An Eagle Rock (Motor)Cyclist Recalls Riding on Colorado

May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month. At a time when much of the community conversations about road safety center on bicycles, it’s easy to forget that Eagle Rock has quite a few people who rely on motorbikes to get around.

Joshua Lewis and Tracy Morgan, who co-own Taco Spot on Colorado Boulevard, are both motorcycle riders. (Morgan used to own Comics Vs. Toys, further east on Colorado.) Here is an account by Lewis of how he has survived riding a motorbike on the triple lanes of Colorado Boulevard—and what auto drivers can learn from his experiences about being more aware of motorcycle riders on the road:

“Riding a motorcycle is incredibly dangerous. Even at casual city speeds, I am traveling fast enough that, if by chance I should meet the pavement, it would almost certainly end my life.

“I take the necessary precautions: Helmet, gloves, safety training and a healthy dose of common sense. But at the end of the day, a lot of luck and the awareness of those around me is the most important thing that keeps my two wheels on the ground.

“In the past three months I have been in two near-collisions along the length of Colorado Boulevard in Eagle Rock. In front of the Bank of America, an older woman pulled out of the bank and quickly crossed over all three lanes in order to beat the wave of oncoming traffic. All the while, she was completely unaware of my presence in the lane she was merging into, forcing me into the median lane where I nearly collided into a car stationed there trying to make a left turn.

“A few weeks later, I was passing Target on Colorado headed toward Glendale when a young man took a hard right turn from Broadway onto Colorado right in front of me, again completely oblivious to the oncoming motorcycle. While I was able maneuver away without incident, these are the types of situations that a make it so difficult to ride in the city. 

“The best advice I ever received while learning to ride was to do so as though you are invisible to everyone else on the road. The problem is everyone also drives as though I am invisible. Most motorcyclists are aware of these dangers and accept them as an unfortunate part of the experience, but they shouldn't have to. Everyone should be able to feel safe on our roads.

“For the motorcyclist, that means taking those extra precautions and not putting ourselves in unnecessarily dangerous situations. For motorists, it means being aware that there are motorcyclists on the road at all times. It really is that simple.

“Bikes are small, motorscooters are even smaller, both are difficult to see and neither has the stopping power of a four-wheeled vehicle. But knowing that they're out there and being alert makes it safer for everyone.

“I think I need to say it again—riding a motorcycle is extremely dangerous. And while for many of us, the reward is worth the risk, we really can’t afford any more risk than already exists on our roads.”