03/04/10

BOISE, Idaho (AP) _ Olympic cycling champion Kristin Armstrong
is encouraging Idaho lawmakers to pass new safety laws she says
will help curtail harassment of bicyclists across the state.

The Boise resident told the Senate Transportation Committee
Thursday that motorists who drive too close to bikers or who cut
them off are a problem on Idaho roads.

Armstrong, who won a gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics,
said she's had firecrackers thrown at her while biking. She learns
about bikers being harassed at least once a week.

The bicyclist spoke in favor of a measure that would penalize
motorists who harass bikers or drive within three feet of a
cyclist.

Boise Democrat Sen. Elliot Werk, the bill's sponsor, says it was
prompted by three bicyclist deaths in Boise last year and another
in Twin Falls.


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