Having a home off U.S. Highway 93, I have seen my fair share of cyclists. And though I’m all for “sharing the road,” I have found myself feeling anxiety whenever I see one or more bike travelers out in front of me. A couple of weeks back I was driving the speed limit of. and approaching both a bend and a hill when I saw two cyclists side-by-side up ahead. Current Montana law says I am to treat these cyclists the same way I would a slow moving vehicle such as a farm tractor. This means I am not allowed to swerve around any cyclist in a no-passing zone even if there is no oncoming traffic. Knowing this, I slowed down to less than 20 m.p.h. As I watched the vehicles behind me stack up, the two cyclists ahead glanced back to give me an exasperated look, and the driver closest to my rear got tired of waiting then illegally passed.
I remained stuck behind the cyclists for another mile and a half (ugh!). Later, I did an internet search and learned that as of earlier this year there was a bill on this issue waiting to be passed. Please join me in supporting this proposal of allowing vehicles to legally pass cyclists in a no-passing zone whenever it is deemed safe to do. I believe this is a much more safe (and legal) alternative for all parties involved.
Michelle Skaletski-Boyd
Olney