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Biker, pedestrian road deaths up 60 percent in 2012

Caddie Nath
cnath@summitdaily.com

SPT River Ride2 PU 7-23

Last year was a deadly one for bikers and pedestrians on Colorado roads, as the number of fatalities, which has been on the rise since 2002, spiked more than 60 percent from 2011 to 2012.

Cyclist fatalities, which have climbed 44 percent in the last 10 years, increased 63 percent in that one year time frame alone in Colorado. Pedestrian deaths rose 66 percent between 2011 and 2012.

The growing problem prompted the Colorado Department of Transportation to launch the, “Share the Road, Friend” campaign, a statewide public outreach effort that will encourage all road users to be cautious of one another on Colorado’s streets and highways.



“Warmer weather means an increased number of users on Colorado roadways,” CDOT bicycle, pedestrian and byways section manager Betsy Jacobsen stated in a release on the new campaign. “Share the Road reminds everyone to be courteous on the road, obey the rules and together help prevent crashes.”

The campaign will include a grassroots outreach effort across the state and focused advertisements, in print, on billboards and on the radio in Denver and Pueblo, two of the most dangerous areas for bicyclists and pedestrians.



CDOT is intentionally avoiding singling out drivers, putting the onus instead on all road users to be responsible. After working with the public and leaders across the state on the issue, transportation officials said they are aware that road use conversations can spark conflicts between users.

“We understand that the issue of who uses the road can be polarizing and often pins one mode against another,” Jacobsen stated. “Bringing different road users together has brought greater understanding that no single mode owns the road. This campaign is an extension of that effort and encourages all users to be mindful of others.”

The most recent pedestrian fatality on the road in Summit County was in March of 2012.


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