In our January 2024 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 East Elizabeth Street and South College Avenue?”
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:
- “I avoid it and NEVER travel that way.”
- “ It is confusing and unclear where cyclists should be. This is especially true when traveling East from campus across College Ave. There isn’t way finding or clear markings on the diagonal path from University Ave. Also, what is a cyclist supposed to do when you get to the East side of College? Wait for the light and then cross Elizabeth to the South and then continue on by bike? Or continue on down the North side of the sidewalk on Elizabeth and then cross where? 2) When crossing College to the West the narrow ramp is a bottleneck. Pedestrians also crossing to the West sometimes don’t see cyclists also crossing and the bottleneck at the ramp on the West side has lead to near bike/ped misses as College traffic is bearing down.”
- “Only a crosswalk on the one side and if you’re leaving campus you have to try to navigate to the proper side of the street.”
- “Crossing College cars turning from Elizabeth on College during red light heading North, also pedestrians and cyclists sharing crossing.”
- “Traffic volume and speed.”
- “Heading west and a driver was leaving the Best Western. Because heading west you have to stay on the sidewalk it feels sketchy.”
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:
- “Some enforcement of those who run the light.”
- “1) Add signs / way finding to guide cyclists through the intersection. Do this for both directions. 2) Repaint the diagonal path from University Ave so that it is clear that cyclists are welcome to use it. The cycle icons are badly faded. 3) Add a new spur to the diagonal path and cross walk across College for direct access to the South side of Elizabeth for West bound cyclists (and pedestrians).”
- “Please do one of these surveys for the intersection of the Spring Creek Trail and the Mason Trail. It’s horrible and it’s been horrible since it was built.”
- “Ability to cross on both sides.”
- “Not sure.”
- “Green paint for bike lane.”
- “Painted lines for cycling westbound that take me to the bike lane on Elizabeth.”
- “Does it need improvement? I have been riding through this intersection for 10 years. NO problems. I am always looking for one, as I return going east through the intersection and then have to cut across Elizabeth to start riding east. I usually just diagonal across the road after I cross College– looking for a problem, but have never had any.”
- “I think it works well as is.”
Again, thank you to all who responded—and for sharing their experiences. Stay tuned for additional surveys inquiring about other intersections and bicycle facilities.