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License plates on local bicycles might be GR84US

License plates on the Leland House-Rochester Hotel cruisers show how spiffy every bike could look if only the state of Colorado could somehow require all cyclists to buy license plates for their “vehicles.”

Did I miss the news about bicycles being exempted rules of the road? When I was learning to drive, we were all told that bikes were vehicles, and riders were supposed to stop at stop signs, signal when turning and not obstructing other road users. So when did the laws change? – In the Bike Box

Colorado may have legalized pot, but it didn’t decriminalize bad biker behavior. Rest assured, the law is still in effect.

Title 42 of the Colorado Revised Statues minces no words: “Every person riding a bicycle or electrical assisted bicycle shall have all of the rights and duties applicable to the driver of any other vehicle ... (and) said riders shall comply with the rules set forth.”

Bikes have a special status. But not in an entitled way. There are additional requirements unique to manual-modal transportation.

The law – being that it’s “The Law” – takes 2,600 words to explain that riders must share the road, stay to the right and have lights and reflectors when pedaling at night.

Oh, and you must ride single-file on any “laned roadway.” Did everyone catch that? Apparently not.

And you smug drivers? Wipe that grin off your face. You’re just as bad.

“The driver of a motor vehicle overtaking a bicyclist proceeding in the same direction shall allow the bicyclist at least a three-foot separation between the right side of the driver’s vehicle, including all mirrors or other projections, and the left side of the bicyclist at all times,” the law reads.

Three feet of leeway “including mirrors.” Did everyone catch that? Apparently not.

Anyway, if bikes are vehicles, shouldn’t they have DMV-issued license plates? A number of people have asked Action Line to bring this up.

Bike license plates are not without precedence. Take a stroll past the Leland House-Rochester Hotel on East Second Avenue. A fleet of cruisers feature personalized placards: “TRIGGER,” “DUKE,” “SILVER” and other names.

Bike license plates are really a safety issue. After all, if a cyclist encounters an aggressive driver, the cyclist can dial *CSP (*277) and report the license plate of the culprit.

But what if a driver encounters bellicose bikers?

“Uh, hello, dispatch? I need to report a pack of hostile cyclists on County Road 250.”

“Please describe the offenders,” the dispatcher replies.

“Well, they have black stretch-fabric shorts, colorful jerseys plastered with logos, helmets and blade sunglasses. Kinda skinny. And shaved legs.”

In other words, half the population of Durango.

State-issued bike license plates of would not only bring in revenue, but think of the possibilities for personalization.

Local riders could pay extra for plates that express their worldview in seven digits or less. For example, TRUXSUK. Or IH8CARS.

No doubt these license plates would be popular local choices: SCOFLAW, RYDNPAK, MYROAD or NVR-YLD.

On second thought, maybe Durango’s personalized bike plates could be: SHAR-IT, UGOFRST, COEXIST, RSPCT4U or BIKSAFE.

HHH

Last week’s column on the “Ark of Hysteria” sculpture, a.k.a. Rocks On A Stick, rocks the Mea Culpa Mailbag.

Our good friend John opines, “If you look at (the piece) as symbolizing the gateway to the Dog Park, it makes perfect sense! The art’s resemblance is likely to cause dog owners to have a greater revulsion to their dogs’ own original artworks and assure that they will not be put on public display on streets and trails.”

Eric Greene has an idea to “finish” the sculpture: Have a local artist build a steel trestle from point to point. “Weld some model railroad track onto that trestle. A silhouette outline of an engine with caboose welded onto that track would be a perfect symbol.”

Larry Ruiz suggests the arc represents the horns of a Pleistocene Bison.

And lastly, loyal readers Jean Owens and Dave Schranck both see a remarkable resemblance to The Dark Aster, the evil “necrocraft” spaceship in the movie “Guardians of the Galaxy,” now playing at the Durango Stadium 9 theater.

Email questions to actionline@durangoherald.com or mail them to Action Line, The Durango Herald, 1275 Main Ave., Durango, CO 81301. You can request anonymity if your bike is worth more than your car.



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