Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month

Second Regular Session Seventy-fifth General Assembly STATE OF COLORADO ENGROSSED SJR26-024 LLS NO. R26-1011.01 Faith Marcovecchio x4331 SENATE SPONSORSHIP Hinrichsen and Bright, Amabile, Baisley, Ball, Benavidez, Bridges, Carson, Catlin, Coleman, Cutter, Daugherty, Frizell, Gonzales J., Jodeh, Kipp, Kirkmeyer, Kolker, Lindstedt, Liston, Marchman, Mullica, Pelton B., Pelton R., Rich, Roberts, Rodriguez, Simpson, Snyder, Sullivan, Wallace, Weissman, Zamora Wilson HOUSE SPONSORSHIP Bradley, Senate Committees House Committees SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION 26-024 CONCERNING THE DESIGNATION OF MAY 2026 AS "MOTORCYCLE SAFETY AWARENESS MONTH".

WHEREAS, The month of May marks the traditional start of the motorcycle riding season; and WHEREAS, Motorcycles occupy a significant place in Colorado and American history, having made contributions to numerous military campaigns, law enforcement operations, and the culture of the American West; and WHEREAS, Over 8 million motorcycles are registered in the United States, with over 200,000 registered in Colorado, and they are used on public roads and highways, providing reliable day-to-day transportation and recreational opportunities; and Shading denotes HOUSE amendment. Double underlining denotes SENATE amendment.

Capital letters or bold & italic numbers indicate new material to be added to existing law. Dashes through the words or numbers indicate deletions from existing law.

SENATE Final Reading April 24, 2026 WHEREAS, Because of their light weight, fuel efficiency, and low impact on our highways, motorcycles should be encouraged as a viable transportation alternative; and WHEREAS, Motorcycles take up less space on our highways and parking areas, thus reducing traffic congestion; and WHEREAS, Motorcyclists are provided legal access to federally funded High Occupancy Vehicle lanes to increase traffic flow while giving motorcyclists a safer environment for travel; and WHEREAS, Riders and passengers of motorcycles face countless hazards and unforeseen circumstances on the road; and WHEREAS, 147 motorcyclists were killed on Colorado roadways last year; and WHEREAS, State and national "Share the Road" campaigns have been created to remind all motorists to be extra alert in order to increase motorcyclists' safety; and WHEREAS, Studies show that many motorcyclists involved in accidents did not have formal rider training; and WHEREAS, Many causes of motorcycle crashes may be attributed to lack of experience or failure to appreciate the unique operating characteristics and limitations of motorcycles, as well as the failure of other motorists to share the road with motorcyclists; and WHEREAS, The motorcycling community has made an ongoing commitment to increasing awareness of appropriate safety measures and increased participation in rider training programs; and WHEREAS, Many rider training programs are offered throughout Colorado, both for beginner and experienced riders, to prepare them to operate a motorcycle in the safest possible manner; and WHEREAS, Rider education, training, and motorcycle awareness are important steps in motorcycle accident prevention; now, therefore, Be It Resolved by the Senate of the Seventy-fifth General Assembly of the State of Colorado, the House of Representatives concurring herein:

Be It Further Resolved, That copies of this Joint Resolution be sent to ABATE of Colorado.

That we, the members of the Colorado General Assembly, recognize and designate May 2026 as "Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month" to promote safety for all motorcycle riders through education and training and to encourage all motorists to share the road in Colorado.