In our August 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 N. Mason Street and Cherry Street?”

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:

• “Turning north from Cherry to Mason. If there’s traffic, it’s sometimes hard to get on the bike trail, even if I turn onto Mason then try to get on bike path at museum parking lot entrance.”
• “Two issues: 1. Mason trail users OFTEN fail to use the warning lights. 2. West bound bike lane is narrow & crosses RR tracks before trail X.”
• “Traffic doesn’t always stop at flashing light.”
• “Traveling north on Mason, it can be difficult to see traffic approaching from the west on Cherry. Also, traveling either direction on Cherry in this vicinity, the bike lane is not generous, is snugged-up against parallel-parked cars, and (just west of the intersection) there’s a median in Cherry St. which makes for less safety to a bicyclist.”
• “Having to wait for a gap in traffic from two directions (not counting anyone turning) is stressful, as there is nothing to require any cars to stop. This is especially stressful when traffic picks up. Sometimes it takes awhile for a large enough to cross. And just because a car yields on one side of the intersection doesn’t mean others will.”
• “It’s better now that there are flashing lights, but even so, not all motorists expect to need to stop for peds at this intersection. I generally wait until there’s no traffic approaching.”
• “Traffic does not stop. When it’s busy, that intersection does not allow bikes to cross. You’d have to go to College for the signal and then come back.”
• “A curb extension was installed a couple of years ago which protrudes into the bike lane. It is on the N side of Cherry, W bound, to the east of Mason. Now, it can be impossible for motor vehicles to space 3 feet from bikes.”

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:

• “Better lighting, wider sidewalk or bike path to navigate travel to north College area.”
• “Widen westbound approach. “Make cyclists smarter.”
• “More signage.”
• “Get rid of on-street parking on Cherry. Maybe get rid of the median on Cherry just west of this intersection.”
• “Perhaps stop signs going east/west could be helpful or better lighting for the intersection at night.”
• “Hawk lights would “speak louder” than the small flashing lights.”
• “Add a stop sign or signal.”
• “Not sure, maybe protected crossing more like Loomis and Laporte.”
• “Remove the curb extension described above.”

Again, thank you to all who responded—and for sharing their experiences. Stay tuned for additional surveys inquiring about other intersections and bicycle facilities.