No Transponders For Motorcycles In Colorado
By law, motorcycles are free to use HOV lanes at no charge.
This email I got a few days ago says it all:
Some good news. ABATE worked hard to get this issue resolved. Not that we should have had to, after all CDOT and E470 broke federal Law when they originally started to charge on these highways. But without ABATE being on guard it would have been allowed.
Effective this weekend (October 15, 2016) motorcycles will no longer be charged tolls — with or without a transponder — for using Hwy 36 and the I-25 central and north corridor HOV/HOT lanes.
Humans will be reviewing the system for 90 days to ensure the system is recognizing motorcycles. If you (or anyone you know) gets a Notice of Violation while traveling on these roads via motorcycle beginning October 15th, please notify Bruce immediately so that he can let the E470 authority know of any glitches and get the fee removed.
Just to recap, federal law states that motorcycles use HOV lanes for free at all times. When Colorado set up the new HOV/HOT lane system the set it up so that motorcycles could use the HOV for free but you would still need to get a transponder. And any motorcycle using the lane without a transponder would be sent a bill. So not free, contrary to federal law.
This is why I’m a member of ABATE. Sure, the group has done a few things in recent years that I wasn’t very happy about. I even considered dropping my membership. But a change in leadership has put the group pretty much back on a steady keel now so I continue to belong. This HOV matter is a perfect example of why we need a motorcycle rights organization operating in this state.
Biker Quote for Today
On a motorcycle, happiness isn’t just around the corner, happiness IS the corner.
