HAYDEN - The Hayden City Council Tuesday night decided against a recommendation to pursue limits on truck travel on Government Way to improve safety for bicyclists.

But the council wasn't unanimous in its decision, voting the recommendation down 3-2, with Mayor Ron McIntire's tie-breaking vote.

The city's Bicycle and Pedestrian Ways Committee said commercial truck traffic could be scaled back to local deliveries only.

"I respect their decision," said Robert Nelson, committee chairman. "At this point the committee has run out of options."

The committee earlier had determined that it wasn't realistic to create a designated bicycle lane on Government Way, given the narrow width of the roadway.

He said bicyclists use Government Way frequently, often in the morning.

"The serious cyclists use it all the time," he said. "You won't see them on the sidewalk."

The cyclists travel Government Way north from Coeur d'Alene to a triathlon cycling course.

City Councilman Roger Saterfiel said he has concerns about how the recommended restrictions would be enforced if they were approved.

"I'm not quite sure how to do that," Saterfiel said.

Councilman Dick Panabaker expressed similar concerns.

"How's anybody supposed to know who's supposed to be here and who isn't," he said.

Nelson said signs informing drivers about such restrictions might encourage riders to use a different roadway.

Councilwoman Nancy Lowery said, "I am in total support of this recommendation."

Revamping the downtown corridor along Government Way in the city was intended to be more pedestrian friendly. Having large commercial trucks passing through the corridor wasn't what was envisioned, she said.

Councilwoman Jeri DeLange also voted in favor of having the city look into the committee's recommendation further.

McIntire joined Saterfiel and Panabaker in rejecting any further consideration.