Dear Editor,

We have all seen it while driving Highway 119: a group of young men on sport bikes weaving through traffic, plastic mohawks glued to their helmets, maybe a sidearm tucked into a waistband, and a girlfriend hanging on for dear life with her thong underwear showing. It is easy to watch that and think every motorcycle pass is reckless.

But that is not the whole picture.

What we do not always notice are the two buddies on Harleys boxed in between 4,000-pound vehicles, winding along the Peak to Peak Highway with little room and few good options. Sure, they might be carrying, and one of them might have his old lady on the back, but chances are she is not hanging on for dear life. And for better or worse, I have never seen a Harley rider’s old lady’s underwear.

This is where drivers have a choice: make the situation easier, or pull their Barney Fife hat and badge out of the glovebox.

When a motorcycle comes up behind a slower vehicle on Highway 119 or in the canyons, a little courtesy from the driver ahead can make the situation safer and less frustrating for everyone. On a straight section with good visibility, maybe give a little room to the right and let them pass.

Drivers do not need to act like traffic enforcement. If a motorcyclist makes an unsafe pass, let law enforcement handle it. Blocking, crowding, speeding up, or trying to teach someone a lesson only adds risk for everyone on the road.

This does not mean motorcycles should pass recklessly or that double yellow lines should be ignored. Passing on blind curves, hill crests, in heavy traffic, or anywhere with limited sight distance is unsafe and should remain a priority for enforcement. But a brief, controlled motorcycle pass on a clear straightaway is not the same thing as reckless driving.

Motorcycles are smaller and more maneuverable than passenger vehicles. On a clear straightaway, a motorcycle can often complete a pass quickly and without affecting the flow of traffic. A small amount of courtesy from the driver ahead can reduce frustration, reduce tailgating, and reduce the chance that someone makes a poor decision.

Colorado already recognizes that context matters on the road. Drivers may cross the center line to safely pass a pedestrian or bicyclist when the movement can be made safely and without interfering with oncoming traffic. That same common-sense approach should apply socially, even if not legally, when drivers and motorcyclists share mountain highways.

Law enforcement should continue to focus on dangerous behavior: impaired driving, excessive speed, aggressive driving, distracted driving, unsafe passing, and tailgating.

On Highway 119, a little awareness and courtesy would go a long way. When conditions are clear and safe, give a little room, and let faster traffic pass.

Sincerely,
Casey Saltness
Gilpin County