Boulder County sees four fatalities as state numbers rise
On Aug. 3, Owen Eldridge was riding his motorcycle down 30th Street in Boulder when he collided with an SUV and died. Nine days later, Brett Christiansen was riding in south Boulder when he was killed at an intersection.
While Eldridge and Christiansen’s deaths were the first fatal motorcycle crashes in Boulder in 2023, they came after a number of deadly crashes in Boulder County, including a July 3 crash near Nederland, a July 29 crash in Lefthand Canyon and a February crash in Longmont.
According to complied data from the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office, Colorado State Patrol, Longmont Public Safety and Boulder Police Department, there have been five total fatal motorcycle crashes in Boulder County since the start of 2023.
Statewide, fatal motorcycle crashes have steadily risen over the past 10 years.
The Colorado Department of Transportation reported that 2022 witnessed a record-high in traffic deaths, with motorcyclists making up 20% of the state’s traffic fatalities. Statewide, 149 motorcyclists died in a crash in 2022, almost double of those in 2012 when there were 70 fewer deaths.
After investigating 35 fatal motorcycle crashes statewide from Jan. 1 through July 31, Colorado State Patrol concluded that speed and lane violations were the most common factors.
In its research, CSP found that a majority of crashes so far this year have occurred in the Denver-metro area. However, northern Colorado, specifically Larimer and Weld counties, as well as across the western slope saw the most fatal crashes. CSP said more specifically crashes are occurring in mountain areas or heavy traffic areas.
Boulder police Traffic Unit Officer Chris Clark, who trains officers on riding motorcycles, said the city hasn’t seen a large increase in motorcycle fatalities but has seen a rise in traffic incidents.
Clark said a majority of motorcycle fatalities are a result of motorcyclists driving at excessive speeds, lacking training and not wearing appropriate safety gear.
“Helmets do help but you can pass the safety limits of what a helmet can do,” Clark said in reference to excessive speed.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 34% of all motorcycle riders involved in fatal crashes in 2020 were speeding, compared to 22% for passenger car drivers, 16% for light-truck drivers and 7% for large-truck drivers. Motorcycle riders 25 to 29 years old involved in fatal crashes had the highest speeding involvement at 45%.
CSP Chief Col. Matthew Packard said in a news release that motorcyclists need to drive as if their life depends on it.
“We know riders are more vulnerable, so it is up to you to prioritize your safety by not taking risks that can lead to a tragic death or life-changing injury,” Packard said. “Riders of all experience levels can and do crash.”
Clark added riders should try to “drive defensively.”
“Motorcyclists need to take on the idea of being defensive on driving, ready to apply brakes correctly, ready to avoid hazards as much as possible,” Clark said. “Yes, you should wear full riding gear and that includes the proper boots, the proper pants, the proper jackets that can give you as much protection as possible.”
CDOT said helmet use has been on a decline nationally in recent years and said Dot-compliant helmets are a simple and effective way to reduce the likelihood of injury or death in a crash. According to a CDOT news release, NHTSA data estimates that helmets saved 1,872 motorcyclists’ lives in 2017, and that 749 more lives could have been saved if all motorcyclists had worn their helmets.
Longmont police officer Sgt. Eric Lewis, a supervisor for the Longmont police Traffic Unit, said there are many contributing factors that lead to fatal crashes, but he agreed that wearing protective gear is one of the best ways for motorcyclists to reduce their chances of being killed.
“For the rider and passenger, I recommend they wear protective gear,” Lewis said. “Sometimes people wear flips-flops and shorts on a motorcycle and that’s never going to end well.”
An increase in crashes can also be attributed to recent warm weather and the specific window of time in which motorcyclists ride during the day, Clark said.
With surges of motorcyclists on the roads in warm weather, Clark said Colorado’s roadway infrastructure is not expansive enough to accommodate the rate of population growth, leading to more crowded roads with impatient drivers.
Boulder Traffic Unit Officer Alex Kicera, who trains officers with Clark, also warned that crashes are more likely for riders who don’t frequently practice safe driving and stay upto-date on their training and skills. Infrequent drivers can also lose focus and situational awareness when jumping back on a motorcycle, Kicera said, causing more crashes.
“I would recommend if you have an extra weekend take a little bit more advanced or intermediate riding course where they might get into some more techniques for how to safely maneuver or operate your motorcycle,” Kicera said.
Clark said motorcyclists need to learn to take care of their motorcycles as a lack of upkeep can lead to more technical failures and crashes.
CSP lists Motorcycle Operator Safety Training classes on its website with classes nearby in Dacono, Loveland, Greeley and Broomfield.