Glenwood Canyon Bike Tour and Bike Safety

They pulled off a miracle in Glenwood Canyon. Why can't they create safe bike spaces from Seattle to San Diego?

For years, environmental groups opposed running I-70 through Glenwood Canyon.  In the end, the engineers built pedestals and then hauled in pre-cast concrete road sections in order to reduce environmental damage.

My riding partner doing a field repair

Fortunately, they had the wisdom of including a bike lane while they made the effort to build the road.  If bike lanes had been included in the construction of highways years ago, this would not be an issue.  We might be on the leading edge, instead of the trailing edge, of environmentally friendly transportation.

I am planning on riding the Pacific route this year.  I hope that is as a #beablackburnranger2016.  The bicycle accessories manufacturer, Blackburn Design, sponsors six riders each year.  But in whatever capacity it is, we know the route is not bicycle safe.  The road is narrow in many places and riders complain about the fear of getting hit.

We are bicycle tourists.  We find adventure everywhere we go.  It would be great if there were more safe routes for long distance riders.  We are going to go no matter what, but this is a wonderful way to see the world.