An Open Letter To Missoula Winter Bicycle Riders

Dear Winter Bike Riders in Missoula,

There are a lot of you out there trying to navigate Missoula's snowy streets with cars passing by dangerously close. Just trying to get to your destination. After a big snowfall the designated bike lanes are the first to fill up and are the last to eventually get cleared. Yet, despite the cold and the wind, you persevere.

I consider myself very lucky that I have a fairly dependable vehicle that gets me from point A to point B in relative safety and warmth. I don't have to rely on a bicycle for my main method of transportation. I am very lucky.

⬇️Montana House Bill 124 Could Change Bicycle Laws⬇️

Not everyone has the luxury of having a dependable vehicle. Not everyone can rely on the Mountain Line bus system for their transportation needs. For some people, like myself, the bus doesn't travel at times when I would need it for my job. That isn't the fault of the bus line, it may be the situation for a lot of people.

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Seeing bike riders trying to navigate our snowy streets and traffic, I can't imagine what it will look like if the state decides to make it illegal to travel with traffic while on a bicycle. Especially in the winter.

Read More: National Spotlight on Montana: House Bill 124 and the Future of Cycling Safety

There was a time when you rarely saw bicycles on the road in the middle of a Missoula winter. Those days may be behind us. More people are relying on bicycles for transportation. We all need to share the roads and keep each other safe. Drivers need to keep their eyes open for bicyclists at all times. Bicyclists please obey traffic laws. Even though it is cold and you need to wear a beanie, you may want to add a helmet. The chances of falling increase a lot on slippery roads. Be safe out there.

Sincerely,

Chris Wolfe