Colorado Riders Are Facing A Dangerous Start To The 2026 Motorcycle Season
May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, and in Colorado, the timing could not be more important. Riders across the state are already facing a dangerous start to the year as motorcycle fatalities continue climbing at an alarming pace.
According to a recent CPR News report discussing Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) data, 15 motorcyclists were killed on Colorado roads between January and March alone, tying the deadliest start to a year for riders since 2017. Officials believe warmer winter and spring weather contributed to more motorcycles being on the road earlier in the year, increasing exposure to serious crashes.
For riders in Colorado Springs and throughout the state, the risks are impossible to ignore. Motorcycle crashes continue happening for many of the same preventable reasons: speeding, distracted driving, unsafe lane changes, impaired driving, and drivers simply failing to notice riders in traffic until it is too late.
More Riders On The Road Means Greater Exposure To Risk
Colorado’s mild winter and early warm weather created conditions that encouraged more riders to get on the road months earlier than usual. While that may sound harmless, increased motorcycle traffic often leads to a greater number of serious crashes, especially when other drivers are not expecting to see motorcycles in traffic.
Many drivers spend the colder months primarily watching for passenger vehicles, SUVs, and trucks. When motorcycles suddenly become more common in spring traffic, drivers may fail to properly judge their speed, distance, or position on the roadway.
That split-second failure can create devastating consequences for riders who have little physical protection during a collision.
Speeding Continues To Be A Major Cause Of Fatal Motorcycle Crashes
CDOT officials identified speed as the leading contributing factor in Colorado motorcycle fatalities.
Speeding creates dangers for everyone on the road, but the consequences are often far worse for motorcycle riders. Higher speeds increase the severity of injuries during impact. Unlike occupants inside passenger vehicles, riders do not have airbags, seat belts, or the structural protection of a vehicle surrounding them.
Excessive speed can make it nearly impossible for a rider to avoid catastrophic injuries. Common speeding-related motorcycle crash scenarios include:
- Losing control while navigating curves or turns
- Rear-end crashes in congested traffic
- Riders being thrown from motorcycles during impact
- High-speed intersection collisions
- Crashes involving sudden lane changes by other drivers
- Fixed-object crashes involving guardrails, poles, or barriers
As summer traffic increases across Colorado highways and mountain roads, speeding continues to create deadly conditions for riders.
Drivers Still Fail To Notice Motorcycles In Traffic
One of the most frustrating realities for injured riders is how often crashes happen because drivers claim they “never saw the motorcycle.”
Motorcycles occupy a much smaller visual profile than passenger vehicles. Drivers who make quick decisions at intersections or during lane changes may overlook approaching riders entirely. These crashes commonly happen when drivers:
- Turn left in front of an oncoming motorcycle
- Merge into a rider’s lane without checking blind spots
- Follow motorcycles too closely
- Change lanes aggressively in traffic
- Misjudge how quickly a motorcycle is approaching
Intersections remain especially dangerous because drivers often focus on finding gaps between larger vehicles while failing to register smaller motorcycles entering the area. A rider may have the legal right-of-way and still have no time to avoid impact once a driver pulls directly into their path.
Understanding Colorado’s Lane Filtering Law
In 2024, Colorado legalized lane filtering in limited situations. Riders may legally move between completely stopped vehicles under certain conditions, such as at red lights or stopped traffic, as long as they do not exceed 15 mph and have enough space to safely pass.
However, lane splitting, which involves riding between moving vehicles, remains illegal in Colorado.
Unfortunately, many drivers remain unfamiliar with the distinction between lane filtering and lane splitting. That confusion can create dangerous reactions from drivers who suddenly see a motorcycle moving between lanes in stopped traffic.
Summer Often Brings The Deadliest Months For Riders
Motorcycle crash risks typically increase during the summer months when more riders travel Colorado roads for commuting, recreation, tourism, and long-distance trips.
CDOT officials continue using Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month to remind both riders and drivers that preventing these crashes requires everyone to make safer decisions behind the wheel.
Important motorcycle safety reminders for drivers include:
- Obey posted speed limits
- Avoid distracted driving
- Never drive or ride impaired
- Yield to motorcycles at intersections
- Check blind spots before changing lanes
- Wear visible protective gear and DOT-compliant helmets
Many motorcycle crashes are preventable when drivers stay attentive and give riders the space and respect they deserve on the road.
We Take Action When Drivers Ignore Riders
A serious motorcycle crash can change every part of your life in an instant. Medical bills, lost income, physical pain, and uncertainty about the future can quickly become overwhelming, especially when another driver’s negligence caused the collision.
At The Longo Firm, LLC, we understand what injured riders and their families are going through. Attorney Stephen Longo believes injury victims deserve more than quick settlements and insurance company excuses. You deserve someone willing to fight for justice and pursue the full compensation you need to move forward.
Contact A Colorado Springs Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
If you or someone you love was injured in a Colorado motorcycle accident, contact us today for a free consultation. Your fight for justice has just begun, and we are ready to stand beside you every step of the way.
We handle motorcycle accident cases on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you.
"Stephen Longo is amazing! He will go above and beyond, making you feel like you matter! He is professional and knowledgeable. I appreciate all he did for me and my case. Thanks for everything!!!!" - Noelle M., ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐