Editorial: An open letter to cyclists, motorists
We have a request of all who bike, drive and walk on our roads — don't be jerks.
Fort Collins is great for many reasons, depending upon whom you ask, but we can and should be better. Housing isn't affordable for all, families continue to live in poverty and bicyclists are still being killed on our roads.
In June, Steve Studt, 59, was riding his bike on Kechter Road at the Interstate 25 overpass where the road narrows on the outskirts of Fort Collins. Jose Pinon, 69, was driving the dump truck that ran over and killed Studt. Pinon is charged with vehicular homicide and, if convicted, could face up to six years in prison.
Studt was the 10th cyclist to be fatally struck by a vehicle in Larimer County since 2000, Jason Pohl reported. He was also the second cyclist fatally struck in less than month, at that time, and the fifth to have died from crashes involving vehicles since 2013.
Before that, five cyclists died over a span of 13 years. Car-bike fatalities are becoming more common.
Many organizations, including Fort Collins police and city staff, are working to educate motorists and cyclists about rules of the road and how to more safely coexist.
In a growing city, where roughly 150,000 commute in various ways, this is not an easy ask. Especially when it comes to reaching and effectively educating students and newcomers. It's not realistic to think we reach every person.
However, when the Coloradoan publishes a story about a crash involving a bike and vehicle, people in our community are quick to respond in comments on our website and social media platforms. There is clear tension between motorists and cyclists, with each blaming the other for the culture we've created.
On many occasions, we have written stories about misunderstood driving and cycling laws in an attempt to help educate people and move the conversation forward. Not everyone reads those stories or the state laws on biking online.
As motorists, we don't always give cyclists a three-foot berth, and it's not uncommon for some of us to honk or yell or throw things out the window. As bicyclists, we don't always stop at stop signs, speed through intersections without regard and all don't wear the required lights at night.
We know we can't lump all cyclists and motorists together; some share the road just fine. But overall, it feels like there's a general lack of respect and, at times, willful disregard for one another.
Those with FC Bikes' Bicycle Ambassadors Program, police officers and more can and should continue their efforts to promote education and awareness. At the end of the day, however, it comes down to individuals. It is each our personal responsibility.
If you're going out — whether on two wheels or four — leave impatience and frustrations of the day behind. Put your cellphone away, keep your eyes open, obey the law and have some compassion — so no one else has to die.
Otherwise, we'll keep killing each other.
About the Issue
•Motorists, cyclists and pedestrians must take responsibility, learn the rules of the road and watch out for one another.