In our September 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 E. Mulberry Street and S. Timberline Road?”
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:
- “The location of the cross walk button places pedestrians and cyclists a few feet from speeding, heavy duty, loud, polluting vehicles.”
- “The amount of traffic. I have had drivers cut in front or cut close behind me when I am riding straight on Timberline and they are turning right.”
- “The right hand turn lanes – on Timberline – and the bike lanes cross. Cars frequently speed around us as we are traveling north or south to cross Mulberry then cut in front to the right hand turn lane. It’s worse on the northwest side where the tun lane is very short And cars are also coming off Lincoln.”
- “Cars heading N on Timberline moving fast into right turn lane at Mulberry cross path of cyclists dangerously and late. 2. When coming S on Timberline, cars turning left into Lincoln often sneak through gaps in queueing traffic, fail to see bikes.”
- “At this intersection I do NOT move through it by Idaho Stop rules. Meaning, although I know how the lights cycle, I do not anticipate my green before going; I wait for it.”
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:
- “Require cleaner emissions from vehicles. Reduce speeds. Move the crosswalk button back to the curb as opposed to on an island right next to traffic.”
- “Green markings that are highly visible on Timberline that show the bike lane continues across the right turn lanes. Maybe at Lincoln too.”
- “I am a cyclist with a brain-injury so safe travel is really important to me. I sincerely think that as long as cyclists and motorists are paying attention and respectful of our laws, this is a very safe intersection. I worry about a good many others in Fort Collins but not this one.”
- “Physical delineation or separate bike lights accuation. Not quite sure what options will work.”
- “better signage and road markings to emphasize bike right of way. 2. Radical – ban left turns; less radical – left turn signal timed with Mulberry; standard – better markings to ensure cars do not queue across Lincoln entrance and block sight lines.”
Again, thank you to all who responded—and for sharing their experiences. Stay tuned for additional surveys inquiring about other intersections and bicycle facilities.