Comments on: Proposals to Ban Bicycles in Colorado and Iowa

By: Dana

Dana — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 18:37:36 +0000

Neither can I. If a driver can’t tolerate or safely deal with individual, or small groups of, cyclists, or any other slower traffic on a public right-of-way (not limited-access), it’s the driver who should be on the sidewalk.
But I’m not sure that’s the problem here, and as irritating as they might be to some, I don’t think organized (as in Permitted) events are either, if only because advance publicity would hopefully be enough to warn local motorists.
The real problem, or at least one I could agree on, is large groups of cyclists riding together. Over the past 5 or so years, I’ve seen this 3 times during visits to Iowa. If memory serves me well, all were in the area between Ames, Boone, and DesMoines. One of these groups, which I encountered at Slater, was an easy 70 yards long, tightly packed. If a driver is stuck behind them, how is he supposed to handle it? Passing such a group would be quite risky, but being held to 20 or 30 on a road marked for 55 would get to anyone sooner or later. It in no way compares to following farm equipment, the operators of which, in my experience, can be counted on to take every opportunity to let traffic pass.
I witnessed another of these groups, perhaps even larger, blow through a stop sign. I saw them coming, read the situation correctly, and stopped hard for them even though I had the right-of-way. Truth is, this was entertaining for me, but I wouldn’t count on the driver behind me feeling the same way.
I’m a motorcyclist. I quit riding in large groups for this very reason: we could be going over the speed limit and some motorist is always going to want to pass, and if he’s to determined then we’re all in trouble.
I’m a truck driver, one who’s driven well over 100,000 miles a year, and I can attest to the stupidity and impatience of the motoring public. I’ve seen bad truck driving, too, more in a year than you’ll see in a decade.
I’m a bicyclist. I ride over 10 miles to work whenever I can. I did my first RAGBRAI this year.
I can’t think of anything I’ve seen that demonstrates indifferance and carelessnes on a scale such as that demonstrated by bicyclists riding in large groups as I’ve described.
So, are the people who want to ban us “crackpots”?
Perhaps.

By: Randy

Randy — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 02:31:43 +0000

Deno, I don’t think the proposals are aimed at large events; those typically have to get permits and such ahead of time. And the economic impact of large events is such that communities often lobby hard to have these rides come through their towns.

The proposals are aimed at everyday cyclists: people traveling to work, to school, to errands, whatever. And yes, people riding for recreation.

If a community or county wants to deny a permit for a large event, that’s one thing. Banning an entire class of users from the roads is quite another. I can’t see any justification for that.

By: Deano

Deano — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 01:43:23 +0000

I’ll be the voice of opposition here.

There are many roads in Colorado, that are quite narrow and curvy-meaning blind corners, often the blacktop ends at the fog line(the white line for those who don’t know).Which means there is barely enough room for two vehicles to pass let alone a bicycle and two cars.Probably the biggest reason Bikes get hit by cars here.
Then there is the economy, when ride the rockies comes through here it pretty much shuts the roads down,keeping people who work hard for a living away from work entirely in some instances, but I guess feeding their families doesn’t matter?
How about how the CSP has to be out in overwhelming force to chaperrone ride the rockies?My tax money pays for that, so I can’t get to work,just so a bunch of bicyclers who don’t belong here can ride four across?
Oh and the guy who mentioned having to pass a tractor going to the fields, don’t be retarded, that farmer is MAKING HIS LIVING WITH THAT TRACTOR, not to mention ensuring you have food next week.
So off I go to support the BAN on BICYCLES on Colorado roads, flame away I don’t care.

By: Sean

Sean — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 02:10:59 +0000

Typical. I imagine these to be the same sorts who’ll fight any kind of trail project, including privately-funded rail-trail conversions. I honestly think these people are simply jealous when they see people more physically-fit than themselves out enjoying fresh air.

By: Randy

Randy — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 15:22:38 +0000

The Iowa Bicycle Coalition has created a petition in opposition to the bike ban petition: "I oppose an effort to ban bicycles on Iowa public roads". You can sign it here.

By: inkadu

inkadu — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 19:40:42 +0000

Right, because nobody’s ever had to pass a tractor going 5 MPH on its way to the fields. Sheesh.

And please single up when there’s traffic. Roads are for traveling not conversation.