Safe Transportation in Fort Collins
Begins with Bicycling and Driving
Respectfully
It’s that time of year again. CSU students are back to school and the road
and bike ways are bustling with activity.
Every year, 5200 new students move to Fort Collins to begin their
college career. In all, some 23,500
students start back to CSU and with these students comes more cars and more
bicycles.
With the sudden increase in
people bicycling and driving in Fort Collins, it’s imperative that we practice
mutual respect, patience, and courtesy for all modes of travel including,
bicycling, walking, skateboarding, wheelchairs, and driving. As Fort Collins continues to grow as a
bicycle and pedestrian friendly community, so does the need to educate people
on the rules of the road so that we can remain safe in this fast moving
society. Many unfortunate accidents and
mind rattling close calls can be avoided if we all understand and respect the
basics. Here’s the short list:
- Ride
Right: When riding a bicycle, ride on the right
hand side of the road and with the flow of traffic and don’t ride the
wrong way down a one way street.
- Right
Hook: The Right Hook is the #1
accident between motorists and bicyclists.
It is illegal for motorists to make a right hand turn into the path
of a bicyclist.
- The
Blinder: Diagonal parking
downtown and around campus poses a potential threat to bicyclists. Motorists, please check twice before
backing up, Bicyclists, be aware of cars backing out.
- Don’t
Blow It: Bicyclists are required
to make complete stops at stop signs and traffic lights. Bicycling in the crosswalk is illegal,
stick to the streets.
- Don’t
Be That Guy: Bicycling on the sidewalks in Old Town
is illegal. Sidewalks in Old Town
are for pedestrians only. Please
walk your bike in the dismount zone. Offenders will receive a $50 ticket
for the first offense. Please visit
http://fcgov.com/bicycling/pdf/map-downtown.pdf
for map of dismount zone and recommended routes through downtown.
- Be
Seen: Ride your bicycle at night and with the
flow of traffic. It will save you
the cost of a ticket and quite possible your life.
- Don’t
Bike or Drive Drunk: DUI’s and
BUI’s are expensive and could put you or someone else in a world of
hurt. When consuming libations,
know your limit, and walk or cab it home.
Be a friend to those who can’t make the right decision.
- Share
the Road: Bicyclists and motorists need to provide
adequate space to accommodate all modes of traffic. Practice mutual respect, patience, and
courtesy.
The City’s Coexist Education Campaign has images
relating to some of the above messages, to download copies of these images,
please visit: http://fcgov.com/bicycling/coexist.php
or contact DK@fcgov.com for larger
files.
