By Alan Snel of LVSportsBiz.com
It’s supposed to be the safe road haven for Las Vegas metro bicyclists — the 15-mile stretch of pavement with a shoulder along State Route 159 from Summerlin through Red Rock Canyon and federal land to State Route 160 on the west side of the Las Vegas valley.
But not only has LVSportsBiz.com reported on several cases of motorists driving their vehicles into bicyclists, now we have another upsetting threat facing bicyclists — people in cars shooting BBs at a bicyclist.
It happened Sunday when bicyclist Miguel Duhamel was struck in the head with a BB gun from someone in a matte black Nissan 300-Z. It happened near the gypsum plant along State Route 159 in the Blue Diamond area a few miles from SR 160.
At one time, SR 159 was just another two-lane state highway in metro Las Vegas.
But the fact the road’s role has morphed over the years as the suburban community of Summerlin grows with more residents and in a western direction and Red Rock becomes a major outdoor playground destination.
SR 159 has become a hard-core recreational corridor with hundreds of bicyclists using the road’s shoulders on weekends and many runners jogging on the same shoulders.
Only a month ago, a motorist hit a bicyclist on the westbound shoulder.
I realize there’s a move to try and build a trail along 159. But without construction in sight, that’s still years away.
And watch out for motorists parking on the 150 road shoulders. That’s always a potential hazard.
If you’re bicycling along this corridor, be vigilant about your safety. Be alert. It’s easy to daydream along this scenic road. But it’s vital to constantly be scanning and monitoring. I use a rear view mirror that clips on my sunglasses. I use it to track traffic coming up on me from behind. Be safe out there.
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