Tour Of The Gila Road Closures
The New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) will be assisting the staff from the Tour of Gila, and the offices of Public Safety with the Gila Bike Race scheduled for April 28 ? May 2, 2010. The NMDOT would like to inform motorists that there will be closures set for this event.
The closures will be as follows:
Thursday, April 29, 2010 on NM-15 from the ?Y? in Pinos Altos to the intersection of NM-15 and NM-35, which will start at 7:30 an to 12:30 pm. This will be in both directions. Sunday, May 2, 2010 on NM-15 from the intersection of NM-15 and NM-35 to the ?Y? in Pinos Altos from 9:00 am to 1:30 pm. This will be in both directions.
Law enforcement will be stationed on NM-90, US-180, NM-152, NM-15 and NM-35 to secure the safety of the bicyclists, spectators, and motorists.
Commissioner John Hummer of the NMDOT said ?this event is expending every year and we encourage everyone to be respectfully and courteous to everyone during this event. Silver City will be expecting a large volume of visitors, so please avoid these closures to make this event safe and successful for everyone involved.?
Frank Guzman , District One Engineer for the NMDOT would like to share these safety tips for drivers this week during the race.
Rules for Motorists
Driving on roads requires care whether you are driving a car or a bicycle. Motorists must respect the rights of other road users including bicyclists. Do your part by being a safe and courteous driver. The following are tips to help drivers Share the Road with bicyclists:
Allow three feet of passing space between the right side of your vehicle and a bicyclist just as you would with a slow-moving vehicle. Maintain this distance even if there are designated bike lanes.
Do not pass bicyclists if you will be making a right turn immediately afterward. Always assume bicyclists are traveling through the intersection. Before opening your car door, look for bicyclists who may be approaching.
Do not pass bicyclists if oncoming traffic is near. Wait as you would with any slow moving vehicle. Reduce your speed when passing bicyclists, especially if the roadway is narrow.
Don?t blast your horn when approaching bicyclists ? you could startle them and cause an accident.
Give bicyclists adequate space to maneuver. Recognize situations and obstacles which may be hazardous to cyclists, such as potholes, debris, and drain grates.
The NMDOT will be posting updates on www.nmroads.com or you can call our automated system at 511 or 1800-432-4269. Information regarding the race can be obtained through the following link http://www.tourofthegila.com/.
