/19, BikerDown, O'Sullivan Law, PSA, Rider Justice, Rider Up!, Scott O'Sullivan

If Your Friend Goes Down, Could You Help?

May 2, 2019 By Scott O'Sullivan Leave a Comment

When I founded Rider Justice, I had many goals but, first and foremost, I want to make it safer for bikers to ride! We accomplish this through several efforts, including legislative advocacy (let’s end texting and driving!), and also by helping riders make sure they have the right motorcycle insurance (auto drivers don’t carry enough to cover the injuries they cause).

[Read more…] about If Your Friend Goes Down, Could You Help?

Filed Under: Magazine, Safety Tagged With: 05/19, ABATE, ASM, BikerDown, Don Enninga, Rider Justice, Scott O'Sullivan

Accident Scene Management Class

May 2, 2019 By Colorado Rider News Leave a Comment

Are you prepared in the event of a motorcycle accident?

By: Stormy

As a rider who has rode for many years, I have seen my share of friends having accidents. In April, I decided to attend an Accident Scene Management class hosted by BikerDown and Rider Justice, and Executive Director Laurie Montoya asked me to give a rider’s perspective of what I learned in the class. Boy did I learn a lot.

[Read more…] about Accident Scene Management Class

Filed Under: Events, Magazine, Safety Tagged With: 05/19, ABATE, BikerDown, Rider Justice, Road Guardians, Stormy

How to Build a Motorcycle First Aid Kit

April 3, 2019 By Scott O'Sullivan Leave a Comment

Scott O’Sullivan

Everyone who rides a motorcycle on our roads should be prepared with some basic supplies in case they ever become injured or stranded. But, while it’s easy to pack a bunch of first aid supplies and emergency gear into a car, bikers have to downsize a lot, which is hard!

[Read more…] about How to Build a Motorcycle First Aid Kit

Filed Under: Magazine, Safety Tagged With: 04/19, BikerDown, Rider Safety, Road Guardians, Scott O'Sullivan, Trauma Kit

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