GUILTY!

Same in Durango/La Plata County, Mike. Share the road goes both ways and often mutual consideration lacks on both side of the issue......and there are jerks on both sides.

One guy got so upset, he threatened bicyclists with a gun clearly visible at his side. Here's a local article questioning whether this is uniquely an American issue and paints it as a blue/white collar issue.

Having been a 'mirror tag' target as well as 'inconvenienced' by riders taking up more of the road than they need to, I can clearly see both sides.

I didn't find the CO law description on a quick search, but I believe the intent was to give the rider the right to use the road as necessary for safety (at their discretion'), but move aside and single file if practical and vehicles need to provide 3' ft. clearance for safe passing.

I remember being very impressed in the late 70's moving to Boulder and seeing the bike lanes making it easy to get around as I did. It is still a mixed around here where bike lanes are increasing as are paths, but they aren't everywhere and some places the cyclists needs the road and the shoulders that exist are not swept forcing cyclists into the road.

It's also a planning issue where when road improvements occur, wider shoulders need to be included in the planning. A friend, an avid mountain biker was a County engineer. When we were under yet another season of major road improvements on our road (a major cycling road) which cost bazzillions of dollars, I asked him why they can't include a couple more feet of width/per lane as they go. I basically got the 'yeah, whatever' response.

A lot has to change before this conflict goes away.


Edited by Alpinord - 11/3/09 at 8:54am

Here's the road rage article in our area.

And the synopsis of the new CO bicycling law from the article:

IIRC (please correct me if I'm wrong) the change also allows motorists to cross a single or double yellow line to provide the clearance for bicyclists if there isn't oncoming vehicles.

Here's

Colorado Statute 42-4-1412

which includes:


Here's an article on the new law which states:


I think common sense rules on this one. Depending on circumstances (blind corners, traffic, etc) Telerod, at 50 mph, weaving over the yellow line to pass a cyclist doing less than 20 is a different issue than passing a longer and wider vehicle doing 45. There are plenty of sections where visibility is good and 'sliding over and back' is neither unsafe nor foolish. Other sections the driver will have to wait or take a dumb chance. I live in a rural area and endless times I've gotten passed by vehicles very closely because the driver stayed in their lane and it was blatantly obvious they could have easily moved over and back safely to provide clearance. For other areas it's gray and others the option isn't there. It's not like continual winding, narrow lanes in the woods of the east and NW, etc., all the time. Metro riding is it's own animal.

It's a mixed bag and it gets down to mutual understanding, discretion and sharing the road no matter what you are driving or riding.


Edited by Alpinord - 11/4/09 at 6:45am

Quote:
FTR, there also is a relatively new law on the books (finally) to the effect that if a vehicle is traveling less than the speed limit and more than 5 cars stack up (ie, are IMPEDED) behind and cannot pass, they are required to pull over and allow the others to pass.........seems only fair that this would also apply to cyclists who are also supposed to adhere to traffic laws........common courtesies.

Conversely, years ago a big frustration riding the Ironhorse Classic from Durango to Silverton over two passes was it was illegal to cross a solid yellow line to pass a white knuckled motorist on the descents. After climbing for almost 3 hours, you earned the right to drop fast into Silverton, dammit! They now close off the the Million Dollar highway for a few hours during the race which removed that issue. A good compromise that I see as progress.


Edited by Alpinord - 11/4/09 at 1:57pm