New motorcycle safety initiative for Colorado mountain communities

From a press release issued by Drive Smart Evergreen/Conifer…

Motorcyclists are a frequent sight and sound in all seasons bringing local tourism dollars into the mountain communities west of Denver. Riders on cruisers, sport bikes, large scooters and dual sport motorcycles from surrounding counties and out of state, stage rides on crisp autumn days, warm winter days, and especially on summer evenings up to the mountains.  In the morning, sounds of up- and downshifting motorcycles can be heard along the open highways of I-70, Highway 74 and 285, and coming onto the twisty canyon roads leading up to the Evergreen and Conifer communities, for rides west. In the evening, having had their fill, riders head back home. 

In recent years motorcycle crashes, including fatalities, in western Jefferson County have increased. In 2008, 13 motorcycle fatalities occurred in Jefferson County. Six of those fatalities involved riders with a BAC ≥ 0.08%.  According to CDOT, in the years 2003-2007, 44% of riders and their passengers killed in Colorado were age 45 or older. 90 riders and passengers were killed in motorcycle crashes in Colorado in 2007, the highest ever recorded (that averages almost 8 deaths every month). We believe this is preventable.

With grant funding from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (“NHTSA”) the Colorado Department of Transportation (“CDOT”) has awarded funds to DRIVE SMART Evergreen/Conifer to establish a motorcycle safety coalition. DRIVE SMART has taken a proactive stance in partnership with the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department to reduce these unacceptable losses of motorcyclists riding in our community. DRIVE SMART is the first in Colorado to implement NHTSA’s new PROJECT GREEN-YELLOW-RED. Our focus is to reduce impaired motorcycle operation and to remind all riders to ride within the limits of their abilities.

DRIVE SMART is pleased to announce that an Evergreen resident with a passion for these issues has joined our mission. Deborah Napier, an attorney, licensed motorcyclist, and motorcycle safety advocate, was selected to jump start this new initiative.  Ms. Napier’s previous work includes legislative advocacy on behalf of the industry’s rider education and skills training programs supported by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (“MSF”) as well as the ATV Safety Institute (“ASI”) in Washington, D.C.  In her youth she was an accomplished racer competing in AMA sanctioned motocross racing, as well as a high school team.  She competed in her first desert race this year at the age of 49.  She has completed the MSF Experienced Rider Course and is a Master Tread Trainer with Tread Lightly!  In addition, Ms. Napier has given presentations to students at Grand Junction’s East Middle School and in Evergreen Middle School’s Outdoor Education class to encourage getting youth outdoors using multiple use trail etiquette, as well as using safe and responsible principles when recreating on our abundant public lands.

As Coordinator of the DRIVE SMART motorcycle safety coalition, in the first year of the NHTSA grant Ms. Napier will establish a working coalition in the Evergreen/Conifer area. This new coalition will include motorcycling enthusiasts, motorcycle dealerships, a Jefferson County public health official, a Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office representative from the Mountain Precinct as well as interested owners of restaurants and taverns frequented by motorcyclists in Evergreen and Conifer.  Ms. Napier and DRIVE SMART’s outreach to the motorcycling community has already started with the October meeting of ABATE’s District 16 organization in Conifer.