Why Cyclists Are Angry With the Jeffco Commissioners
The cycling world has not been without drama since the end of the Tour de France last weekend, as the Tour's champion, Alberto Contador, and American cycling icon Lance Armstrong have been trading barbs via the press and Twitter (recap from The Denver Post). But Colorado's own cycling saga is unfolding, with the latest furor coming from Jefferson County. In the wake of recent drama between cyclists and motorists in Deer Creek Canyon, west of Chatfield Reservoir, the county commissioners announced they were exploring a way to seek more power for counties to regulate roads and ultimately declare cycling too unsafe for some roadways. The cycling community reacted swiftly, smothering the commissioners' office with e-mails and phone calls from as far away as England. The commissioners seem to be backing off a bit, as I discovered for the Columbine Courier, pointing out that they never intended to ban any cyclists. But in the rush to come up with a common response to all the cyclists who contacted them, the Jeffco commissioners may have violated Colorado open meetings laws by discussing the topic via e-mail and not in public after timely notice (via the Courier). It's not just a Jeffco issue. Boulder County recently appointed one of its deputies as a liaison to work directly with the cycling community, Boulder's Daily Camera reports.
Comments
Submitted by Mike (not verified) on Wed, 2009-07-29 15:56.
I am all for cycling as a great form of exercise and to help the environment. What I object to is the attitude that some cyclists have that they have the right to ride however they please. They don't adhere to the rules of the road. I have almost been hit by cyclists racing thru red lights as I walk thru an intersection downtown. I blame Lance Armstong for this holier-than-thou attitude. Some cyclists need to get off their high horse, or high seat, and start riding safer.
Submitted by Joe Mizereck (not verified) on Thu, 2009-07-30 05:25.
Mike, you are absolutely right when you say "some" cyclists need to get off their high horse and start riding safer. We cyclists who do work hard to observe the laws and be respectful of motorists know we have a problem with fellow cyclists who think they can ride however they like. We don't like this behavior either, as cyclists or motorists. At the same time, we law abiding and respectful cyclists are terribly frustrated with "some" motorists who fail to respect our rights to "our" roads and care little about the idea sharing these roads.
The good that can be achieved by dealing effectively with both sources of frustration is amazing and worthy of our efforts. Let's focus our efforts on helping "some" cyclists and "some" motorists become more respectful of the laws, the rights and each other.
What do you think?
Joe Mizereck
joe@3feetplease.com
joe@roadguardian.com
