Colorado - Banned bike routes requires alternate routes

Bill requires alternate route for bikes banned from streets
By Lynn Bartels
The Denver Post
Posted: 02/03/2011 01:00:00 AM MST
http://www.denverpost.com/legislature/ci_17276968

Colorado communities that want to ban bicycling on their streets must
provide a nearby alternate route under a bill that narrowly passed a
House committee Wednesday.

House Bill 1092 grew out of the furor over Black Hawk's decision last year
to prohibit bike riding on nearly every street in town.

"I do feel this is truly an issue that's much, much bigger than one town,"
said Rep. Andy Kerr, D-Lakewood, adding other entities are looking at
similar bike bans.

"That's why it's so important that we address this and make sure the law is
clear on this," he said.

The House Transportation Committee voted 7-6 in favor of the bill, despite
criticism it thwarted local control and was an unfunded mandate. The bill
also requires communities to do a study before instituting a ban.

"We did not feel it is an issue the state needs to mandate to cities and
counties," said Michael Penny, with the Colorado Municipal League.

Black Hawk officials cited safety issues when the prohibition was enacted
in January 2010. The roads in Black Hawk are narrow and do not have
shoulders, and often are crammed with tour buses and delivery trucks
connected to casinos, they said.

Corey Hoffman, city attorney for Black Hawk, told the committee that the
city strongly opposes the bill.

"What would happen when a large bus swerves to avoid a bicycle and is
forced into oncoming traffic coming from the opposite direction?" he said.
"The city of Black Hawk is unwilling to find out."

Dan Grunig, executive director of Bicycle Colorado, supported the bill,
saying: "It just makes sure we can travel across the state by bicycle."

Because of the Black Hawk ban, cyclists have to walk their bikes through
the town. Another option is riding over Berthoud Pass, but that excludes
most of the Peak to Peak Scenic Byway.