Weekend crashes spark motorcycle safety reminder

Two recent motorcycle crashes in Colorado Springs are serving as a reminder about the importance of safe driving habits.

On Saturday, two riders were racing at the intersection of Constitution and Union when one of the bikes hit a car. The rider was treated for minor injuries and was cited for DUI and driving with a revoked license.

Two hours later, a man lost control of his motorcycle and crashed through a fence near the intersection of Barnes and Austin Bluffs. State troopers say, he wasn’t wearing a helmet and is critical condition. The man apparently lost control on a material left over from the winter storms.

It’s called anti-skid, sand or gravel and it provides traction for drivers on slick surfaces.

But Colorado Springs Fire Department Captain Steven Oswald says, it didn’t help the motorcyclist who was seriously hurt.

“We had a motorcycle that possibly lost control being on those kinds of gravel roads, uneven roads and ended up losing control.”

Motorcycles can be particularly vulnerable to loose material on streets and roads.

It’s why Jeff Hall says he sold his bike two years ago, after a few scary close calls.

“We’d come to the intersections and the back tire slid on this gravel. So it was a thing where my wife said I finally had to get rid of the bike.”

Police and safety advocates issued an alert late last year, after learning that nearly half of the city’s fatal traffic accidents were to motorcycle riders. Authorities hope they won’t see that happen again this year.

Motorcycle safety trainer, Dennis Mellinger says there’s not much he can do about irresponsible riders, but safety classes do help in driving on loose material.

“The only way we can do that, is in an upright position and under a controlled speed. This is a problem, but most motorcyclists know about it and try to avoid it. Every now and then, we can’t.”

Safety is something authorities want all of us to keep in mind, especially until the streets are cleared from materials left behind from winter storms.