In our March issue of The Pedal Post (eNewsletter), Bike Fort Collins posed the question: “Have you experienced conflict or felt unsafe while traveling through the intersection of the Poudre Trail and North Taft Hill?”
Thank you to those who responded. Below is a recap of the results.
WHAT HAPPENED?
In addition, for those who reported conflict, we asked them to describe their experience. Here is a sampling of the responses we received:
- “Every once in awhile, vehicles do not yield to flashing crosswalk signal… Not s huge surprise, but most of the time vehicles do yield here.”
- “Cars don’t stop even with flashing lights going.”
- “Should I press the button and wait? I have seen cars blow through when I did press the button and I have seen cars stop when I didn’t.”
- “Truck not stopping when flashing lights were on.”
- “Vehicles traveling on Taft Hill, in both directions, tend to go pretty fast on that stretch of road and may not always be ready to slow down or stop when bicyclists and pedestrians are crossing or getting ready to cross the intersection.”
- “It felt difficult to see in both directions well enough as I approached Taft Hill. I seem to remember it being the case whether approaching from the East or West, and that it’s worse looking toward traffic coming from the South.”
- “Some cars just don’t notice the flashing lights and speed through the intersection.”
- “I always press the button to activate the light.”
HOW CAN IT BE IMPROVED?
Finally, we asked respondents how they thought the intersection/facility could be improved. Here is a sampling of the responses we received:
- “Perhaps a slightly larger staging area on the east side of the intersection. It can get crowded when busy.”
- “As a driver and biker, I know to watch out there, but some bikers do not press the button. Encourage bikers to warn drivers with the light.”
- “Protected bike lanes, removing cars from town.”
- “This is a good intersection, the hardest challenge is getting on the trail when traveling north bound on Taft, not sure what could be done, perhaps some signage before the interaction could help.”
- “Better signage, patrol car presence on high-usage days in spring/early summer.”
- “A crossing light like they have at Magnolia/Shields & elsewhere.”
- “Delayed light like power line trail and mason. Let bikes queue up and go as group. But red light for cars when bikes cross.”
- “Have a stop light (not just flashing yellow lights which aren’t as visible and eye-catching).”
- “I think a stoplight (like at the intersection of Magnolia and Shields) would be helpful.”
Again, thank you to all who responded—and for sharing their experiences. Stay tuned for additional surveys inquiring about other intersections and bicycle facilities.