A Short Message from Colorado State Patrol

[J.Mencalice]

A short synopsis of Colorado motorcycle law if you plan to pass through this summer.

http://www.postindependent.com/news/local/on-the-road-motorcycle-cautions-as-the-weather-warms-up/

We have a beautiful state to ride in, but take heed of the potential for accidents and loss of life around Colorado.

607 accidents, 125 deaths in 2016.

Ride smart and safe, please.

[0leman]

Just curious what is a "Physical aptitude test"??

Do 4 wheel vehicles require this test in CO???

[Dave Ritsema]

Found it ironic that the link to the article regarding safe motorcycling was flanked on both sides by advertisement for marijuana. "Colorado Crafted Cannabis" I just don't get it. Won't get into that and derail this thread. LOL

[old2soon]

Found it ironic that the link to the article regarding safe motorcycling was flanked on both sides by advertisement for marijuana. "Colorado Crafted Cannabis" I just don't get it. Won't get into that and derail this thread. LOL

               Aw come on-ya just KNOW it don't take much to derail thread these days.  RIDE SAFE.

[Brewer]

Just curious what is a "Physical aptitude test"??

Do 4 wheel vehicles require this test in CO???

It is a diving or riding test and required for the initial license for a new car driver or motorcycle rider.
The MC test includes starting, stopping, turns in several radius, hard stop, over an obstacle, and probably stuff I am forgetting. Both are typically part of any private class.
 

[old2soon]

There is NO way in hades that I or anyone who rides a Valkyrie can pass the riding test here in Missouri the way the turns are setup. Now according to the nice ladies from the Highway Patrol that run the drivers license office the course is the size the state calls for. Been there after hours and I can not negotiate the turns inside the lane and keep my feet on the pegs. Going slow feet on the pegs NOT the problem. Making the turn Without crossing the line IS the problem. Guy I used to ride with has that Yamaha 4 cylinder cruiser-he just barely crosses the line but he crosses it. If/when I go fer a renewal I'll Need a smaller M/C. I have NOT looked up the size course that Missouri uses-but as laid out here in Willow Springs Mo.-no way Jose!  RIDE SAFE.

[Brewer]

In CO, we have no requirement to retest for written or riding at renewal, a vision test, pay and that is it.

[Jess from VA]

Wait..... you mean CO doesn't provide a bit of free mary jane before the motorcycle license ride?

Even for the EBT folks?

A couple big bong hits before the ride for both tester and tested would make things much more relaxed (and consistent with public policy).

   

[98valk]

There is NO way in hades that I or anyone who rides a Valkyrie can pass the riding test here in Missouri the way the turns are setup. Now according to the nice ladies from the Highway Patrol that run the drivers license office the course is the size the state calls for. Been there after hours and I can not negotiate the turns inside the lane and keep my feet on the pegs. Going slow feet on the pegs NOT the problem. Making the turn Without crossing the line IS the problem. Guy I used to ride with has that Yamaha 4 cylinder cruiser-he just barely crosses the line but he crosses it. If/when I go fer a renewal I'll Need a smaller M/C. I have NOT looked up the size course that Missouri uses-but as laid out here in Willow Springs Mo.-no way Jose!  RIDE SAFE.

similar here in NJ. still using the size course from the late '50s and early '60s.  only progress most states have is ways to steal peoples money.

[bill-jr]

"At least one headlamp, but no more then two" ?!?!?!

[Harryc]

Nothing in the article is dissimilar to laws in most other states. As far a MC deaths, I'd bet that number is low compared to many other states. Bottom line is...be safe out there.

[0leman]

I have lived in/Motorcycle Licensed in  AZ, MN, OR, WY, CA, and now back in OR.  I have never had a motorcycle driving test.  When I got my license in Az back in '69, they didn't have a driving course in the small town I lived in, so they took my word that I had been riding for 5 years.  Which may or no be correct.  the rest of the states saw my MC on license, told me to take the written test, all was good.  Hope OR does get a wild hair and require a driving test for relicensing.

Just curious what is a "Physical aptitude test"??

Do 4 wheel vehicles require this test in CO???

It is a diving or riding test and required for the initial license for a new car driver or motorcycle rider.
The MC test includes starting, stopping, turns in several radius, hard stop, over an obstacle, and probably stuff I am forgetting. Both are typically part of any private class.
 

Since the "Physical aptitude test" was separated from the driving test, was just wondering what it was.   

[Gryphon]

When I took the driving portion of the test in Oklahoma, they gave you a wireless headset and then the Officer followed you in his car through a portion of the town and gave directions for turns and such.  You took the test on city streets while in traffic. 

[Brewer]

I have lived in/Motorcycle Licensed in  AZ, MN, OR, WY, CA, and now back in OR.  I have never had a motorcycle driving test.  When I got my license in Az back in '69, they didn't have a driving course in the small town I lived in, so they took my word that I had been riding for 5 years.  Which may or no be correct.  the rest of the states saw my MC on license, told me to take the written test, all was good.  Hope OR does get a wild hair and require a driving test for relicensing.

Just curious what is a "Physical aptitude test"??

Do 4 wheel vehicles require this test in CO???

It is a diving or riding test and required for the initial license for a new car driver or motorcycle rider.
The MC test includes starting, stopping, turns in several radius, hard stop, over an obstacle, and probably stuff I am forgetting. Both are typically part of any private class.
 

Since the "Physical aptitude test" was separated from the driving test, was just wondering what it was.   

It could have changed between when I took it and now.

[gregk]

Just picked up a friend at the airport in Minneapolis yesterday that came from a friends funeral in Colorado Springs. Think it was. 88 year old guy that made a left in front of him an in the process I think he got hit from behind. No helmet would of saved him.      I think there was a lot of bike accidents around Colorado Springs an Denver last year, not sure.
Not to take away from this post , only to note that last year in Wi. we had a listed accident death that they finally removed it because their was no accident, the guy had a heart attach tipped over and died while stopped at a sign or light.

[J.Mencalice]

An additional note for those traveling through Colorado this summer:

The State Patrol is vigorously enforcing a standing law requiring all motorists to safely move one lane over on Colorado roadways when their patrol cars (and all fire, rescue, tow trucks, medical, etc.) are stopped to assist/enforce with the public.

There were two CSP officers killed in the line of duty over the past couple of years due to being struck when they were performing their duties on the side of the road.

They are really pissed off and got the laws changed so that the penalties are pretty stiff for failure to give them additional room when doing their job.  Minimum fine $170.
Two and three car traps are set up to snare the snoozers/boozers/and schmoozers who cruise by blissfully ignorant that they are about to be lit up.

So, give a look for the emergency lights and avoid that extra expense on your trip.

https://mcdivittlaw.com/move-over-traffic-laws-colorado/

Enjoy.

[RDKLL]

I have lived in/Motorcycle Licensed in  AZ, MN, OR, WY, CA, and now back in OR.  I have never had a motorcycle driving test.  
 

 I got my first motorcycle endorsement in NC in 1981, and there was a riding portion...cones and what not...only time ever had to show mad biker skillz
 
 

[MarkT]

Pretty sure the author of that article is just parroting what he thinks is the law as pertains to lighting.  I question if he even verified it. I've noticed that most LEO's have a pretty good understanding of the laws but many if not most don't know some finer details - though they can access them I'm sure. I did examine the equipment requirements carefully some time ago when I wanted to be sure I was legal with my colored LED displays and there was no such limitation on the headlights.  Though I didn't look for that again just now so it could have changed.  Then he talks about being visible (but only 2 headlights).  Huh?  IMHO, the more lights the better on the front of the bike, within reason.  So I'm guessing it depends on what's a headlight.  Spots are legal in addition to the headlight.  So are fog lights.  And marker lights.  On Jade, I have the main headlight (though it's brighter than std - don't think they have a quantifiable metric in the law, like lumens or watts), 2 "spots"  (which actually have H4 bulbs in them), 2 LED running lights (small, not particularly brilliant), and 2 marker lights (the OEM ones though they have LED arrays in them).  If anyone wants to dig in the current laws and point out I'm wrong, go for it - like to know, not ambitious to do that myself at the moment.  I have never been stopped and told I have too many or too bright lights.  Though all of them are switched if they needed to be for that LEO.

[J.Mencalice]

And another note:

http://www.denverpost.com/2017/05/09/motorcycle-deaths-colorado-roads/

Watch out for the other *&%^.

[Pappy!]

Motorcycle deaths by state......

http://www.ghsa.org/sites/default/files/2016-12/motorcycles_2015.pdf