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Gutless wonder in Colorado

It never ceases to amaze me how easy it is to say stupid things when you're hiding behind the cloak on anonymity.

The latest example of this is in the Boulder, Colo., area. An anonymously written flier is calling upon residents of rural mountain communities in Boulder County to stage a blockade of the return leg of the Sunrise Century ride on July 25. Here's what the flier says, according to the Daily Camera newspaper in Boulder:

“On July 25, in celebration of driver’s rights, many cars will use the Left Hand Canyon Road, drive slowly and many may break down unexpectedly, blocking areas to the cyclists on the return leg of the ‘Sunrise Century.' Many cars and safe drivers all working together can send a message to the Statehouse to restrict cycling on our roads which are our only alternatives during family emergencies, commuting and required duties.”

The Daily Camera reported the the fliers started being distributed days after a Boulder driver was ticketed on suspicion of endangering a cyclist on Lee Hill Road.

Officials in Boulder County say conflicts between cyclists and motorists have been increasing in recent years, but have intensified this year. On Aug. 5, a new law goes in effect in Colorado that increases cyclists' rights. Based upon information from Bicycle Colorado, here's a summary of the law:

• Requires motorists to give at least 3 feet of clearance when passing a bicyclists. (A similar law went into effect last year in Illinois.)
• Allows cyclists to ride side by side as long as they don't impede the normal flow of traffic.
• Makes throwing items at cyclists and intentionally driving toward a cyclists offenses.
• Allows cyclists to ride as far to the right as safely possible.
  

Bikerpelli Sports, the organizer of the Sunrise Century, has this response to the controversy:

"A special thanks to all our supporters during this interesting time. ... And remember we will do whatever it takes to create a safe, fun & enjoyable ride for all our dedicated athletes regardless of the obstacles that others may try to create. We don't shy away from a challenge any more than you would!"

I've always contended problems would be minimized if motorists -- and cyclists -- simply follow the rules of the road. In this case, I hope common sense prevails and that cyclists and motorists will share the road in Boulder County.

Labels: advocacy, Colorado, safety

Roger 0 comments links to this post 11:11 AM

Sunday, July 27, 2008

Bicycle-motorist showdown in Colorado

The Belleville News-Democrat subscribes to the Washington Post-Los Angeles Times news service, and I happened to come across this Los Angeles Times article tonight about problems between cyclists and motorists in Larimer County, Colo.

Here's an excerpt from the story:

A lawman stopped two visitors on a quiet county road and warned them that their behavior wouldn't be tolerated in these parts.

Their transgression: riding their two-wheeled steeds side-by-side instead of falling into single file when an automobile approached.

"Don't let the sun set on your behind in my county" is how the cyclists heard the deputy's warning.

Or maybe he said, "If you stay in Dodge, be prepared to follow the rules or suffer the consequences," as the sheriff would later say.

Either way, they were fighting words that shook a fragile truce between Colorado motorists and bicyclists and raised anew the question of whether the two groups can coexist on the state's roads.

Some residents have grown weary of cyclists who fill the roads every weekend, said Larimer County Sheriff Jim Alderden.

"Don't you just love this time of year, when the birds, boats and cyclists come out? Well, two out of three ain't bad," Alderden said in his May 20 column on the Larimer County Sheriff's Office Web site.

As in most states -- including Illinois and Missouri -- Colorado law allows cyclists to ride two abreast, as long as they don't impede the normal flow of traffic.

In the May 20 column, Alderden wrote: "We have been receiving complaints about cyclists hogging the road in the southern part of the county so we have stepped up our presence. Not surprisingly, many of these cyclists cop an attitude when stopped. Also not surprising, many of the cyclists with attitudes are part of the Boulder cycling community."

Alderden's department interprets the law as saying cyclists should ride single file when a vehicle approaches. Bicycle advocates disagree.

It's OK for a car to drive around two cyclists, just as they might for a slow-moving farm vehicle, state Sen. Greg Brophy, the author of the Colorado law, told the Times. "I don't believe it's unreasonable for a car to come off cruise control," he said.

Given recent problems with jury verdicts, the attitudes of some motorists and vandalism that flattened tires in Iowa and Missouri, it looks like those of us who are bicycle advocates have a lot of work to do.

Labels: advocacy, Colorado, safety

Roger 1 comments links to this post 12:07 AM