DECORAH - A resident hopes to engage county officials in a dialogue about how to improve the way cyclists and motorists share county roads.

Brad Miller told the Winneshiek County supervisors recently that as a biking enthusiast, he's had some close calls.

In the short term, he suggested posting additional "share the road" signs reminding both bikers and drivers they need to respect each other.

"The road is there for both to use," Miller said.

As a long-term objective, supervisors might think about widening shoulders on county roads popular with cyclists. Arrows or other markings could also alert motorists that the road is traveled heavily by bikers, Miller said.

Officials might also consider connecting the county's "great biking spaces," Miller said, including the Prairie Farmer Trail that runs from Cresco to Calmar and the Trout Run Trail being developed around Decorah.

Supervisor Bill Ibanez believes pressure will increase on the county to accommodate cyclists in the future.

"More and more people are coming here for the lifestyle. They are more apt to utilize bikes. I do think there is a change in this direction," Ibanez said.

"For the long term, it may need to be a collaborative effort with bike associations, the county, maybe even Northeast Iowa," he added.

"I agree it's a good time to start the dialogue," Ibanez said.