Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Motorcycle Safety Training topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Committee renews Colorado motorcycle training program, lowers instructor‑age threshold
Summary
Senate Bill 187 renews the Motorcycle Operator Safety Training (MOST) program, lowers the minimum instructor age from 21 to 18, and continues oversight by the Motorcycle Safety Advisory Board; the committee forwarded the bill to appropriations after testimony from safety advocates, vendors and stakeholders.
The Senate Transportation & Energy Committee on Oct. 12 voted to continue Colorado’s Motorcycle Operator Safety Training (MOST) program and approved changes that include lowering the minimum age for MOST instructors from 21 to 18. Sponsors described the measure as a routine sunset renewal with a limited change to expand the instructor pool.
Senator Sullivan (sponsor) described the bill as a routine renewal after multiple prior sunsetting cycles, and Senator Henriksen (co‑prime) emphasized MOST’s role in reducing motorcycle crash risk. "When you look at the percentages of accidents and the percentages of fatalities ... the category that has the least fatalities per overall ... is still those who take the lessons," Henriksen said, supporting continuation.
Testimony reflected broad agreement on the value of training and differing views on program administration. Colorado State Patrol Major J.B. Burt said the Patrol administers MOST and noted the program’s importance and administrative responsibilities. Carol Gold of the Colorado Department of Transportation’s Highway Safety Office supported SB 187 and pointed to the alarming rise in motorcycle fatalities, noting 162 fatalities (record high) in 2024 and urging continued investment in rider training and awareness campaigns.
Vendor and rider‑advocate testimony raised implementation concerns. Several witnesses urged addressing inconsistencies between the MOST manual and program rules, quality‑assurance visit frequency, vendor subsidy options and the role of the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) in curriculum oversight. ABATE and other riders asked the legislature to consider re‑establishing participant subsidies to increase training participation; short‑line vendor testimony warned that strict MSF enforcement can decertify ranges quickly and stop classes.
Committee members discussed sunsetting intervals and the possibility of earlier review benchmarks if fatalities do not decline. After testimony, the committee moved SB 187 to the appropriations committee with a favorable recommendation.
Why it matters: MOST provides free or subsidized training pathways for riders to earn endorsements and is a central countermeasure to rising motorcycle fatalities in Colorado. Changes to instructor eligibility and program oversight affect availability of courses and rider safety.
What’s next: SB 187 was forwarded to the Senate Appropriations Committee for consideration.
