By Robert Johnson

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, motorcycle deaths nationally run about 5,000 a year and make up about 14 percent of all traffic deaths.

Halfway through 2019, the Colorado Department of Transportation reported motorcycle-related deaths were up 32 percent. A number of these are single-vehicle crashes attributable to rider inexperience, but most seem to involve other vehicles.

I have close to 50 years of riding experience, and I put 12,000 to 15,000 miles per year, combined, on my two Honda VTX1800Cs. I ride Monday thru Friday from Thornton to the Denver Tech Center, a round trip of 54 miles, and all but 10 of those miles are through the heart of Denver on I-25.

I’ve had plenty of close calls. I spend more time watching my mirrors and the mirrors of the vehicles around me than I do looking over the windshield.

There are a lot of narcissistic drivers out there. They’re eating breakfast burritos, putting on makeup or, of course, texting continuously while doing 70 mph in traffic.

To them, that last bite of breakfast or perfect mascara or whatever profound text they need to send is more important than the safety of those around them. Some of them could run over you, feel bad about it for a few days and go right back to doing what’s more important to them. They simply don’t care enough to be concerned about your safety.

Wake up! It’s not going to change.

Passing laws against texting hasn’t made a damned bit of difference. It’s up to us to know what’s going on around us at all times. I’ve told my friends and family that if I’m ever killed or seriously injured by a texting driver, it’s my fault for allowing it to happen.

While I’m at it, I have something else to get off my chest.

When I’m not on the bikes, I’m driving my beater K-2500 Chevy full-size pickup. When I’m in the truck, I’m very aware of the bikes around me and avoid putting my truck in front of them, particularly when we’re all moving at about the same speed.

I know there are a lot of larger vehicle drivers out there operated by people who don’t ride, and they don’t realize that, when they are out in front of the motorcycle, they’re restricting our vision and reducing our possible escape routes.

Since they don’t ride, I don’t let it bother me too much. What does irritate me is when the guy in the big dually with a bike decal on his back window cuts in front of me. Seriously? Has he never been behind a pickup?

Be responsible for your own life and safety. And, for Pete’s sake, remember that lane splitting or white lining is not legal in Colorado, or most other states. Since it’s not a legal practice, you shouldn’t expect other drivers to be watching out for you.

I see lane splitting multiple times every day. If you must, do it in California where it is legal, or wait for it to be legalized in your state. Lane filtering in stopped traffic is legal in Utah. These states have reasonable restrictions on the practice—guidelines that most drivers are mindful of. The riders I see doing it here in Colorado are not in compliance and aren’t doing it safely.

Whenever I ride, under whatever circumstances and on whatever type of road, I’m always aware of my “escape routes.” The more the better.

While I’m watching what’s going around me, I always know what I’m going to do if something happens. I don’t like surprises, especially when I’m on a bike. I constantly try to anticipate the actions of the vehicles around me.

I guess what I’m saying is, it’s time to stop crying about the drivers around you and take full responsibility for your own life and safety.

I, for one, don’t intend to become one of the sad statistics. I enjoy life and riding too much!

Be careful out there, and make it your job to know what everyone around you is doing.

In the end, you are responsible for your safety. None of us has to be a victim.