ST GEORGE – A group of 30 road cyclists, making their way through Utah as part of a multi-faceted educational program, “Road Respect: Car & Bike Rules to Live By,” will visit St. George on Monday, June 4, to help raise awareness about car and bicycle safety.
The Road Respect visit in St. George includes an opportunity for local cyclists to ride along with the core cycling group, followed by a “Road Respect Rally” aimed at informing drivers and cyclists about safety on the road. The goal of the program is to increase awareness about the rules of the road pertaining to bicycling and to build respect between the two groups.
The Road Respect events in St. George begin at 5:30 p.m., on Monday, June 4, with a bicycle ride. Local cyclists are invited to meet at Town Square at 5:30 p.m., for a ride-along with the Road Respect core cycling group. The group will then meet up with families and individuals at the Riverside Trail head at 5:45 p.m., to ride on the Virgin River trail to the newly remolded Crosby Family Confluence Park.
The ride will conclude at Crosby Confluence Family Park with a Road Respect Rally starting at 6:00 p.m., featuring a Road Respect Proclamation from Mayor Dan McArthur, youth bike rodeo, bike theme games for youth and adults, bike education and bike event information sponsored by local bicycle shops.
The event is free of charge, and the entire community is invited to attend.
The Road Respect program was developed by the Utah Department of Transportation and the Utah Department of Public Safety in response to concerns from both bicyclists and drivers about safety and the behaviors of each group on the road. It features the Road Respect Bike Tour with 30 cyclists, law enforcement, public safety, transportation and bicycle advocacy groups biking through the state.
By demonstrating proper cycling behaviors on the road, the Road Respect Tour cyclists serve as positive examples for other cyclists and drivers with the aim of increasing respect among both groups.
The Tour begins in Beaver City on Monday, June 4, at 7:30 a.m. Later that day an official campaign kickoff will take place in St. George. The Road Respect Tour route passes through Cedar City, St. George, Panguitch, Richfield, Moab, Vernal, Park City, Orem, Draper, Salt Lake City, Bountiful, Riverdale, Unitah, Ogden, Harrisville, Brigham City and Logan with ride-alongs and Road Respect Rallies or Stops planned in each location.
To learn more about the Road Respect program, or to find out how you can join in the ride-along or Road Respect Rally in St. George contact Monty Thurber at 627-4060 or visit the Road Respect website.