In our September 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 North Overland Trail and Laporte 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:
- “This is a huge intersection without any traffic calming. The speed of vehicles traveling north and south is unsafe.”
- “Traffic speeding through on Overland, bad visibility on the hill to the north.”
- “I rarely encounter cross traffic when cycling on Overland (in either direction). Not sure why this is under investigation.”
- “This intersection is already safe, and not busy like other intersections in developed parts of Fort Collins.”
- “Narrow bike lanes and trucks driving too fast.”
- “Closest to unsafe is that I can’t tell as I approach where the lights are in a cycle. I’m sometimes surrounded by a light change.”
- “Turning North into Overland from Laporte is always tricky with the red light and slight incline.”
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:
- “Corner traffic islands for pedestrians and cyclists may help slow traffic. Many students from Poudre high school walk to the convenience store.”
- “Never had a problem there.”
- “At the minimun, install a stop light.”
- “t’s fine the way it is. I feel safe at this intersection. It’s easily one of the safest intersections in town. Please don’t go and mess that up.”
- “It already has a traffic light. I ride through the intersection frequently and find it safe.”
- “Wider bike lanes with big green arrows and bike lane markings. Lower speed limit around the intersection.”
- “Countdown walk display?”
- “Maybe a wider bike lane as one turns north?”
Again, thank you to all who responded—and for sharing their experiences. Stay tuned for additional surveys inquiring about other intersections and bicycle facilities.