Summit County has great bike / rec paths throughout the county which extend from Breckenridge, Frisco, Dillon, Keystone and over Vail Pass to Vail and Avon. A biker can rack up many miles of safe riding around here which is a good example of what can happen with the right planning.
Steamboat needs to build more bike paths and bike lanes to keep bikers safe. As a community, we are way behind in that area compared to other ski area communities. Also, we need to educate drivers of the proper way to mind cyclists on the road. Many people are driving around town with one hand on the wheel and the other hand on their cell phones or minding their children in the backseat. They need to keep their eyes open and focus on the road and remember their primary responsibility. Routt County motorists also need to remember to use turn signals. All these actions would help to make the roads of Routt County safer for cyclists.
what about if that cyclist is already a tax paying license holding motorist? (as are most cyclists). Wouldn't you rather encourage them to ride instead of drive, instead of presenting another barrier to cross?
I have owned a second home in Steamboat for years and have found that I use it more in summer than winter. I am seriously considering moving to Vail because of the superior biking environment. I hope Routt County improves biking safety so that I don't have to choose between a town that I love and the safety of myself and my family.
The newspaper is a great way to educate drivers about the Colorado law as pertaining to right of way of pedestrians and bicycles, especially to YIELD for bikes and pedestrians at crosswalks. A lot of drivers think that the pedestrian or biker must instead yield for them.
Drivers should remember that the only work they are doing is pushing on the gas pedal or brake.
Yes, support it by building more/longer bike paths. (i.e. Steamboat to Columbine next to CR 129) These paths could be dual purpose ...bike/walk/run/skate in the summer, and groom it in the winter (from Clark North) for snowmobile (30-mph Max speed limit) and XC ski use.
sbvor has a great idea ...fund it with lodging tax money. Also the County could have a toll both on CR129 near the Steamboat Airport, free for residents and employees (electronic pass) of North Routt, everyone else pitch in a dollar or two of quarters, and the gate opens. The proceeds from the toll could be used for both improving CR129, making it wider, and/or building the "path".
Summit County can do it. why can't we???
As both a Motorist and a Cyclist, I feel there are non-courteous drivers/riders using CR129. Motorist, give the Cyclist some room and be patient. Cyclist, don't ride two/three abreast where the road is narrow or on blind corners, it's Ok if one or two can be on the shoulder (other side of the white line), but when you block traffic you're causing problems!!!
I strongly agree with the expansion of the trails in Routt County. I also suggest bike racks down town, being that the only bike racks I have seen are in front of the bike shops on 5th and on the corner of 11th and Yampa. If we are to be a biking community, where is all the support.
Last year I put a total of 100 miles on my old car, I prefer my bike as my transportation. I have tried riding 129 and 131 but it is such a risk. I have almost given up on road riding as recreation entirely and just stick to commuting.
btw: KINGSRIDE-- I think Nfish just meant they were going to buy a third house in vail.
Consider the Ingalls family, who's daughter is a state champion level cyclist and was involved in a serious accident a couple of days ago on 129. A girl in the prime of her life, experienced and skillful on a bike and even she was caught out by the challenging shoulder conditions on 129 that made her skid into traffic. It is just not safe out there!
Let's hope that this is enough of a scare for the funding to be put in place for road improvements in the county.
Comments
tomclancy 5 years, 11 months ago
Summit County has great bike / rec paths throughout the county which extend from Breckenridge, Frisco, Dillon, Keystone and over Vail Pass to Vail and Avon. A biker can rack up many miles of safe riding around here which is a good example of what can happen with the right planning.
Susie Gruben 5 years, 11 months ago
Steamboat needs to build more bike paths and bike lanes to keep bikers safe. As a community, we are way behind in that area compared to other ski area communities. Also, we need to educate drivers of the proper way to mind cyclists on the road. Many people are driving around town with one hand on the wheel and the other hand on their cell phones or minding their children in the backseat. They need to keep their eyes open and focus on the road and remember their primary responsibility. Routt County motorists also need to remember to use turn signals. All these actions would help to make the roads of Routt County safer for cyclists.
jimbob311 5 years, 11 months ago
if they use the public roads they should pay for license and registration
SangriaMama 5 years, 11 months ago
what about if that cyclist is already a tax paying license holding motorist? (as are most cyclists). Wouldn't you rather encourage them to ride instead of drive, instead of presenting another barrier to cross?
NFish 5 years, 11 months ago
I have owned a second home in Steamboat for years and have found that I use it more in summer than winter. I am seriously considering moving to Vail because of the superior biking environment. I hope Routt County improves biking safety so that I don't have to choose between a town that I love and the safety of myself and my family.
Clearsky 5 years, 11 months ago
The newspaper is a great way to educate drivers about the Colorado law as pertaining to right of way of pedestrians and bicycles, especially to YIELD for bikes and pedestrians at crosswalks. A lot of drivers think that the pedestrian or biker must instead yield for them. Drivers should remember that the only work they are doing is pushing on the gas pedal or brake.
Zoomie 5 years, 10 months ago
Yes, support it by building more/longer bike paths. (i.e. Steamboat to Columbine next to CR 129) These paths could be dual purpose ...bike/walk/run/skate in the summer, and groom it in the winter (from Clark North) for snowmobile (30-mph Max speed limit) and XC ski use. sbvor has a great idea ...fund it with lodging tax money. Also the County could have a toll both on CR129 near the Steamboat Airport, free for residents and employees (electronic pass) of North Routt, everyone else pitch in a dollar or two of quarters, and the gate opens. The proceeds from the toll could be used for both improving CR129, making it wider, and/or building the "path". Summit County can do it. why can't we??? As both a Motorist and a Cyclist, I feel there are non-courteous drivers/riders using CR129. Motorist, give the Cyclist some room and be patient. Cyclist, don't ride two/three abreast where the road is narrow or on blind corners, it's Ok if one or two can be on the shoulder (other side of the white line), but when you block traffic you're causing problems!!!
kingsride 5 years, 10 months ago
Have a nice move to vail.
concerned1 5 years, 10 months ago
I strongly agree with the expansion of the trails in Routt County. I also suggest bike racks down town, being that the only bike racks I have seen are in front of the bike shops on 5th and on the corner of 11th and Yampa. If we are to be a biking community, where is all the support.
bartender 5 years, 10 months ago
Last year I put a total of 100 miles on my old car, I prefer my bike as my transportation. I have tried riding 129 and 131 but it is such a risk. I have almost given up on road riding as recreation entirely and just stick to commuting.
btw: KINGSRIDE-- I think Nfish just meant they were going to buy a third house in vail.
SangriaMama 5 years, 10 months ago
Consider the Ingalls family, who's daughter is a state champion level cyclist and was involved in a serious accident a couple of days ago on 129. A girl in the prime of her life, experienced and skillful on a bike and even she was caught out by the challenging shoulder conditions on 129 that made her skid into traffic. It is just not safe out there!
Let's hope that this is enough of a scare for the funding to be put in place for road improvements in the county.
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