Cycling injuries and fatalities are “entirely preventable,” according to a new safety campaign from CDOT.
“Most of us switch roles every day — we drive to a trailhead or park, then hop on a bike or take a walk. We are all drivers, bicyclists or pedestrians at some point,” Darrell Lingk with CDOT said in a statement. “This campaign is about recognizing that shared experience and making choices that keep all road users safe, no matter how they move through the world.”
CDOT launches its new cycling safety and awareness campaign with grim numbers:
- 14 cycling deaths in 2024
- 224 serious cycling injuries in 2024
- 48% of cycling fatalities happen in the summer (May-Sept)
In Colorado and across the nation most cyclists are killed when drivers don’t yield to bikes, either at crossings or on shoulders.
Earlier this month a cyclist was killed during a gravel race in Grand County when he collided with a truck at a highway intersection.
“All bicyclists deserve a safe ride to their destination without fear that it could be their last,” Pete Piccolo, Executive Director of Bicycle Colorado, said in a statement. “We’re proud to partner with CDOT to support this message. By following the laws in place to protect bicyclists, we can make Colorado safe for all road users.”
Several state laws protect cyclists, including the “three foot law,” which means motorists must give cyclists three feet of distance on the road.
In Summit, where thousands of cyclists use the recpath every month, county commissioners are interested in a “recpath ranger” position. Recpath rangers would patrol the recpaths to answer questions about local laws for speed and equipment.
Speed limit on the Summit County recpath is 25 miles per hour. Only Class I e-bikes are allowed (no throttle assist). Other motorized bikes, like Surron dirt bikes, are outlawed.