The city of Lakewood wants to expand bike safety, with the help of educational courses and green street markings.
It can be confusing and quite terrifying when you're driving down the street and you see a bicyclist on the road ahead of you. How much room should you give the bicyclist as you're passing? What about crossing over a double yellow when passing someone on a bike? Is it illegal or legal? What are the rules and regulations when it comes to bike safety? Well, if you're like me and you've got tons of questions, then the Lakewood Bicycle Advisory Team may be able to help. The founder, Gary Harty, created the program to promote "safe, efficient, and equitable transportation for all citizens in and through Lakewood, CO." His goal is to bring a Bicycle Friendly Driver course to recreation centers around Lakewood. Harty first took a class in Fort Collins and became certified as an instructor, and now he's trying to bring what he learned to Lakewood. Participants take a 14-question test and if they pass, they'll receive a certificate saying they are now a "bicycle friendly driver." Kit Newland, manager of Lakewood community resources, took one of Harty's classes at a Lakewood Bicycle Advisory Team meeting, and she told The Denver Post, "This is a really important component to making Lakewood a city that is safer for both motorists and cyclists ... I like the idea of focusing on the motorists and focusing on what the rules are." The largest portion of the class is built around conversation, specifically between drivers and cyclists. It gives drivers the chance to hear from cyclists and to learn what the cyclists are thinking when they're on the road and the reasoning behind why they do what they do. Lakewood Bicycle Advisory Team meetings are held at 6:30 p.m. on the third Thursday of every month at the Civic Center (Public Works Conference Room). You can email Gary Harty if you have any questions.
In addition to the educational courses, Lakewood is taking bike safety one step further and has implemented green bike boxes on the streets. These markings alert drivers that cars are not allowed in the area, making the lane safer for bicyclists.
Check out a video posted by the Lakewood Bicycle Advisory Team on the bike lane markings:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WBjuh75Muek
Please remember to stay safe out there, Lakewood!
Share your thoughts with us on bike safety, and whether or not you've taken a Bicycle Friendly Driver course.
