Passes & Canyons Blog

Screen shot of the ASM site.

People do crash; it happens. Then what do you do?

When someone is hurt or in danger, seconds can count. Do you suppose that if you’ve had some training in what to do that you could help minimize the harm? That’s what Accident Scene Management Training is all about.

A group called Road Guardians has put together a training course and locally Rider Justice is paying to reduce the cost to anyone wishing to get trained. The course is normally $99 but you pay only $40. The next session is February 26. I’ve signed up and will be attending.

It says on the website that “Accident Scene Management (ASM), was established in 1996, to reduce injuries and fatalities to motorcyclists through first response education. Since its humble beginnings, ASM has become the largest motorcycle trauma training organization in the world! We teach both bystanders and professional rescuers what to do when a motorcycle crash occurs to improve outcomes.”

Also:

This intense course will teach you:
• Safety Factors
• How to Secure a Crash Scene
• How & When to Move Someone
• Effectively Accessing the situation and Mechanisms of Injury
• Contacting and Assisting EMS Responders
• Common Injuries Associated with Motorcycle Trauma
• Helmet Removal & Jaw Thrust Rescue Breathing
• Assessment & Treatment Techniques
• Preservation of Evidence at a Crash Scene

The Rider Justice subsidy is only available for 14 people for this session. I have no idea how many spots are still open, but if you’re interested you ought to sign up right away. See you there, perhaps.

Biker Quote for Today

You know you’re a biker when you try to throw your leg over your car seat.

Bikes coming down Pikes Peak.

I’ve gotten a couple legislative updates recently from Stump, ABATE of Colorado’s legislative liaison. He says it is possible that there may be movement this year on lane-splitting and also on the long-delayed distracted driving bill.

Forbidding the use of cell phones, except in hands-off mode, is an idea that has gained in support over the years, and it looked like the time was at hand just before Covid hit and the work of the Colorado Legislature got pared back to the bare essentials. Two years ago the Senate Transportation and Energy committee moved the bill ahead unanimously but then things went haywire.

According to Stump, General Motors has now decided to put its weight behind such measures:

Lastly, I received the following from Susan Dane, the person spearheading the distracted driving bill the past few years:

It appears General Motors is interested in supporting distracted driving legislation in Colorado. I’ve learned that they have provided support in other states related to this type of legislation. I’m working to set up an initial conversation with their people to see what this may look like. Don’t know where this may go, but it’s hopeful to hear that a major player like GM could get involved. I’ll let you know how things go.

She couldn’t get a sponsor for a bill last year but it looks like something might happen this year.

So we’ll see what comes of this.

As for lane-splitting, here is Stump’s bullet-point list of the status:

Hooked up with professional lobbyist – Sundari Kraft with Ascent Strategies LLC. Signed contract (required by law) for help PRO BONO!
Advantages: good connections with Legislators; more knowledgeable about bill process; great advocate but still considers ABATE to be subject matter expert.
Might “piggyback” on highway safety bills being submitted by Reps. Garnett or Larson.
Met with her to give basic “parameters” about a possible bill and ABATE’s concerns. Gave my personal guidelines (Similar to Oregon’s proposal, which I think has a chance of passing):
Permitted on multi-laned highways with speed limit of 55 or higher
Traffic stopped or moving in the same direction at 10 mph or less
Travel up to 10 mph faster than traffic
NOTE: I don’t think lane filtering would have a chance of passing and these parameters might work, which would allow motorcyclists to lane-split on the interstates when it’s 100 degrees out and traffic is backed up. But remember, it’s not mandatory.

As for creating a separate definition and category for autocycles, Stump noted that the bill is scheduled for committee hearing on February 1.

The big news is that bills are being scheduled in committees and HB22-1043 (Motorcycle and Autocycle Definitions) is scheduled for Tuesday, 2/1 at 1:30 pm, in LSB-A. That’s the building across 14th street from the Capitol (SE corner of 14th & Sherman). If you haven’t emailed the 12 members of the H-T&LG Committee yet, please do so in the next week. Here’s the list of members for your convenience:

Tony Exum Sr. (Chair) — tony.exum.house@state.co.us
Matt Gray (Vice-chair) — matt@matthewgray.us
Andrew Boesenecker — andrew.boesenecker.house@state.co.us
Marc Catlin — marc.catlin.house@state.co.us
Meg Froelich — meg.froelich.house@state.co.us
Edie Hooton — edie.hooton.house@state.co.us
Andres Pico — andres.pico.house@state.co.us
Janice Rich — janice.rich.house@state.co.us
Tom Sullivan — tom.sullivan.house@state.co.us
Donald Valdez — donald.valdez.house@state.co.us
Tonya Van Berber — Tonya.Van.Beber.house@state.co.us
Kevin Van Winkle — kevin.vanwinkle.house@state.co.us

It’s really important that you contact them, so they know this is important to Colorado motorcyclists and we’re really concerned that autocycles have their own category for the purpose of maintaining accurate accident and fatality data. Thanking you in advance.

That’s it for now. Updates to come.

Biker Quote for Today

You might be a Yuppie biker if you drink cappuccino instead of beer.

A V-Strom on a gravel road.

My 1999 Kawasaki Concours is a far better bike than my 1980 Honda CB750 Custom. So why is it that it has always been very clear in my mind that it is just more fun to ride the Honda? I think I figured it out awhile ago: Weight.

It just make sense. I’ve ridden scooters a number of times and the one thing I keep saying about them is that scooters are fun! And of course, scooters are light. When you’re riding a scooter – at least a small one; there are some big scooters – you’re not concerned about tipping over. There is zero chance when you come to a stop that you’re going to drop the thing. It’s too light. That leaves you free to just go zipping around and enjoy the ride.

It’s a very different matter when you’re on a heavy motorcycle. My CB weighs around 580 pounds wet. At 580 pounds, the CB is nowadays a mid-sized bike, though when it was new it was considered a big bike. It also sits reasonably low, so all that weight is easy to manage – usually.

My Connie, on the other hand, weighs 675 pounds wet and the 7.5-gallon gas tank sits way up high, making it pretty top-heavy. Especially when it was new, you’d better believe I put a lot of my focus on just keeping it up whenever I was stopping or standing. I’ve had the bike for 22 years now, so I’ve gotten used to it but I still don’t take it for granted. I’ve dropped it a couple times and I know that if it leans a little too far there is nothing in the world I can do to stop it from going all the way over.

Then one summer I had the chance to ride a Harley-Davidson Electra Glide Classic for two days. This bike weighs about 860 pounds. Talk about struggling to keep that thing up at times! On the highway it was a great motorcycle but I hated it in city traffic, and the weight was the biggest part of what made that so unpleasant.

More recently, although we’re talking about eight years ago, I bought a Suzuki V-Strom 650. This bike weighs 490 pounds wet. Compared to my Connie it feels so light and easy to handle that it’s just a kick. Which is to say: Fun!

So it hit me, way back whenever. The more weight, the more focus you have to put on the bike. The less weight, the more you can focus on the ride. And I’ve said many, many times, I’m not into motorcycles, I’m into riding motorcycles. I love it when all of sudden things make such sense.

Biker Quote for Today

What’s sexier than a curvy girl with tattoos and a cute face? A curvy girl with tattoos and a cute face who riders her own motorcycle.

The RMMRC is planning a very active year.

The RMMRC had an actual get-together in the flesh recently to map out some rides for the upcoming warm months. Anyone with an interest ought to consider coming along.

The RMMRC is now using the Meet-Up site as its home, and actually, as I write this, additional rides are being added.

First, and by the time you read this it will be in progress, is a Death Valley Rondevous. OK, so Mike, who set up this event, doesn’t know how to spell rendezvous; you get that in these days of media open to everyone. We’ll ignore it. This is actually a bit odd as a group ride in that the plan is for anyone interested to get out to Death Valley on their own and meet up there. Here’s how it is described:

Plan to meet at the Ranch at Death Valley – Inside the Park, whichever way you choose to get there. I am planning with several club members to ride 3 days there, leaving Saturday April 17. Will not make firm plans until the week prior, and will adjust the dates if it looks impossible to travel. Most likely will ride to Blanding and Kanab for overnight stays on back roads with as many twisties as possible. You are welcome to come along, and/or choose a different daily route, as you wish.

Undecided for return trip at this time. Probably south via Palm Springs, Joshua Tree National Park, South Rim Grand Canyon, and Pagosa Springs. Something like that. Again, weather determinant.

Flexibility, personal capability, and responsibility to take care of self and others is required. Ride at your own pace and discretion – always.

The next event on the agenda is a ride out to the St. Francis Vintage Motorcycle Museum in St. Francis, Kansas. This is a one-day, out and back ride. Looking at around 375 miles altogether.

Then comes a short day ride in the foothills, followed by a run out to High Plains Raceway for some motorcycle races. Then there will be an overnight ride out to Alliance, Nebraska, to Carhenge. If you’ve never been to Carhenge you need to go. This is a scale replica of Stonehenge, built out of old cars. The OFMC just chanced upon it many years ago when we stopped in the shade of some trees. Someone stepped back in the trees to take a leak and saw something bizarre over on the other side. We were totally blown away.

The whole scene has totally changed since then. The grove of trees is gone and it has been substantially commercialized, but it’s still a mind-blower.

So that’s just a few of the many rides coming up. The RMMRC made the decision a couple years ago to say let’s forget about all this club stuff with meetings and officers and all that. Let’s just ride. If that’s the kind of club you would find interesting you should come along on some of these.

Biker Quote for Today

You know you’re a biker when the only destinations are sunrise and sunset.

Checking out a Harley at the 2020 PIMS in Denver.

The Progressive International Motorcycle Show (PIMS) will be held in Denver this year, albeit moved to June and held outdoors. This is going to be vastly different from other PIMS events and it could be pretty much fun.

The show will actually kick off in Denver, June 18-20, before moving on to places like Chicago, Nashville, and Atlanta. Originally scheduled in Denver for January, adaptation to the Covid-19 problem led the organizers to move things outdoors. This meant waiting for warmer weather. So June here.

Being outside in warm weather is going to open up a lot of possibilities that were not really options inside during the winter. This will include demo rides on the street, off-road demo rides, and stunt shows or races. Of course you’ll have the booths selling stuff and as in at least the last few years there will also be e-bicycles and the PIMS Discover The Ride opportunity for people who have never ridden to experience what it’s like.

Here’s the blurb from their website:

After 5 years in the making, the Progressive® International Motorcycle Shows is venturing outdoors to create the most immersive powersports event yet ­– IMS Outdoors, a tour of events across the United States, launching in Summer 2021.

The Progressive® IMS Outdoors invites riders and prospective riders of all ages and abilities out for a weekend to engage with powersports culture and explore related lifestyles in a festival-like atmosphere. Attendees will be able to ride 2 and 4-wheel vehicles, shop premier brands, watch entertainment and even camp overnight (in select cities); preparing them for more riding and adventures with family and friends.

Popular IMS attractions including, the Ultimate Builder Custom Bike Show, IMS Vintage Garage, Discover The Ride and Adventure Out among others will be back for your enjoyment for the new IMS Outdoors events.

What they’re not telling us yet is where this will all happen. Last year was the first time the show came to Denver, at least in a long time, and it was held downtown at the convention center. That doesn’t seem to be the case this year, but where? We’ll see, and I’ll pass that info along as soon as I get it.

Biker Quote for Today

Once the love for a motorcycle is discovered there is no putting out the fire.

Lifting a bike that went down. Fortunately, no one was hurt in this slow-speed get-off.

I was reading the Spokesman, ABATE of Colorado’s bimonthly newsletter the other day and they had this piece provided to them by Scott O’Sullivan, who is involved with Rider Justice and the O’Sullivan Law Firm. I thought it was pretty good and worth passing along, so here it is. It’s a tiny bit self-serving in that it is a promotion for the O’Sullivan Law Firm and Rider Justice, but hey, no big deal. I’m not endorsing them; I don’t know anything about them. I just thought it was good information.

Top 5 Ways Insurance Companies Cheat You

When you’re injured in a motorcycle crash, it’s stressful enough dealing with the mounting medical bills and the long healing process. Even worse, all the red tape and hoops you have to jump through when dealing with insurance claims just adds insult to injury. But it’s important to make sure you receive all the money you’re entitled to. After years of responsibly paying your insurance premiums, you deserve to recoup every dollar from your coverage! However, I’m sorry to say that insurance companies are not on your side. Here are the Top 5 Ways Insurance Companies Cheat You.

After a Crash Asking for a Recorded Statement
Most everyone is familiar with the Miranda Warning that says, “Anything you say can be used against you in a court of law.” This is also true for recorded statements that an insurance company may request from you. Insurance adjusters will twist your words to make you look bad, thus making you ineligible for your claim. If an insurance company representative is asking you to make a recorded statement, hang up and call a motorcycle accident attorney immediately.

Pushing for a Quick Settlement
Dealing with insurance companies and legal battles can be an extremely stressful experience. But no matter how badly you want to wash your hands of the entire thing and just get it over with, you should never fall into the trap of accepting a quick settlement from your insurance company. Insurance companies use this tactic because it saves them a lot of time and money, and it almost always guarantees that motorcycle accident victims accept a much smaller amount before fully understanding how much their claim is really worth.

Asking for a Signed Medical Release
If you’re in a motorcycle accident, an insurance adjuster may try to convince you that you absolutely have to sign medical release forms, giving them access to all of your medical records, both past and present. Why is this bad? I have seen insurance companies go far back into a victim’s health history and deny payment based on previous experiences that have nothing to do with the accident and the victim’s current condition.

Causing Confusion
When it comes to the average individual, insurance contracts are confusing. Insurance companies often rely on a victim’s confusion (and the many other issues they may be facing, such as medical concerns) to push inadequate settlements or even to get victims to sign away their own rights! When filing a claim, sign NOTHING until you hire an attorney to go over the documents so you know your rights.

Refusing to Renew
Although you shouldn’t rush the process and settle right away, be sure not to waste too much time filing a claim if you decide that’s the route you want to take, especially if you’ve already contacted your insurance company with an inquiry. Many insurance companies will drop your coverage and refuse to renew a policy if they get a whiff that you may be considering a claim.

Do you have specific questions about Colorado state laws when it comes to dealing with insurance companies after a motorcycle accident? Call or text us at (303) 388-5304.

Biker Quote for Today

Look twice for motorcycles: someone’s whole world is on that bike.

Sadly, someone obviously did not ride this poor Harley safely.

“Have a safe ride.”

That’s an admonishment we’ve all heard countless times and my standard weak-joke response is along the lines of, “Oh darn, I wasn’t planning to, but I will if you insist.”

It’s not that we ever plan to have an unsafe ride, but then, that’s why they’re called “accidents.”

At least many people use that word, but among those serious about motorcycle safety, the preferred word is “crash.” The point being that a crash does not happen by accident, it is allowed to happen by riders who fail to remain alert and to engage in basic crash-avoidance practices.

Don’t get me wrong. Anyone who rides knows that the primary scenario for motorcycle crashes is when someone in a car pulls out in front of you or turns left in front of you. It’s their fault.

Or is it? Is it entirely their fault if you could have done something to prevent the crash? (Within reason: You could stay home and never go anywhere and that would prevent a crash, but that’s not reasonable.)

More importantly, does it matter that it’s primarily their fault if you’re the one with the concussion and broken bones? I have a friend, Jungle Fuhrman, who argues that without exception, if you are involved in a crash, you screwed up. I tend to agree with him.

When I was preparing to take RiderCoach training several years ago, the program put together by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) for training the people who train new riders, I rereading the Basic Rider Course (BRC) Rider Handbook, which is the study manual given to all the beginning rider students. (Which is to say, I had taken the BRC myself some time before that.)

The BRC focuses on both riding skills and the rider’s mindset. One key point they make is that crashes seldom have one specific cause; in fact, they usually have several. They call this the Crash Chain, and use an illustration of a motorcycle chain looping around two sprockets, connecting one sprocket (you) to the other (the crash). Each link is a factor that contributes to the crash. Break any one of those links and the crash is avoided.

So now that idiot talking on his cell phone is turning left in front of you. Is it foreordained that you will T-bone him? Are you traveling at an excessive speed? Were you day-dreaming as you approached the intersection? Were you not thinking about the fact that the setting sun is directly behind you, making it difficult for him to see? If you answer yes to all those questions then yes, you may indeed be irretrievably headed for a crash.

But you had it in your power to break that crash chain, and didn’t. He’ll get the ticket but you’re the one who will pay in pain.

Some highway safety agency used a catch-phrase years ago that has stuck with me and I think it bears repeating here: Safe driving is no accident. For motorcycling I’d go with that times 10. Have a safe ride.

Biker Quote for Today

Why motorcycles are better than women: You don’t have to deal with priests or blood-tests to register your motorcycle.

The Riders Share website.

Have you ever rented a motorcycle? It’s really great to go somewhere on vacation and get a bike to ride around but if you go through any of the major rental outfits you’re going to pay an arm and a leg. As I recall, the last time I rented a Harley from Eagle Rider it cost me above $150 per day. Ouch! That’s a lot of money if you’re looking at a week-long trip.

I’ve written about a couple different rental options, basically the sharing economy thing, as with AirBnB, such as Twisted Road. Well, I recently learned of another such outfit: Riders Share. I would have sworn I had written about them before but multiple searches of this blog turns up nothing, so maybe I haven’t. In that case, now is the time.

Looking at the Riders Share site, they list cities where they operate. For Denver they say they have 64+ bikes for rent. There’s quite a range. For $150 a day there is a 2004 Honda CB600F. There’s a 2018 BMW R Ninet Scrambler for $122 a day. There are a bunch of scooters for $38 to $40 a day. A 2015 Suzuki GSX-S750ZL5 for $72 a day. In Fort Lupton there is a Honda VT1100C2 Shadow Sabre for $52 a day. In Westminster there’s a Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R for $53 a day. In Lakewood there’s a 2004 Harley FLSTFI Fat Boy for $67 a day. You get the picture.

These are realistic prices that won’t break the bank. Plus, it works the other way. Riders Share does not own these bikes, they’re owned by people like you and me who have agreed to rent their bikes out to other folks. I’m not sure what the price split is between the website and the owner but if you’re interested I’m sure they’ll be happy to explain it all to you.

A few things about the website. On the home page they have a listing of cities where they operate and you can click on the city and be taken to those listings. Looking at what was offered I clicked to see more and found myself cycling through the same seven or eight bikes, not the 64+ they claimed for Denver. Looking around I found that if I used the map on the home page to zero in on the Denver area they have an interactive map that shows you every offering within that map area. That’s where you see all the other available bikes. If you’re interested in a particular price range or specific make they have filters for that.

Unfortunately, if I clicked to see one particular bike and then hit the Back button it took me all the way back to their headquarters in the Los Angeles area. Then I had to drag the map back to Denver to look at another. Again and again. I suspect that if you sign up as a user they have it set to you can always return to your specific area. Or something of that sort. Boy, if they don’t, they really need to. OK, digging around further I see they do have that option. You just have to plug in the city where you want to focus. Good.

So this looks like a good option. I know there have been plenty of times I’ve been somewhere away from home and wished I could go for a ride in the area. Now maybe that can happen.

Biker Quote for Today

100 Reasons not to date a motorcyclist: We rev our engines when going under bridges.