The following is a summary of this Ride-Around-Town (RAT) Ride organized and led by Bike Fort Collins. RAT rides are open to the public and their purpose is to explore and discuss the strengths and weaknesses in bicycle infrastructure and connectivity in Fort Collins.
- Date: July 28th, 2021
- Time: 6:00 p.m.
- BFC Ride Leaders: Anna Kelso, Bruce Henderson, Dave Dixon
- # Attendees: 5
THE ROUTE
- Start – New Belgium Brewing
- North on Linden St
- Left on Conifer
- Left on Blue Spruce Dr
- Right on Suniga Dr
- Left on Jerome St
- Left on Vine Dr
- Right on Lemay Ave
- End – Snowbank Brewing
Notes & Observations
- As Linden turned to Redwood just north of Vine, the group stopped at the intersection of Redwood and Suniga to observe the construction on Suniga to the east. What will future bike infrastructure look like further west on Suniga (betweeen Jerome and College)?
- The Newest section of Suniga (leading up to the Suniga and College intersection) has protected bike lanes by way of being elevated (with curbs separating the entire bike lane); however, the curbs are not mountable and prevent riders from entering/exiting the bike lane at their chosen location. Concern was raised regarding the curbed bike lane when traveling west on Suniga and how cyclists may safely merge when making a left turn onto College.
- If raised bike lanes will be used on the new Suniga sections, the concept and use of these lanes should be communicated to the local cycling community.
- The intersection of Jerome and Vine marks the site of our city’s most recent bicycle fatality. It appears the victim, Don Lightbody was attempting a right hand (west) turn into the bike lane on Vine. He was sideswiped by a westbound pickup pulling a trailer, and died.
- In the bike lane on Vine, immediately west of the Jerome intersection, there’s a large rut full of water. A lot of loose gravel was also visible. The group speculated that Mr. Lightbody may have been attempting to avoid those hazards while turning right and went further out into the bike lane (and maybe even the traffic lane). Did the pickup driver allow Don the mandated 3 foot clearance?
- The intersection of Jerome and Vine is an important area for cyclists making their way to the Poudre Trail at the Poudre River Whitewater Park. Making this connection to the Poudre Trail across Vine is not clear nor in a direct path from the intersection. Better signage/markings here would help alert motorists to be prepared for cyclists, such as a painted crosswalk that includes both white and green hashmarks to denote a bike and ped crossing.
- The group rode down Vine and stopped at the new Lemay overpass to observe its progress. BFC indicated the strong bike/ped infrastructure that is planned for the overpass. Bike Fort Collins to monitor bicycle and pedestrian safety for residents in the Andersonville neighborhood crossing Vine enroute to Sugar Beet Park, specifically at San Cristo Street and Vine.
We are grateful to everyone who participated this RAT Ride and will submit a formal report with the above notes to City of Fort Collins. Join us for our next RAT Ride planned for October. Watch our social channels and e-Newsletter for registration details. Your voice matters!