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How drivers can share the road with bicyclists

Cathy TuttleSpecial to the Post Independent

In Colorado, motorists and cyclists share the road. Both have equal rights and responsibilities to obey all traffic laws. All users should show respect and consideration when sharing the road.As a motor vehicle driver, scanning for bicyclists should be a normal part of your driving routine as is scanning for other cars or trucks. Extra care should be taken when exiting alleys and driveways since bicyclists may be using the sidewalk and approaching from your left and right.The Colorado Department of Transportation and the city of Glenwood Springs would like you to consider the following points as you share the road with bicyclists.When passing a bicyclist:Allow at least three feet between your vehicle and the bicycle. Just as the wind produced by a passing tractor-trailer can pull a car off course, so too can a passing car cause a cyclist to swerve out of control.Be patient and wait until it is safe to pass, as you would for any other slow-moving vehicle. Be aware that when a road is too narrow for cars and bikes to ride safely side-by-side, bicyclists should ride in or near the center of the lane to discourage motorists from trying to pass them without enough clearance.If you feel that you must toot your horn in advance of passing, please do it from a friendly distance (several hundred feet), not directly behind. You could startle the cyclist and they might veer into your path, causing an accident.When you are turning right and a bicyclist is preceding straight through the intersection, do not speed ahead of the bicyclist and cut the cyclist off as you are turning. The cyclist may not be able to avoid crashing into the passenger side of your vehicle.For more information on traffic laws and safety procedures, get a copy of the Colorado Driver’s Handbook at any driver’s license office.Construction report for Glenwood SpringsWork will continue this week on replacement of the water main in Highway 6 in West Glenwood between Traver Trail and 135 Road. Crews will be installing fire hydrants and connecting services at various locations in the project area. Construction hours will be from 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Short delays may be expected as flaggers alternately route one-way traffic through the construction area.Eighth Street west of Pitkin Avenue and the south end of School Street will reopen to traffic to serve the new City Hall. Minor construction activities may occur as this project is wrapped up.Reconstruction of the street and sidewalks on North Park Drive from Grand Avenue to Roaring Fork Drive will continue. The new sidewalks are starting to be poured and the paving will soon follow. North Park Drive and Roaring Fork Drive (south of the high school football field) will be open to local traffic Monday through Friday 7 p.m.-7 a.m.; otherwise this portion of North Park Drive and Roaring Fork Drive will be closed. There will be no weekend traffic detours.Construction report for Highway 82Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. upvalley and 7 a.m.-3 p.m. downvalley, traffic will be reduced to one lane in one or both directions at various locations between south Glenwood Springs and Carbondale for scarification operations (heat treating the existing pavement). Only minor delays are expected.Cathy Tuttle is with the transportation team of Kaup/Tuttle, LLC, transportation consultants for the city of Glenwood Springs. For information call 928-6027. Or e-mail to try@ci.glenwood-springs.co.us. This column will appear every Monday to explain how each person in our community can make a difference in our quality of life. Transportation Responsibility & You – one day at a time, one trip at a time!


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