The Senate president also criticized cyclists by saying they use the road without paying a gas tax to support maintenance, and suggested cyclists over the age of 16 should pay a $25 tax.

“They have this entitlement mentality, many of them, that we should just wait for them, and quite frankly I think that’s wrong. … Quite frankly I don't want more of them in the state because there’s already too many of them as it is.”

Raising the gas tax has been hotly debated this session as the fund to help pay for highway improvements has dwindled in recent years with more fuel-efficient vehicles on the road. Garner is also carrying the bill to increase the gas tax by 8 cents. That is still sitting in a House committee waiting to either be passed onto the full House or voted down.

Sen. Dee Brown, R-Hungry Horse, who voted against the bill, said there’s not enough room for drivers to give cyclists that much space. “If we look at just the width of most of our roadways, it’s critical (that) 10-foot wide pickups be able to use the whole lane.”

Sen. Dick Barrett, D-Missoula, said he’s been a cyclist for about 40 years and took offense at Sales’ remarks.