PRESS RELEASE
June 3, 2003

LOCAL BICYCLE CLUB REQUESTING
PAVED SHOULDER ON EAST MAIN STREET

FARMINGTON, NEW MEXICO: Velo de Animas, a bicycle club organized to promote bicycling and bicycle safety in San Juan County, has submitted a written request to the State Highway and Transportation Department for a paved shoulder on State Highway 516 (East Main Street) between Pinon Hills Boulevard and Old Aztec Highway in Farmington. According to Keith Ashmore, president of Velo de Animas, there currently is no paved shoulder or bicycle lane in that area, so cyclists and motorists must share the right-hand lane of traffic. “Ordinarily, sharing the road isn’t a major safety problem,” Ashmore said, “but East Main is particularly hazardous because it is heavily trafficked by motorists, many of whom are driving heavy and sometimes oversized oil and gas servicing trucks, and the speed limit increases to 55 miles per hour.” He said cyclists frequently use that road because it is one of the only ways to access less traveled county roads north, south, and east of Farmington.

The club is also requesting that the state install “Share the Road” warning signs in the area to remind motorists that bicyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as motor vehicles and that motorists should give bicyclists at least five feet of room when passing.

The text of the letter to the state can be viewed on the Velo de Animas website at www.velodeanimas.com. For more information, contact Keith Ashmore at (505) 325-4953.