While close calls may unnerve some of those who commute by bicycle or ride recreationally on Boulder County’s busy streets, a recent rash of tragedy — three cyclist deaths since May 20, including the hit-and-run of Bill Davis a week ago — has served as a reminder of just how critical responsible road-sharing is to cyclists pedaling among cars that, in the wrong hands, can be killing machines.
Boulder has established an international reputation for its willingness to invest in bike-friendly culture and infrastructure. About 10 percent of the city’s population bikes to work — a recent study had only Davis, Calif., ahead — on more than 300 miles of dedicated bikeways and through 80 bike underpasses.
The city’s streets can and should be safer for users on various modes, Boulder officials agree. And while self-driving cars may someday eliminate human error on public roads, for now, the best Boulder can hope for incremental progress.
