Colorado’s 2026 riding season is off to a concerning start, with three motorcycle fatalities reported in January and February alone — months that traditionally see reduced riding activity.
Unseasonably mild winter days have kept many riders on the road. While dry pavement and above-freezing temperatures may feel like an early start to spring, safety advocates warn that winter hazards remain very real.
BikerDown Foundation Colorado, founded in Denver and dedicated to assisting injured motorcyclists and their families, says the early-season fatalities are alarming.
“We are not starting the 2026 riding season off on a good note,” representatives with BikerDown said. “Warm winter days create an opportunity to ride, but they also create a false sense of security.”
One of the most overlooked dangers this time of year is residual sand and gravel left behind after snow and ice control operations. Even when the snow melts, and roadways appear clear, traction material often remains in corners, intersections, and along roadway edges — precisely where motorcycles rely most on stability and grip.
“Riders heading out on those warm days may not realize that traction conditions are still compromised,” BikerDown noted. “That sand and gravel doesn’t disappear when the temperatures rise.”
The organization also points to excessive speed — particularly on open stretches of roadway — and difficulty properly navigating curves or turns as contributing factors in serious crashes. Riders who have been off their bikes for weeks or months may need time to rebuild reaction timing and cornering precision.
At the same time, distracted driving continues to pose a significant threat. Drivers who are texting or otherwise not fully focused behind the wheel add to the risk motorcyclists face, especially during months when many motorists are not expecting to see bikes in traffic.
As winter transitions toward spring, BikerDown is urging riders to approach early-season miles with caution: Reduce speed entering curves, expect loose sand and gravel in shaded areas and intersections, and increase the following distance and conduct a thorough pre-ride inspection
Wearing full protective gear, regardless of temperature, is critical — even on warm winter days. Air temperature drops approximately 3 to 5 degrees for every 1,000 feet of elevation gain, and wind chill while riding can reduce your effective temperature by another 10 to 20 degrees depending on speed. What feels like a mild 55-degree afternoon at a stop can quickly become cold and distracting once you are moving at highway speeds or climbing into higher elevations. Proper cold-weather gear — insulated layers, full-finger gloves, quality riding pants, and a protective jacket — helps maintain circulation, grip strength, and reaction time. Cold hands and stiff muscles directly impact throttle control, braking precision, and cornering stability. Visibility also matters. Supplemental lighting systems such as the Brake Free LED helmet light improve conspicuity by placing a brake signal at eye level for riders behind you. In group rides especially, riders tend to focus on the road ahead — scanning curves and scenery at eye level — not on a low-mounted brake light. A helmet-mounted brake light provides earlier visual cues when you begin to decelerate, reducing the risk of rear-end collisions. Protective gear is not just about crash survival; it directly affects focus, comfort, and control — all of which are essential in early-season riding conditions.
Drivers, they add, must remain vigilant and eliminate distractions when sharing the road.
Warmer days may extend Colorado’s riding season, but they do not eliminate winter road conditions. With three fatalities already recorded in the first two months of 2026, rider awareness and defensive driving — from everyone — will be critical in the weeks ahead.
Three Motorcycle Fatalities Mark Troubling Start to 2026 Colorado Riding Season
