Did you know that Blackhawk banned bicycles?

[robsterclaw]

Interesting this is posted. The members not from Colo Spgs might not know this area, but Powers is down to 1 lane for a few miles starting around Drennan (the road out to the airport). So I'm driving today and there's two bicyclists. One is still on the pavement, but on the other side of the white line. The other douche is on my side of the white line riding side by side with the smart cyclist. Since it's down to 1 lane, and I can't pass of course CDOT put the orange barrles blocking part of the lane we needed to drive on, so there wasn't much space.

Fuck 'em. I didn't slow down, I probably passed him with less than 2 feet of space. I always wondered how I'd feel if I accidentally hurt someone. Don't think it would have bothered me much if my mirror had hit his dumb ass. Powers is a very busy road so it's not to bright to be riding at 15 miles an hour.

[blackford76]

Just this afternoon I was on my way back home, getting on West bound 470 from Wadsworth, hit the gas pretty hard so I am up to speed to merge, look over my left shoulder to find a gap, the Wife yells at me, I look back forward to see some oxygen thief coming down the on ramp on his bicycle. Older guy, neon spandex, stupid aero helmet and all, giving ME the bird. Seriously, WTF??? At what point is it just natural selection?
Growing up I rode the hell out of my bike, I had a Mongoose all decked out, it cost twice as much as my first pickup, I did two BRAN rides, (bicycle ride across Nebraska), so I don't hate cyclists in general.
As to the original purpose of this thread, my folks live in Blackhawk, so I am there about once a week, I don't remember seeing cyclists. Maybe out on the hiway, but not around town. I don't suppose this new law would stand if challenged.

[iamhunter]

If they use the road, they should have to register/get tags etc and pay the fees like motorists.

I know your just trying to make a point, but really, you want the government to regulate BICYCLE riding?

I highly doubt it.

Cyclists may "annoy" you.

but the right to travel is just a RIGHT not a privelege, and cycling gives an a chance for people who don't want, or can't afford to subject themselves to government regulated "driving" a chance to get around.

Sure theres a whole lot of granola eating douchebags that abuse it,

but I don't think we should regulate activities around the douchebags.

[BigBear]

I know your just trying to make a point, but really, you want the government to regulate BICYCLE riding?

Relax friend, I was just making a point as suggested.

What I would like to see is all regulation gone on the roads and everyone driving super bumper cars! That would be fun....

[theGinsue]

but the right to travel is just a RIGHT not a privelege, and cycling gives an a chance for people who don't want, or can't afford to subject themselves to government regulated "driving" a chance to get around.

Sure theres a whole lot of granola eating douchebags that abuse it,

but I don't think we should regulate activities around the douchebags.

The problem with this thought process is that legislation/regualtion has been put into place which puts many cyclists into a bit of a protected class while ignoring the needs, safety, and interests of motorists. None of the existing legislation requires cyclists to extricate themselves from the flow of traffic if they are backing up traffic (for instance, c nCO already requires motorists to move over if they have a backup of 3 vehicles. Somehow this doesn't seem to apply to cyclists and if it does, they typically ignore the requirement).

[hollohas]

Fixed for ya.

Thank you for the correction. This I did not know. I remember when I took my MC class and read the MC license booklet from the DMV it said to never ride side-by-side. I thought I might have remembered this wrong so I pulled up the DMV study guide online. Sure enough, still says never ride side-by-side.

So, checked the Colorado Revised Statutes, 42-4-1503(4) says motorcycles can ride 2 abreast.

You'd think the DMV guide would actually be about the laws...that's what I get for assuming.

[cowboykjohnson]

Thank you for the correction. This I did not know. I remember when I took my MC class and read the MC license booklet from the DMV it said to never ride side-by-side. I thought I might have remembered this wrong so I pulled up the DMV study guide online. Sure enough, still says never ride side-by-side.

So, checked the Colorado Revised Statutes, 42-4-1503(4) says motorcycles can ride 2 abreast.

You'd think the DMV guide would actually be about the laws...that's what I get for assuming.

they think it is dangerous, and if you don't know how to ride it can be... they want you to ride off set, one to the left, one to the right, like 5 feet in front or behind.
But we have a 12ft wide lane not a 1 foot shoulder that we are supposed to be in.

[Ah Pook]

I've been on both sides of this on and have an equal disdain for two wheel and four wheel assholes.

The "keyboard tough guy" factor is high today.

[68Charger]

obviously this is a hot topic..
I'm with Mr. Pook..I've seen polite cyclists, and complete douchebags.. (just like I see both kinds of drivers daily)

If a cyclist is taking up too much of the lane and obstructing, they can expect to hear a polite tap of the horn either as I pass (so as not to surprise), or when I start to lose my patience.. Most cyclists will understand, and provide enough space for me to pass.. flip me the bird in response, and you probably won't stop hearing the horn until we're separated somehow.. I would never cause them physical harm, but if they won't respect, I won't either.. will pass them with the minimum space I need.. they assault me, and I'll defend myself, but I won't assault them.

I'm curious if you call the police & report them as a obstructing traffic, or violating other laws (riding 4 abreast, etc) would they ticket them? because they don't have license #s, you'd have to follow them until the police arrived... While I'm not for more gov't regulations, IF bicycles had license#s, then you could report the douchebags that give cyclists a bad rap..

When/where I grew up, bicycles did NOT get the same treatment as cars, for example, you could NOT get in the right side of the left turning lane & turn with traffic, cycles were treated as pedestrians.. I understand that's not the case in Colorado- which I'm not sure is a good idea (especially since they're not licensed like vehicles), I'm curious if anyone has studied which method of legislating cyclists is safer? It seems to me that Colorado's method leads to a lot of anger on both sides..
http://bicyclecolo.org/articles/colo...-1412-pg45.htm

Note that cyclists violating these rules are subject to a class 2 misdemeanor traffic offense.. same as 'Reckless Driving', '25mph above speed limit', or 'Speed Contest' (racing).. except they can't suspend their driver's license.. punishable by jail term of 10 to 90 days and/or a fine of $10 to $300.
report them- that should really get their attention.. and if they keep it up, and keep getting reported, the system should start to see a pattern of repeated offenses, and increase the penalties. (hopefully)

if you're a cyclist, and see another violating the rules, let them know it's not cool, and report them if they continue.. you have to separate yourselves from the douchebags, or you may be included with them (guilt by association)

[Mtn.man]

I've been on both sides of this on and have an equal disdain for two wheel and four wheel assholes.

The "keyboard tough guy" factor is high today.

Guaranteeeeeedddddd MY key board can kick your keyboards ASSS