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Dec 19, 2008 6:45 pm US/Central
Bicyclists Try To Stay Safe In Winter Conditions
(WCCO)
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As more people bike, more cyclists chose to hit the road all winter, even in the worst weather.
CBS
Minnesotans have had their share of miserable commutes this week. Growing snow banks and icy streets are tricky for anyone, especially those who are riding out winter on two wheels.
In Minneapolis alone, 4,800 people bike to work each day.
It's often tough enough on a good weather day for drivers and bikers to share the road. Snow and ice only makes matters worse.
"It makes it almost impossible, it makes it really dangerous 'cause you just have to have the debris, being snow, toss you and then you're either in traffic or you're into a parked car," said One on One Studios Bike Shop Owner Gene Oberpriller.
As more people bike, more cyclists chose to hit the road all winter, even in the worst weather.
"I don't think they should be on the street myself," said cab driver Jim Reed.
Those who navigate the snow and ice on two wheels admit its often hard to get through.
"It gets tough, because they plow directly into the bike lanes, which kind of leaves us with no where to go because that'll end up icing over and being nearly impossible to ride on," said Blazing Saddles bike courier Andy Larson.
"Our area of operation, lane of transportation, is narrowed because of the winter," said Oberpiller.
That pushes bikes and motorists even closer together.
"I don't want to hit one," said Reed.
"Motorists get really angry at us when have to try to just claim a little of space in the road," said Larson.
"You can take up to a whole lane if conditions don't allow you to ride as far right as possible. So if it's snowing, you can take the whole lane," said Oberpriller.
Still, even the toughest bikers have their limits.
"I worked once in freezing rain and fell four times and I swore I'd never do it again," said Larson.
By law, bikers are not required to wear a helmet. Also, drivers do have to give bikers three feet of room on the road.
(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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