Should a 2-ton truck and a cyclist be treated the same on the road?

That question divided cyclists who helped draft safety recommendations for bicycle riders in Boise earlier this summer.

The group eventually agreed they shouldn't be treated the same, said Michael Zuzel, assistant to Mayor David Bieter and a member of the task force.

"If motorists and cyclists try to occupy the same space at the same time, the cyclist is going to lose," he said.

Bieter put together the seven-member task force after three cyclists were killed earlier this summer.

The public will have its say on the recommendations next week, and then the task force will make revisions and send the proposal to the City Council in September.

"We tried to be really broad about things that go into bike safety," Zuzel said. "Everybody who uses the roadway shares the responsibility of making the road safe."

A group of more than 30 advocates for cyclists and motorists reviewed the recommendations as the draft was written.

Janell Zuckerman, YMCA Safe Routes to School coordinator, wanted to see an increase in education for cyclists, pedestrians and motorists.

"I really think the learner's permit should have a bigger component of (cycling) laws," Zuckerman said. "I think this is a great start."

Jimmy Hallyburton, a founder of the Boise Bicycle Project, was glad the mayor acted quickly to create the task force.

He also was happy the different members of the cycling community worked together.

"If the cycling community didn't take some responsibility, it wasn't going to work," Hallyburton said. "It's really easy to get fired up on your side of the effort."

Boise cycling enthusiast Kurt Holzer said he would like to see a 3-feet-to-pass rule in effect all the time.

He also supported a driver education component, especially for younger drivers, he said.

"It's a nice piece of work," he said.

"I'm not 100 percent in accord with everything that came out, but it's government doing a good thing."

Bethann Stewart: 377-6393