On Monday, Gov. Bill Ritter signed the Bicycle Safety Bill, Senate Bill 148, at a ceremony in Colorado Springs. In his remarks, Gov. Ritter said, “One of the great things about Colorado is that so many people love to bike.” The new law will take effect Aug. 5.
Senate bill sponsor Greg Brophy sent his praises for bill from his home in Wray. “The new law makes it legal for cyclists and motorists to do what they intuitively know is the safest action,” he said. Among many safety provisions, the bill requires a minimum 3-foot passing distance by motor vehicles, reinforces bicyclists’ right to be on the road, clarifies the side-by-side rule, and prohibits throwing objects at bicyclists.
House bill sponsor Michael Merrifield hosted the bill signing in his district and was joined by Bicycle Colorado’s Dan Grunig and many area bicyclists as the Governor added his signature. As his pen went to the paper, a cheer and applause sweep through the audience.
