SENATE
                           Final Reading
                      April 29, 2016Second Regular Session
               Seventieth General Assembly
                    STATE OF COLORADO
                                                  ENGROSSED
                                                           
                                                           
 LLS NO. R16-1248.01 Vanessa Cleaver x4636        SJR16-038
                   SENATE SPONSORSHIP
 Tate and Todd, 
 
                    HOUSE SPONSORSHIP
 Ginal and Sias, 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Senate Committees
 House Committees
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                  SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION 16-038 
       Concerning the designation of May 2016 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 United
       States 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 180,000 registered in Colorado, and are used on
       public roads and highways, providing weekend recreation as well as
       reliable day-to-day transportation; and
       
            WHEREAS, Operators and occupants of motorcycles and
       automobiles alike face countless dangers and unforeseen circumstances
       on the road; and
       
            WHEREAS, State and national "share the road" campaigns have
       been created to remind drivers of all other vehicles and all road users to
       safely share the road with motorcyclists and to be extra alert in order to
       increase motorcyclists' safety; and
       
            WHEREAS, As of 2014, there were 4,295 motorcycle fatalities in
       the United States, accounting for 13% of all motor vehicle-related deaths
       that year; and
       
            WHEREAS, In Colorado, from 2012 to 2014, there were over 250
       motorcycle fatalities; and
       
            WHEREAS, Approximately 15% of motorcycle crashes that result
       in hospitalization in the state take place in nontraffic situations, such as
       in parking lots, driveways, on nonpublic roadways, or off-road; and 
       
            WHEREAS, Many causes of motorcycle crashes may be attributed
       to lack of experience or failure to appreciate the inherent operating
       characteristics and limitations of a motorcycle, as well as the failure of
       other highway users to "share the road" with motorcyclists; and
       
            WHEREAS, According to a study conducted by the University of
       Southern California, the Hurt Report, funded by the Department of
       Transportation's National Highway of Traffic Safety Administration,
       motorcycle riders involved in accidents were largely without formal
       training, with 92% being self-taught riders; and
       
            WHEREAS, In response to such dangers to motorists, the
       motorcycling community has made an ongoing commitment to increasing
       awareness of appropriate safety measures and participation in
       rider-training programs; and
       
            WHEREAS, The Motorcycle Safety Foundation, a national
       not-for-profit organization, developed the curriculum for the Motorcycle
       Operator Safety Training program, which is offered throughout Colorado,
       for both beginner and experienced riders to prepare them to ride a
       motorcycle in the safest possible manner; and
       
            WHEREAS, Rider education and training and motorcycle
       awareness are important steps in motorcycle accident prevention; now,
       therefore,
       
            Be It Resolved by the Senate of the Seventieth General Assembly
       of the State of Colorado, the House of Representatives concurring herein:
       
            That we, the members of the Colorado General Assembly,
       recognize and designate May 2016 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.
       
            Be It Further Resolved, That copies of this Joint Resolution be sent
       to Lieutenant Governor Joe Garcia; the American Motorcyclist
       Association; the Motorcycle Riders Foundation; ABATE of Colorado; the
       Gold Wing Road Riders Association, Colorado district; Thunder Roads
       Colorado magazine; Motorcycle Rider News; BMW Motorcycle Owners
       of America; the Harley Owners Group (H.O.G.); the Powersports Dealers
       Association of Colorado; and the Colorado Motorcycle Trail Riders
       Association.