Last week a convertible blue PT Cruiser with several youths inside did multiple “drive-bys” while my wife was riding her bike near the Airport. On the last pass, a bottle of sunscreen was thrown at her. As they say, that kind of behavior can take an eye out, especially when it’s thrown from a car speeding by within inches.
These kids were lucky they weren’t caught because drivers in Colorado are now required to give cyclists a wide berth. A new bicycle safety law went into effect last week. The law requires drivers to give cyclists at least 3 feet of space when passing or risk a $110 ticket. Additionally, the law makes it a misdemeanor to throw trash or debris at a cyclist.
The Colorado Legislature passed the bill earlier this year, despite objections from some in law enforcement that the space requirement would be hard to enforce. That said, one would hope that our boys in blue would do a little more than simply write a ticket when a bicyclist is being hassled by a car.
Then, just a few days later, and onslaught of profanity was hurled from the same (speeding) car in front of Safeway as my eleven year old was waiting to cross at the cross-walk. Finally, the same car was spotted hitting highway speeds on G street shortly thereafter.
Police said they thought the car was owned by kids who were visiting. But, if you have any information, please send me a note.
Hopefully the authorities who opposed the law will understand that even a $110 fine just wouldn’t cut it if either my wife or son were killed by car while they were enjoying a lovely bike ride.
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