June 18, 2008
BIKE TO WORK DAY HIGHLIGHTS BIKE MONTH
DENVER – Most areas of the state will be celebrating Bike to Work Day on Wednesday, June 25, when motor vehicles are left at home and commuting to and from work by bicycle is the way of the day.
“Bike to Work Day is both a grassroots and educational effort by the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), along with cities, counties, towns, community organizations and others to stress the advantages of bike commuting,” said Betsy Jacobsen, CDOT’s Bicycling/Pedestrian Coordinator. “In a time of high gas prices, commuting to work makes more sense than ever, both for your health and for your pocketbook.”
The state Legislature declared June Colorado Bike Month several years ago, marking the fourth Wednesday of the month as Bike to Work Day. Boulder was the first to celebrate Bike to Work Day more than 26 years ago. CDOT first started promoting Bike to Work Day in 1992, with only about 200 participants in the Denver-area. In 2007, more than 20,000 left their motor vehicles at home and commuted by bike.
Colorado Springs held its Bike to Work Day on June 11. A record 1000 riders participated this year, about 200 more than in 2007. A bike festival, held on June 8th, had 800 to 1000 participants that included a children’s bike helmet giveaway. All 200 helmets were given away in 90 minutes.
Colorado has approximately 1.5 million active cyclists and, in addition, there are nearly 700,000 bicycling tourists each year. Since the number of bicyclists continues to increase, CDOT wants to remind people to “Share the Road,” a program aimed at increasing awareness among motorists that bicycles have an equal right to use the state’s highways while educating bicyclists that they also are required to ride responsibly. “We’re asking everyone – motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians – to be respectful of everyone’s right to the state’s roadways,” added Jacobsen.
In 2007, 11 bicyclists were killed in bike/motor vehicle accidents in Colorado.
Tips on How to Share the Road
Share the Road Tips for Motorists
TAKE A BRAKE: Reduce speed when encountering bicyclists
3 FEET TO PASS: For safe passing, leave at least three feet between your car and a bicyclist
WAIT A FEW SECONDS: If you don’t have three feet to pass then wait until there is enough room to pass safely
SCAN THEN TURN: Scan for bicyclists before making turns and make sure the road is clear before proceeding
Share the Road Tips for Bicyclists
SIDE-BY-SIDE RULE: Ride no more than two abreast; move to single-file if riding two abreast impedes the flow of motorized traffic
RIDE PREDICTABLY: scan the road, anticipate hazards, and communicate your moves to others
SIGNAL FIRST: use hand signals to alert nearby vehicles to turns or lane changes
BE AN EXAMPLE: Bicyclists have the same rights, rules, and responsibilities as other vehicles on the road
For more information about Colorado Bike Month, Bike to Work Day or additional information about bicycling in Colorado, please visit the following websites: CDOT - www.dot.state.co.us/bikeped/index.htm Bicycle Colorado - www.bicyclecolorado.org Denver Regional Council of Governments - www.drcog.org/btwd2008/ .