Boulder City Council To Consider Bike Speed Limits Tuesday

Bikers in Boulder, Colorado, may be feeling a little road rage after Tuesday's meeting when the City Council considers implementing a speed limit for cyclists. The proposed speed limit is 8 miles per hour, complete with speed checks conducted by police and doubled speeding fines for construction zones; though it would only apply in crosswalks.

Bill Cowern, Boulder's transportation operations engineer, told the Daily Camera that the law's language would also require all crosswalk users to push the flashing lights button where available to warn vehicles of their crossing. The fine amounts would have to be determined later by a municipal court.

"If the pedestrian is not pushing that button, they're not offering the driver the opportunity to see them," Cowern said. He also said that of the city's 15 flashing crosswalk sites, most of the accidents involved bicycles.

Yet if Boulder enacts a cycling speeding limit, even if only in specific areas, it could promote confusion for cyclists traveling through the city, Bicycle Colorado Executive Director Dan Grunig told CBS4 News.

"The biking community wants to have consistent laws around the state," Grunig said.

Tuesday is just a first reading of the proposal, a final vote and public discussion would be scheduled later.

Quick Poll

Should Boulder bicyclists have to abide by a speeding limit in crosswalks?

Yes--it's only in crosswalks and they ought to slow down there anyway.

No way--in Boulder the bike is the way of life, and the theme song is "Can't touch this".

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Comments

[TazoWolf]

02:34 PM on 11/29/2011

Real cyclists use the road anyway, following regular traffic laws. I didn't think we were supposed to use crosswalks- those are for pedestrians. We're far more visible to turning cars if we're in the lane- safer.

[dbrett480]

06:35 PM on 11/26/2011

Instead of a speeding limit, why don't the police just issue cites for reckless driving for the bicyclists that endanger pedestrians?

[bradkevans]

05:39 PM on 11/21/2011

this photo is completely stupid, what does it have to do with riding in Boulder?

[Teledude]

04:59 PM on 11/21/2011

Seriously, there doesn't need to be a NEW law. This is asking cyclists to stay under 8 mph while riding through cross-walks. Common sense can cure this. If cars don't have time to stop for you, you're going to fast. If there's a chance you might get hit..you're going too fast. If there are pedestrians anywhere near you and you are going to be using the crosswalk...slow down. Simple common sense can solve this. Also, cars...if you KNOW there is a crosswalk coming up and you see people/bikes anywhere near there...assume they will cross and SLOW DOWN. There's no reason everyone can't just take another few seconds so everyone can be safe and go on their way. This isn't rocket science folks!
-This coming from a liberal, Boulder, cyclist

[CaroleK1970]

10:58 PM on 11/16/2011

next lets legislate how fast women with strollers should walk, and then seniors with walkers. then lets legislate how far apart pedestrians should be so they don't bump into each other and call it freedom

[drwds]

07:32 PM on 11/15/2011

Regardless of who is right or wrong, a driver willing to give up 2 seconds of his time can save a cyclists life. Maybe the automobiles should be the ones going 8 mph thru crosswalks.

[ScratchHisSelf]

06:06 PM on 11/15/2011

Okay... I'm going to go out on a limb here. I notice some cyclists admit that they hit a pedestrian. I am going to guess that, since that first incident, you have not hit another pedestrian in similar circumstances. Now... do you think that's because you have managed to teach the pedestrians on your route to be more aware?... Or, is it because you, yourself, learned something from the experience... and you modified your cycling routine accordingly? Now, how hard was that?

[ScratchHisSelf]

05:48 PM on 11/15/2011

As with the "trails" around White Rock Lake in Dallas, the danger posed by mixing pedestrians and bicycles on the same right-of-way is a (another) disaster waiting to happen. Walkers want to stroll and look and flit about. Many times, cyclists are out for a workout... speed is necessary. Speed is also exhilirating. I don't deny the bikers the enjoyment. But, something needs to fundamentally change. Bicyclists are not allowed on public highway lanes, mixing with cars. Why not? Can't we just make the cars slow down so they are not as likely to run over the cyclists? Then, why are pedestrians allowed to walk in bike traffic? Flipped: Cars can't roar down bike paths, so why are bikes allowed to speed down pedestrian walkways? Separate trails are the only good answer. Trail sharing rules... and times... are needed compromises. Why can't cyclists see this? If your kinetic energy leads to a death, are you going to be able to say, "Well, it was their own fault.", and live with it? Geez, I would hope not. If you have to ride in a place not dedicated to cyclists.. where there are pedestrians... rules or no rules, you are going to have to slow down and use other precautions so you don't run them over. You can't fight it. That is senseless.

[Customex]

05:09 PM on 11/15/2011

Bicycles don't contribute anywhere near enough in tax revenue for the amount of road space they use. Bicycles need to be taxed commensurately for any rights to the roadway they desire. Pedestrians always have the right of way, but that doesn't mean they shouldn't watch out for cars or bikes. Bicyclists should be required to carry liability insurance for any damage or injuries they cause.

[sobrien]

05:22 PM on 11/15/2011

But cyclists pay other state and sales taxes that go into the coffers. Also, by being more green, they do not accrue the externalized costs of Mid-East wars and pollution abatement.

The insurance point seems valid, but I believe most homeowner's or automotive policies do cover that.

[Customex]

07:17 PM on 11/15/2011

Roads are expensive to build and maintain. Most revenue for roads comes from the so called evil fossil fuel road tax and registration fees. If you're thinkin' you're so green, try riding in the dirt and stay off what you don't pay for. Bikes use way more than they pay for. There is nothing green about that. I've got a bike. I like bikes. I like to ride a lot. I've been riding longer than most cyclists have been alive. I've been hit twice by cars. Neither time was my fault. But I also know the arithmetic about what it costs and where the money comes from. Most cyclists don't have a clue about the resources they take for granted. The externalized costs divided amongst the millions of users barely amounts to pennies and wouldn't build enough road for your bike to sit on standing still.

[drwds]

10:15 PM on 11/15/2011

Most of us drive cars too.

[Customex]

11:40 PM on 11/15/2011

Then you must understand that some amount of the available funds for roads are being shared with bikes. Not saying it's right or wrong, just have to be aware there are trade offs. Bikes, for their weight don't cause much road wear, but they need space to be safe for all and that takes more money than there currently is. There are costs more than most realize.

[nsheats]

04:53 PM on 11/15/2011

Ban Bicycles...period.

[drwds]

10:16 PM on 11/15/2011

Ban autos and we will not be dependent on foreign oil, our health would be better, and you would not be so fat.

[CaroleK1970]

11:00 PM on 11/16/2011

embrace laziness

[smeeg]

04:14 PM on 11/15/2011

I live in Colorado and I am so tired of the bicyclists that think they own the road. they ride side by side out in the middle of the street with no regards to the cars driving and blow thru stop signs expecting the cars to see them as they approach (and do not stop at) the intersection but get all pissy when someone honks at them for riding foolishly. they need to adhere to the laws motorists do and get ticketed when breaking them. I hope Boulder passes that law and many others that forces them to be responsible!!

[Boobuzuela]

04:34 PM on 11/15/2011

We do own the road. And stop signs are merely suggestions. You can't beat us so you might as well join us, motor-head.

[Elwoodlr]

05:41 PM on 11/15/2011

Now while riding your bike and someone in a car runs over you because the car blew though a stop sign are you saying "And stop signs are merely suggestion­s" applys to the car also lawas are laws
Just saying

[ScratchHisSelf]

06:08 PM on 11/15/2011

Got a picture?

[simzillyjp]

04:54 PM on 11/15/2011

Smeg......sorry....it's the car Owner who THINK they own the road,,,,,,Car drivers (most anyway) DO not follow a ton of laws......Like yeilding to pedestrians. You are one of the car drivers.

[pineway259]

03:46 PM on 11/15/2011

What a waste of the taxpayer's dollars in Boulder. Sounds like this would be something that would be passed in SanFrancisco.

[ScratchHisSelf]

06:12 PM on 11/15/2011

Yes, it is a waste... because only cyclists can control the danger... and many of them apparently do not want to, as it limits their short-term satisfaction... simply for the purpose of saving the life of a stupid, low-life pedestrian. How lame can government get?

[Cosatjockomo]

03:35 PM on 11/15/2011

It's easier to see the bikers when you put your cell phones down and pay attention to where you're pointing your gas guzzling one ton destroyer of the environment.

[fivepetal]

02:51 PM on 11/15/2011

I'm a cyclist who has hit a pedestrian in a crosswalk. I wasn't going too fast & she stepped into the street before the light changed because she didn't see any cars so thought it was clear. Pedestrians have the right of way no matter what! Seems like an an aggressive public service campaign to educate/remind would be a better & more cost effective move by Boulder or any other municipality. TV & Visual Aids for teachers would go a long way. Also maybe a section in DMV materials would be good.

[ScratchHisSelf]

05:59 PM on 11/15/2011

I have never hit a pedestrian with my car. You know why?... Because, when there are pedestrians about... say, in a parking lot... I am very careful not to exceed a speed where I can stop if some child darts from behind a car. You should do the same. In fact, I bet you do... now.

[mindbender48]

02:40 PM on 11/15/2011

What is Boulder going to do creat another dept so some big shot family or friend can run it? Bike are not moterized vehicles so that leaves out the dept of MOTOR vehicles.

[yovinny100]

03:32 PM on 11/15/2011

Depends on how the state defines bicycles. Some consider them pedestrians and some consider them vehicles, with the same responsibilities as cars. Some consider them both- if you're riding on the sidewalk, you're a pedestrian. If you're riding on the roadway, you're a vehicle.

Apparently, in some states, bicycle tickets also count against your driver's license, and by extension affect your car insurance. Imagine getting your vehicle insurance cancelled because of a bicycle ticket. It happens.