An effort is underway to ban bicyclists from several narrow two-lane highways in semi-rural southwest St. Charles County.

County Councilman Joe Brazil plans to introduce a proposed ordinance on the subject Monday night.

He said increasing use of bicycles - especially in organized groups - causes a safety hazard on the roads without shoulders.

"You're going 55 (mph) and there's absolute limited sight distance," he said. "You come around a corner and come upon a bike in seconds and you have to react."

Brazil, a Defiance Republican whose district includes the affected area, said "this is a problem we've had out here for years" and that he gets more complaints about the issue than on anything else.

Brazil's bill would apply to Highways DD, D, F and Z and the portion of Highway 94 southwest of Highway 40 (Interstate 64.) 

Areas along those roads with much lower speed limits - such as the unincorporated town of Defiance and municipalities of Augusta and New Melle - would be exempt, he says.

He said bike riders can use the nearby Katy Trail between St. Charles and Augusta.