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  Home Page » Opinion » Letters To The Editor » Cyclists Are Guests On Paved Roads

Cyclists are guests on paved roads

Roads exist for motor vehicle traffic. They are built and maintained with taxes from the sale of gasoline and vehicle registration. Bicycles use no gasoline and don't require registration.

Cyclists have as much right to occupy the road as the sheep herded up County Road 501 every spring. At least the sheep have enough sense to get out of the way for vehicles, although to their credit cyclists don't leave as much residue on the road.

The primary argument of the cyclist is the legal requirement for drivers to "share the road." However, this is a two-way street (no pun intended). Let's check the Colorado Bicycling Manual and bicycling laws as mandated by the Colorado Department of Transportation.

A few of the more commonly bent or broken rules: Any person riding a bicycle shall ride in the right-hand lane. When being overtaken by another vehicle, such person shall ride as close to the right-hand side as practicable. Where a paved shoulder suitable for bicycle riding is present, persons operating bicycles shall ride on the paved shoulder.

Virtually all bicyclists ride in the traveled portion of the roadway. How much dirt, gravel, trash and road kill is on the shoulder is not my concern. This is where bicycles are supposed to be.

Next: Persons operating bicycles on roadways shall ride single file; except that riding no more than two abreast is permitted in the following circumstances: When riding two abreast will not impede the normal and reasonable movement of traffic; or when riding on paths or parts of roadways set aside for the exclusive use of bicycles. There is nothing more frustrating than going 20 mph behind two cyclists riding abreast oblivious to traffic backing up behind them. If you really need to talk, may I suggest a nice tandem bike where you can chat without impeding traffic.

Cyclists must realize they are guests on our paved roads, follow all the rules and make sure the roads can still serve their primary purpose as a thoroughfare for vehicular traffic.

Mike Gardner, Bayfield