Posts tagged cyclists
Boulder to test green bike-lanes
Sep 13th
Cyclists and motorists traveling north along Folsom Street will notice something new at the intersections of Canyon Boulevard and Pearl Street – green bike lanes. As part of a pilot project, the City of Boulder’s Transportation Division has installed the new pavement markings to promote community awareness and increase safety for both cyclists and motorists. The city is testing the green bike lanes’ effectiveness with reducing “right hook” collisions, which involve a motorist making a right turn and accidentally colliding with a cyclist traveling in the same direction in the adjacent bike lane, as depicted in the attached diagram. Citywide, approximately 14 percent of all motor vehicle collisions involving cyclists have been attributed to right hook collisions. The intersections of Folsom Street and Canyon Boulevard (#2) and Folsom and Pearl streets (#12) were identified among the top 15 most common collision locations. These statistics were included in the Safe Streets Boulder Report, a study of motor vehicle collisions involving cyclists or pedestrians during a 40-month period between January 2008 and April 2011.
The new pavement markings on Folsom Street are the first phase of the pilot project, with additional green bike lanes planned along Colorado Avenue and Table Mesa Drive this fall. Evaluations to test the effectiveness of the markings will include field observations and an online community survey to gather input from cyclists and motorists. The green bike lanes are a traffic engineering component of the city’s three-part action plan to reduce the number of traffic collisions in Boulder through engineering, education and enforcement. The Heads Up Boulder: Mind the Crosswalk campaign was launched this summer to help educate the community about three new crosswalk safety ordinances and the Boulder Police Department will be proactively enforcing the ordinances at Boulder’s busiest intersections this fall. The new pavement markings were installed on Thursday, Sept. 6, using a preformed thermoplastic material that includes an anti-skid layer to reduce slipping. Boulder is joining other communities such as Portland, Ore.; Seattle, Wash.; St. Petersburg, Fla.; Los Angeles, Calif.; and San Francisco, Calif. in experimenting with bike lane pavement markings. The attached photo shows the green bike lane at the intersection of Canyon Boulevard and Folsom Street and the attached diagram depicts a right hook collision.
The new pavement markings on Folsom Street are the first phase of the pilot project, with additional green bike lanes planned along Colorado Avenue and Table Mesa Drive this fall. Evaluations to test the effectiveness of the markings will include field observations and an online community survey to gather input from cyclists and motorists. The green bike lanes are a traffic engineering component of the city’s three-part action plan to reduce the number of traffic collisions in Boulder through engineering, education and enforcement. The Heads Up Boulder: Mind the Crosswalk campaign was launched this summer to help educate the community about three new crosswalk safety ordinances and the Boulder Police Department will be proactively enforcing the ordinances at Boulder’s busiest intersections this fall. The new pavement markings were installed on Thursday, Sept. 6, using a preformed thermoplastic material that includes an anti-skid layer to reduce slipping. Boulder is joining other communities such as Portland, Ore.; Seattle, Wash.; St. Petersburg, Fla.; Los Angeles, Calif.; and San Francisco, Calif. in experimenting with bike lane pavement markings. The attached photo shows the green bike lane at the intersection of Canyon Boulevard and Folsom Street and the attached diagram depicts a right hook collision.
Spectators urged to plan ahead for Boulder Stage of the USA Pro Cycling Challenge
Aug 24th
The USA Pro Cycling Challenge comes to Boulder Aug. 25, and will be one of the largest events in city history. More than 100,000 spectators are expected to be in town to cheer on cyclists for Colorado’s biggest bike race.
To help residents and visitors prepare for race day activities and transportation needs, city staff and the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) have developed a Boulder Stage Interactive Map (www.usaproboulder.com/map) featuring periodic road closure times along the race route and public parking locations throughout the city. RTD also will increase bus service to Boulder to provide more transit options for race spectators, and the HOP will provide free service within Boulder on Aug. 25 to make it easier for spectators to get around town to watch the race and celebrate at the race festival on Pearl Street. Service will be doubled for the BV route and on the BOLT to Longmont.
“This will be an extraordinary event for the city, and we’re excited to showcase Boulder to an international audience of cycling fans,” said City Manager Jane Brautigam. “There are going to be several optimum places to watch the race as cyclists come through the city twice, and we want to encourage everyone – residents and visitors – to plan ahead for parking, to take advantage of public transportation, and to use Boulder’s world-class bike paths during the event.”
Some event day tips include:
- Map your route in advance and know when and where roads are closed
- Arrive early and plan to spend the day in Boulder
- Identify your preferred viewing location, and be flexible
- Dress for changing weather
- Bring water and wear comfortable shoes
- Enjoy local businesses and the festival before and during the race
- Bring cash for parking, bike corrals, and the festival – No credit cards will be accepted for parking or bike corrals
- Plan to shop or eat at a local restaurant to avoid traffic delays after the event
Event parking is available throughout the city and can be found on the Boulder Stage Interactive Map (www.usaproboulder.com/map).
Paid on-street parking is available. Paid Event Parking will be available on the University of Colorado at Boulder Campus, city garages and parking lots, and at several local organizations. City parking facilities will charge $30 for event parking during Saturday’s race to help distribute parking throughout the city. The $30 parking fee will be cash only on Aug. 25. Vehicles parked illegally will be towed. Normal parking operations will resume on Sunday, Aug. 26.
Spectators who wish to park and ride bicycles or walk to the downtown events, may park for free at Stazio Field, Flatiron Park North, Pearl East Circle near the Goose Creek path and at GE Analytical Instruments in Gunbarrel. The LOC has arranged for bike corrals at Boulder High School and Casey Middle School. Bikes may be checked in for a $2 donation between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m.
CU-Boulder will have shuttles operating on race day from the CU east campus parking lots and CU main campus parking lots to the intersection of 20thStreet and Pearl Street. Parking at the main campus will be $30; parking at east campus will be $20. The shuttles are included in the parking fees (no bikes allowed on shuttles).
To view the most up-to-date parking and transportation options based on your specific needs, visit the Boulder Stage Interactive Map. The state also is announcing information about road closures throughout the region. Regional information is available at www.cotrip.org.
Please visit RTD’s main website www.rtd-denver.com to see route information for Aug. 25.
Reconstruction of Neva, Niwot roads begins Monday
Jul 24th
Popular roads’ to get face lift and wider shoulders
Boulder County, Colo. – Boulder County will begin reconstruction of Neva and Niwot roads between U.S. 36 (Foothills Highway) and North 63rd Street on Monday, July 30. Construction is anticipated to last through the end of November.
The project will replace the roadway and add four-foot shoulders to the entire stretch. The road is expected to remain open to all traffic, including cyclists, for the majority of the project. However, users should expect variable road surfaces including milled asphalt and dirt-road conditions, lane closures, and significant delays until construction is complete. Some daytime road closures are anticipated.
“The Neva-Niwot corridor is a popular and scenic cycling route and an important access route for many county neighborhoods,” Transportation Director George Gerstle said. “The road is in need of significant repairs and this project will improve the road and enhance safety for all everyone who uses it.”
Schedules are subject to change due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances. Visit www.BoulderCounty.org/Transportation or call 303-441-3900 for updates and more information.
