Bicyclists keep right - Ride single file

Well folks it's that time of year again- yes it's time for my annual rant about road bikes on our narrow mountain roads.

We will all soon experience the massive invasion of wannabe Lance Armstrong's- who wander up the hill to invade our narrow roads, in search of the thrill of peddling too slow uphill and speeding too fast downhill.

I won't care much about the law that allows you to ride double wide- or the requirement to provide you with 3 feet of space- that may work out in the city- but up here many times the roads do not provide that kind of room. I will not swerve into oncoming traffic and endanger myself and other vehicles in order to accomodate you because you refuse to stay to the right.

3 inches is as good as 3 feet to me!

My road has a sign that says- Bicyclists keep right - Ride single file. If your group is riding double a breast- expect a good honk from my horn in your ear just as our paths are at perigee. I nearly hit one Lance head on last year because he was speeding down the mountain on the wrong side of the road- in my lane. If it were not for my split second reaction - he would have been splattered all over my windshield.

I have to pay taxes to use my vehicles on public roads- why don't road bikes? The time has come to get their share paid up.

And don't get me started on your outfits- dayglo green and pink and yellow. Listen- spandex is not flattering unless your an in shape female hard body with god given curves.

I know a few mountain folks who find all that spandex on you city slickers kindof attractive- so if your biking on a back country road - and it's getting dark - and you start to hear banjo music-

You better peddle faster!!....

You better peddle faster

This makes me want to buy a banjo and learn to play....

I'm not sure I agree with the extreme nature you take, but I can agree with many of your points. I'm not vindictive towards cyclists, but both sides could do a lot to make it easier, and most of this responsibility rides with cyclists.

Also, for all the city cyclists out there, please decide if you are a pedestrian, or a vehicle. You can abide by either set of rules, but please don't make your own mash-up of both, and run red lights, etc., because that level of unpredictibility puts more than just your wellbeing in jeopardy. Many drivers (especially those that are highly dangerous and drive when distracted) rely on the regular flow of traffic and events. I'm not saying that's right, but it's the truth. Disrupt that flow, for whatever reason, and you are actively asking for disaster.

Be careful out there, everybody!

Already came up upon a group of riders last weekend that were 3 across and ignoring the truck behind them honking and yelling at them. They responded by flipping the truck off and I thought to myself a couple of them were going to become road rash. When the truck close called them while passing, they all of the sudden started to ride in single file. I almost never leave the house on the weekend because of the riders....

I'll give any bike 3' clearance from where they should be riding. If they're 3' out in the road farther than they should be, they're going to be riding way to close to my vehicle and denying me the clearance I require to safely operate on the road.

So why do city bicylists think they have to wear the $500 spandex outfit? They aren't competing in the Olympics where every second counts, for Pete's sake.

On the other hand, I'm sure they find me peddling around on my fat-tire bike in sweat pants or old jeans to be incredibly laughable.

I'm with the licensing/registration requirement. Two reasons:
1.) You're a hazard because frankly, you're not motorized, and so not being able to keep up with the flow of traffic requires me to go into ONCOMING traffic to get around you, endangering you, me and the people coming the other way. Let alone most of our roads up here have endless blind spots and are narrow as all hell, so even worse.
2.) You say you aren't required to pay any fees because "bicycles don't cause damage to the roads like (evil) cars." Okay, so cars were never meant to drive on the pavement, all that black top with the various yellow lines were created for your cycle. Okaaaay. Sure. What about motor cycles? I can't imagine an average motorcycle causing anywhere near the road wear as a car. In fact, I happen to think they're pretty close to your bicycle. THEY still have to pay fees, and they're not anymore of a danger than a car cause they're motorized and keep up with the flow of traffic. I don't have to expect them to ride single file or give them three feet of room when I pass. See where I'm going here? PAY UP, or STAY OFF THE ROAD. Of course, this is just IMHO.

NOTE: I'm also in agreement about the spandex. Cute women good, old roley poley men bad. Also, I never had anyone flip me off, and that's probably a good thing cause I would lose my job and all that I care about from ending up in prison for something extremely stupid.

I giggle at the 'sponsors' on the spandex outfits.

I figure those wanna-bes huffing up the canyon with the name of some obscure hi-tech brand of butt padding on their shirt have just helped pay for the same name to be placed on a real competitor's shirt.

The spandex does serve a purpose for the comfort of the rider. If you did any serious riding in regular shorts, you are probably going to pay a price for it with major rash or blistering of sensitive areas.

Also, it's not a good idea to wear cotton on cool days. It holds the sweat and it can be very cold going fast in the wind. Plus, sweat contributes to the above mentioned blistering. And no, the outfits don't cost $500.

I ride a bike up here now and then, but I stick to a mountain bike and usually ride on bike approved trails. But sometimes you have to ride on the paved road to get to the trails or unpaved roads. I used to road bike in the city, but gave it up when I moved up here. It's too dangerous, IMO, especially with all the upset drivers (especially on narrow, winding roads when going downhill). And yes, there are dumb and inconsiderate bike riders but I think most try to follow the rules.

TITLE 42 VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC : REGULATION OF VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC : ARTICLE 4 REGULATION OF VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC : PART 14 OTHER OFFENSES : 42-4-1412. Operation of bicycles and other human-powered vehicles.


(1) Every person riding a bicycle shall have all of the rights and duties applicable to the driver of any other vehicle under this article, except as to special regulations in this article and except as to those provisions which by their nature can have no application. Said riders shall comply with the rules set forth in this section and section 42-4-221, and, when using streets and highways within incorporated cities and towns, shall be subject to local ordinances regulating the operation of bicycles as provided in section 42-4-111.

(2) It is the intent of the general assembly that nothing contained in House Bill No. 1246, enacted at the second regular session of the fifty-sixth general assembly, shall in any way be construed to modify or increase the duty of the department of transportation or any political subdivision to sign or maintain highways or sidewalks or to affect or increase the liability of the state of Colorado or any political subdivision under the "Colorado Governmental Immunity Act", article 10 of title 24, C.R.S.

(3) No bicycle shall be used to carry more persons at one time than the number for which it is designed or equipped.

(4) No person riding upon any bicycle shall attach the same or himself or herself to any motor vehicle upon a roadway.

(5) (a) ANY PERSON OPERATING A BICYCLE UPON A ROADWAY AT LESS THAN THE NORMAL SPEED OF TRAFFIC SHALL RIDE IN THE RIGHT-HAND LANE, SUBJECT TO THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS:

(I) IF THE RIGHT-HAND LANE THEN AVAILABLE FOR TRAFFIC IS WIDE ENOUGH TO BE SAFELY SHARED WITH OVERTAKING VEHICLES, A BICYCLIST SHALL RIDE FAR ENOUGH TO THE RIGHT AS JUDGED SAFE BY THE BICYCLIST TO FACILITATE THE MOVEMENT OF SUCH OVERTAKING VEHICLES UNLESS OTHER CONDITIONS MAKE IT UNSAFE TO DO SO.

(II) A BICYCLIST MAY USE A LANE OTHER THAN THE RIGHT-HAND LANE WHEN:
(A) PREPARING FOR A LEFT TURN AT AN INTERSECTION OR INTO A PRIVATE ROADWAY OR DRIVEWAY;
( OVERTAKING A SLOWER VEHICLE; OR
(C) TAKING REASONABLY NECESSARY PRECAUTIONS TO AVOID HAZARDS OR ROAD CONDITIONS.

(III) UPON APPROACHING AN INTERSECTION WHERE RIGHT TURNS ARE PERMITTED AND THERE IS A DEDICATED RIGHT-TURN LANE, A BICYCLIST MAY RIDE ON THE LEFT-HAND PORTION OF THE DEDICATED RIGHT-TURN LANE EVEN IF THE BICYCLIST DOES NOT INTEND TO TURN RIGHT.
(b) A BICYCLIST SHALL NOT BE EXPECTED OR REQUIRED TO:
(I) RIDE OVER OR THROUGH HAZARDS AT THE EDGE OF A ROADWAY, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO FIXED OR MOVING OBJECTS, PARKED OR MOVING VEHICLES, BICYCLES, PEDESTRIANS, ANIMALS, SURFACE HAZARDS, OR NARROW LANES; OR
(II) RIDE WITHOUT A REASONABLE SAFETY MARGIN ON THE RIGHT-HAND SIDE OF THE ROADWAY.
(c) A PERSON OPERATING A BICYCLE UPON A ONE-WAY ROADWAY WITH TWO OR MORE MARKED TRAFFIC LANES MAY RIDE AS NEAR TO THE LEFT-HAND CURB OR EDGE OF SUCH ROADWAY AS JUDGED SAFE BY THE BICYCLIST, SUBJECT TO THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS:
(I) IF THE LEFT-HAND LANE THEN AVAILABLE FOR TRAFFIC IS WIDE ENOUGH TO BE SAFELY SHARED WITH OVERTAKING VEHICLES, A BICYCLIST SHALL RIDE FAR ENOUGH TO THE LEFT AS JUDGED SAFE BY THE BICYCLIST TO FACILITATE THE MOVEMENT OF SUCH OVERTAKING VEHICLES UNLESS OTHER CONDITIONS MAKE IT UNSAFE TO DO SO.
(II) A BICYCLIST SHALL NOT BE EXPECTED OR REQUIRED TO:
(A) RIDE OVER OR THROUGH HAZARDS AT THE EDGE OF A ROADWAY, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO FIXED OR MOVING OBJECTS, PARKED OR MOVING VEHICLES, BICYCLES, PEDESTRIANS, ANIMALS, SURFACE HAZARDS, OR NARROW LANES; OR
( RIDE WITHOUT A REASONABLE SAFETY MARGIN ON THE LEFT-HAND SIDE OF THE ROADWAY.


(6) (a) PERSONS RIDING BICYCLES UPON A ROADWAY SHALL NOT RIDE MORE THAN TWO ABREAST EXCEPT ON PATHS OR PARTS OF ROADWAYS SET ASIDE FOR THE EXCLUSIVE USE OF BICYCLES.
(b) PERSONS RIDING BICYCLES TWO ABREAST SHALL NOT IMPEDE THE NORMAL AND REASONABLE MOVEMENT OF TRAFFIC AND, ON A LANED ROADWAY, SHALL RIDE WITHIN A SINGLE LANE.

(7) A person operating a bicycle shall keep at least one hand on the handlebars at all times.

(8) (a) A person riding a bicycle intending to turn left shall follow a course described in sections 42-4-901 (1), 42-4-903, and 42-4-1007 or may make a left turn in the manner prescribed in paragraph (b) of this subsection (8).
(b) A person riding a bicycle intending to turn left shall approach the turn as closely as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway. After proceeding across the intersecting roadway to the far corner of the curb or intersection of the roadway edges, the bicyclist shall stop, as much as practicable, out of the way of traffic. After stopping, the bicyclist shall yield to any traffic proceeding in either direction along the roadway that the bicyclist had been using. After yielding and complying with any official traffic control device or police officer regulating traffic on the highway along which the bicyclist intends to proceed, the bicyclist may proceed in the new direction.
(c) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraphs (a) and (b) of this subsection (8), the transportation commission and local authorities in their respective jurisdictions may cause official traffic control devices to be placed on roadways and thereby require and direct that a specific course be traveled.
(9) (a) Except as otherwise provided in this subsection (9), every person riding a bicycle shall signal the intention to turn or stop in accordance with the provisions of section 42-4-903; except that a person riding a bicycle may signal a right turn with the right arm extended horizontally.
(b) A signal of intention to turn right or left when required shall be given continuously during not less than the last one hundred feet traveled by the bicycle before turning and shall be given while the bicycle is stopped waiting to turn. A signal by hand and arm need not be given continuously if the hand is needed in the control or operation of the bicycle.
(10) (a) A person riding a bicycle upon and along a sidewalk or pathway or across a roadway upon and along a crosswalk shall yield the right-of-way to any pedestrian and shall give an audible signal before overtaking and passing such pedestrian. A person riding a bicycle in a crosswalk shall do so in a manner that is safe for pedestrians.
(b) A person shall not ride a bicycle upon and along a sidewalk or pathway or across a roadway upon and along a crosswalk where such use of bicycles is prohibited by official traffic control devices or local ordinances. A person riding a bicycle shall dismount before entering any crosswalk where required by official traffic control devices or local ordinances.
(c) A person riding or walking a bicycle upon and along a sidewalk or pathway or across a roadway upon and along a crosswalk shall have all the rights and duties applicable to a pedestrian under the same circumstances, including, but not limited to, the rights and duties granted and required by section 42-4-802.
(d) (Deleted by amendment, L. 2005, p. 1353, § 1, effective July 1, 2005.)
(11) (a) A person may park a bicycle on a sidewalk unless prohibited or restricted by an official traffic control device or local ordinance.
(b) A bicycle parked on a sidewalk shall not impede the normal and reasonable movement of pedestrian or other traffic.
(c) A bicycle may be parked on the road at any angle to the curb or edge of the road at any location where parking is allowed.
(d) A bicycle may be parked on the road abreast of another bicycle or bicycles near the side of the road or any location where parking is allowed in such a manner as does not impede the normal and reasonable movement of traffic.
(e) In all other respects, bicycles parked anywhere on a highway shall conform to the provisions of part 12 of this article regulating the parking of vehicles.
(12) (a) Any person who violates any provision of this section commits a class 2 misdemeanor traffic offense; except that section 42-2-127 shall not apply.
(b) Any person riding a bicycle who violates any provision of this article other than this section which is applicable to such a vehicle and for which a penalty is specified shall be subject to the same specified penalty as any other vehicle; except that section 42-2-127 shall not apply.
(13) Upon request, the law enforcement agency having jurisdiction shall complete a report concerning an injury or death incident that involves a bicycle on the roadways of the state, even if such accident does not involve a motor vehicle.
Source: L. 94: Entire title amended with relocations, p. 2395, § 1, effective January 1, 1995. L. 2005: (6)(a)(I), (9)(a), and (10) amended and (13) added, p. 1353, § 1, effective July 1.


And for drivers including sociopaths such as BearMtnHIB:


42-4-1002. Passing oncoming vehicles. (1) Drivers of vehicles proceeding in opposite directions shall pass each other to the right, and, upon roadways having width for not more than one lane of traffic in each direction, each driver shall give to the other at least one-half of the main-traveled portion of the roadway as nearly as possible.

(2) A driver shall not pass a bicyclist moving in the same direction and in the same lane when there is oncoming traffic unless the driver can simultaneously:

(a) Allow oncoming vehicles at least one-half of the main-traveled portion of the roadway in accordance with subsection (1) of this section; and

(b) Allow the bicyclist at least a three-foot separation between the right side of the driver's vehicle, including all mirrors or other projections, and the left side of the bicyclist at all times.

(3) Any person who violates any provision of this section commits a class A traffic infraction.

It is an infraction to pass any bicyclist with less than 3 feet of separation regardless of where the bicyclist is riding. In the event that such sociopaths do crowd or harass bicyclists then they are guilty of careless driving which is four points and up to 18 months in jail and/or up to $5000. So you might want to reconsider your threats.


42-4-1008.5. Crowding or threatening bicyclist. (1) The driver of a motor vehicle shall not, in a careless and imprudent manner, drive the vehicle unnecessarily close to, toward, or near a bicyclist.

(2) Any person who violates subsection (1) of this section commits careless driving as described in section 42-4-1402.

and for those lovely people who like to throw objects at bicyclists:
18-9-116. Throwing missiles at vehicles - harassment of bicyclists. (1) Any person who knowingly projects any missile at or against any vehicle or equipment designed for the transportation of persons or property, other than a bicycle, commits a class 1 petty offense.

(2) Any person who knowingly projects any missile at or against a bicyclist commits a class 2 misdemeanor.

(3) As used in this section, "missile" means any object or substance.

I want one of those Little Rascals/Spanky and Gang boxing gloves mounted on the scissor control. LOL