Ride Time News - Fall/Winter 2016

FALL/WINTER 2016

what’s inside: 2

| Improving bicycling to advance our state

6-8 | Meet our supporters 9

| Walk and Wheel communities & our state capital

10

| Q&A: What to do if you’re involved in a crash

Colorado Pedals Project transforming our state The Colorado Pedals Project is a four year effort to make Colorado the best state in the nation to bike and walk. Thanks to valuable support from the Colorado Health Foundation, Gates Family Foundation and Bicycle Colorado members, we are working with the governor’s office, state agencies and Colorado’s bike czar Ken Gart to take some big steps forward. Together we can make bicycling and walking easy and accessible for everyone in Colorado.

Champions leading the way Over the summer, the governor’s office surveyed state employees on their biking and walking experiences. In response, more than 400 people across all agencies voiced their desire to be “bike champions” in their workplaces. It’s clear that we have leaders at all levels of state government who want to help get more people biking and walking.

Connecting local governments

Riding a new section of the Peaks to Plains Trail

We are working to connect partners in communities across our state with Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) staff so that all parties can be more proactive in identifying opportunities to improve streets. These efforts include promoting resources such as the recently completed “Colorado Downtown Streets” guide, a tool to help communities, planners, engineers and advocates work together to increase the bicycle- and pedestrian-friendliness of their downtowns. This resource is collaborative effort between CDOT, the Department of Local Affairs and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.

As we put together this issue, CDOT is constructing a four-foot wide shoulder along a stretch of Highway 340 between Grand Junction and Fruita, part of a key route for those biking between Fruita and Grand Junction, to the Colorado National Monument or in the Tour of the Moon. Local advocates and Representative Yeulin Willet approached CDOT to get those shoulders added into a road construction project that was already on the calendar, and CDOT made it happen.

Bicyclists line up to ride the new I-70 bike path

In September, CDOT cut the ribbon on a path that filled a gap in the trail network along I-70. This new section Continued on page 4

Building a bicycle-friendly Colorado | bicyclecolorado.org

Bicycle Colorado’s mission is to encourage and promote bicycling, increase safety, improve conditions and provide a voice for cyclists in Colorado.

Copyright 2016 Bicycle Colorado, Inc. All rights reserved.

1525 Market Street, Suite 100 Denver, CO 80202-1661 303.417.1544 info@bicyclecolorado.org

BOARD OF DIRECTORS PRESIDENT Ella Lyons VICE PRESIDENT Brad Tucker SECRETARY Scot Harris TREASURER Erik Esborg Shannon Anderson Bill & Sheri Barr Spencer Compton Karl Friedman Alex Gillett Lee Herndon Graham Hollis Mike Lee Paul Majors & Roberta Smith Terry Malouf & Dave Walker Russ Shaw

ADVISORY BOARD Bob Moore Ned Overend Andy Pruitt Bill Ritter Greg Seebart

Letter from Ella and Dan Improving bicycling to advance our state

Bike Shorts Assisting LiveWell HEAL Cities and Towns

Bicycle Colorado team grows

Bicycle Colorado recently contracted with LiveWell Colorado to provide active transportation technical assistance to Montrose, Leadville and Edgewater, members of LiveWell’s HEAL (Healthy Eating, Active Living) Cities & Towns Campaign. Rachel Hultin and Ted Heyd from the Bicycle Colorado policy team met with staff, elected officials and other stakeholders to advance biking and walking as safe and accessible ways to get around.

Thanks to grants from the Gates Family Foundation and Colorado Health Foundation, along with support from members, Bicycle Colorado expanded our team to guide the Colorado Pedals Project to improve bicycling in our state.

While Colorado is known for premier cycling roads and trails, completing our bike network and building additional cycling infrastructure takes hard work and lots of friends. As you’ll learn in the cover story, the Colorado Pedals Project ramped up over the past year to achieve great gains. We are so thankful to our members and donors that have gotten us to this point. The foundation of our work is decades strong and now the future of biking and walking is bright, thanks to you.

In coming months you will see a new Bicycle Colorado logo and user-friendly updates to our website. We think you’ll love the way these projects convey the joy of cycling in Colorado.

Did you know that in 2015 three-quarters of a million people rode bikes during their visit to our state? The more people who get out and bike, the safer our roads become.

With a new professional cycling event coming to Colorado in 2017, we’re excited to be a part of the boost for Colorado’s economy through cycling.

The governor’s Economic and Health Impact of Biking and Walking study is about to be released, which will give us an updated view of how bicycling contributes to Colorado’s economy and the health of our residents. Stay tuned to eNews for the details on that and all the other great things we’ve got going on, including our growing Bike School and all the events we’re planning for 2017.

Thank you for your valuable support of better bicycling in Colorado.

Please welcome our new board members Ted Heyd, LiveWell’s Julie George and Montrose staff

Through several field visits on foot and by bike, Ted and Rachel collaborated with community leaders to map safe routes to schools, identify best practices for roadway retrofits and enhance access to off-street trails. We submitted Active Transportation Recommendation Reports to Montrose and Edgewater and facilitated a Complete Streets summit in Leadville. We look forward to further collaboration with these partners as they prioritize and look for ways to implement the recommendations and improve their communities.

STAFF EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Dan Grunig

Bike share moves into new communities

DEPUTY DIRECTOR Amy Morfas ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION MANAGER Rachel Hultin COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER Katherine Fuller DENVER DIRECTOR Piep van Heuven DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR Michele Hogan EDUCATION DIRECTOR Stephanie Leonard

Dan Grunig Executive Director

Ella Lyons Board President

EDUCATION PROGRAM MANAGER Maureen McCanna

Westminster bike share

EDUCATORS Daniel Eberle, Lilly Miller EVENTS MANAGER Claire Peters FINANCE MANAGER Justin Millar MEMBERSHIP MANAGER Madeline Kreider Carlson POLICY DIRECTOR Ted Heyd 2 ride time news Fall 2016

eNews Keep current on Colorado bicycling news by signing up for eNews at bicyclecolorado.org

Active Transportation Manager Rachel Hultin has been working with state agencies since January.

Learn more about her work in the cover story. Denver Director Piep van Heuven came aboard in May, and Piep, Claire and Rachel you can see what she’s up to on page nine. Claire Peters joined us as our Events Manager in August. We’ll be hosting some new events in 2017. Check the back cover for details.

Four communities in Colorado greeted new or expanded bike share programs over the spring and summer. In April, the Fort Collins Bike Library grew into Fort Collins Bike Share, an automatic bike share program with 79 bikes at 13 stations, as well as a staffed location where users can get help with using the system and getting around Fort Collins.

In May, Aspen’s WE-cycle expanded to Basalt, Willits and El Jebel, adding 23 stations and 90 bikes to the system.

Then in June, Golden opened a bike library at its visitor’s center. The library, with 40 bikes of various sizes and types, provides bikes free for up to one day and users are charged a small fee for multi-day rental. In July, Westminster joined the bike share club with 32 cruiser bikes, three hand cycles and five tricycles at five stations.

This summer Shannon Anderson, Paul Majors and Roberta Smith joined the board of Bicycle Colorado.

Shannon is a Colorado native who enjoys mountain biking, road riding and touring and has a love affair with century rides. She is inspired by the positive energy of cycling events and is committed to improving bicyclist safety. Shannon is a resident of both Vail and Denver.

Roberta and Paul have been members of Bicycle Colorado for sixteen years and are stepping up their involvement by joining the board. Both are avid cyclists and bike commuters who want to share their love of cycling with their peers and the next generation.

Former COO of USA Cycling Sean Petty joined our advisory board, and Greg Seebart shifted from the board of directors to the advisory board. Welcome to our new board members, and thank you to all board members for their dedication!

Roberta Smith and Paul Majors

Shannon Anderson

Building a bicycle-friendly Colorado | bicyclecolorado.org

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Programs

Programs

Colorado Pedals Project transforming our state Continued from page 1

of trail between Genesee and El Rancho enables cyclists to travel from Denver to Loveland Pass without ever having to bike on I-70.

CDOT’s willingness to partner with us to shake up the status quo and work with local governments to find creative solutions to fill gaps in the bike network exemplifies their new goal to be “the number one bike-friendly DOT in the country,” as stated by CDOT deputy director Mike Lewis.

Taking a ride together Bicycle Colorado and bike czar Ken Gart hosted rides this summer to show changemakers the great things that are happening in Colorado, as well as areas that need improvement.

Just before the grand opening of a section of the Peaks to Plains Trail in Clear Creek Canyon, Jeffco Open Space allowed us to ride the trail with a group of state employees, city staff, advocates and business leaders.

Ultimately, the Peaks to Plains Trail will stretch from the Continental Divide at the Eisenhower Tunnel to the confluence of the South Platte River in Adams County. It’s a grand undertaking that will result in an amazing trail for local residents, as well as a reason to visit the state.

Later in the summer, we toured Denver to look at new bike infrastructure that is making it safer for people to bike around downtown, as well as places where improvements are needed. We will continue hosting these rides to facilitate the connections needed to catalyze change.

Expanding the trail network

managers throughout the state to create the Colorado Trail System, a comprehensive online map of trails in the state that can be found at cpw.state.co.us/cts. The beta launch of the map is scheduled for this fall, and the map will continue to improve with user feedback.

According to Gov. Hickenlooper, “Assembling trail information that traditionally exists in dozens or hundreds of other places in one site will make it far easier for Coloradans to discover trail options often just a short distance from their homes.” This is a big win for all of us who want to use trails for recreation or transportation. It’s also a big win for planners and advocates who can now look at our trail network comprehensively to find the gaps and plan to fill them.

While it’s incredibly exciting that new trails are being built, it’s also important to look at the network as a whole to determine where the gaps are. That information has been difficult to find, until now. This year, Colorado Parks and Wildlife partnered with local, state and federal trail

4 ride time news Fall 2016

We just wrapped up the first year of the Bicycle Colorado Bike School, and we are thrilled to share that 35 youth and 54 adults have taken classes at the school. That’s 89 new members of the Colorado bicycling community who are ready for adventures with their newly acquired skills!

Our students The Bike School offers both group and private lessons to teach children and adults how to ride. In our first season, a diverse group of students— from age 4 to age 77—took classes with us. Women, men and children from diverse backgrounds joined us, including immigrants from as far away as India, Sudan, Iraq, Afghanistan and the Philippines.

Partnering with our state department of transportation The Pedals Project is partnering with key state agencies that are instrumental in achieving the project’s goals, including CDOT. We are working with the department to analyze funding that could improve bicycling, like the road resurfacing program, which could be modified to increase the safety of our roads for bicyclists and all road users. It’s a seemingly small shift that could have far-reaching impacts with little additional investment.

Training programs can also be improved so that engineers and leaders have the tools they need to build complete streets. Earlier this year, our active transportation manager, Rachel Hultin, worked with CDOT staff to put on their inaugural Complete Streets Summit for executive management, regional bicycle and pedestrian representatives, traffic engineers and staff from maintenance, ADA and transit.

When Governor Hickenlooper announced 16 highest priority trails for 2016 (the Peaks to Plains Trail is one), he gave momentum to those projects, and the At the summit, CDOT director Shailen project teams for those trails have been Shailen Bhatt speaks at CDOT’s Complete Streets Summit Bhatt issued a challenge for all CDOT capitalizing on that opportunity. Over the regions to try out innovative bike and summer, several new sections of trail pedestrian designs, so we expect to see opened up, including parts of the Peaks to Plains Trail, Rocky Mountain more innovation in the near future.

According to CDOT’s Betsy Jacobsen, Greenway Trail and Highline Canal Trail. “[The summit] was a great opportunity to discuss ways in which CDOT can work with local communities and partners to enhance mobility and Looking to the future, the U.S. Department of Transportation has released safety for everyone.” a short list of projects for Federal Lands Access Program funding, and four of the short-listed projects would help fund three “16 in 2016” trail Thank you to those who are making the projects: the Fremont Pass Trail, the Rocky Mountain Greenway Trail and the Colorado Front Range Trail.

Pedals Project possible

Mapping the trail network to find opportunities

New adventures begin at the Bike School

The Pedals Project is a partnership that would not be possible without both public and private funding. Thank you to the governor’s office for prioritizing federal funding and lottery revenue to improve bicycling.

And thank you to the Colorado Health Foundation and the Gates Family Foundation for providing the resources to increase our capacity so that we are able to take full advantage of this great opportunity to improve bicycling in Colorado!

STUDENT PROFILE: NAMITA MEHTA Why did you want to learn to ride a bike?

I always see people biking in Boulder and have always thought it looks so fun!

Have you tried to learn before?

I only have one memory of biking as a kid. I was riding down my driveway and did not know how to control the brakes. I ended up crashing into the neighbor's mailbox. I was so embarrassed.

What did you like about the Bike School class?

I loved the individualized instruction and learning actual technique. Now, when talking to my husband and friends who ride, I have language to describe riding techniques that they might do intuitively but couldn’t describe.

Why are you excited to ride?

Stephanie teaches a Bike School student about brakes

Our partners

When I wanted to learn, I couldn’t find any resources until I found the Bike School. Learning to ride a bike has opened up so many opportunities for me. I have a visual disability that was diagnosed when I was a kid. I can get around really well, but balance and depth perception can be challenging.

Riding a bike is something I never thought I’d be able to do. It still feels surreal, and it’s such a fun feeling to ride!

This year, we partnered with the African Community Center and Groundwork Denver to organize classes. We’re looking for other groups who would like to bring the Bike School to their clients next year. Do you know of a group we should partner with? Email stephanie@bicyclecolorado.org.

Thanks to those who made it possible We want to say a huge thank you to New Belgium Brewing, Primal, Alchemy Bicycle Company and Women Bike Colorado, without whom the Bike School would not have been possible. These organizations donated money, space and time to enable our students to learn to ride.

Where do we go from here?

Many students have expressed that they are eager for more education, including commuter safety and basic mechanics classes. Next year, we plan to continue Learn to Ride classes and expand our offerings.

We are looking for a sponsor to fund this expansion. If your company is interested in sponsoring the school, please reach out to Stephanie at stephanie@bicyclecolorado.org.

Namita Mehta

Building a bicycle-friendly Colorado | bicyclecolorado.org

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Business Member

Individual Member

VeloSwap supports the community VeloSwap began back in 1989 as a way for local pro cyclists to sell their gear at the end of a season, allowing them to buy the newest bikes and gear for the next season. The event has been held at various venues in Boulder and Denver, most recently at Denver’s National Western Complex on October 22.

Bicycle Colorado has been involved for more than two decades and RDB Events has been running the event for thirteen years. We talked with Reese Brown of RDB to get the lowdown on what makes VeloSwap special and why the event supports Bicycle Colorado.

You said VeloSwap is constantly evolving. Can you give us a sneak peek? What does the next evolution look like?

We’re working on a lot of things for the next VeloSwap. A couple years ago we held a cyclocross race through the building. This year we introduced a beer garden so people could connect and swap stories.

In the coming years we’re planning to try new things like bringing in industry folks to show off what’s new and coming out next and then partnering with local bike shops to sell those products to consumers when they’re available.

photo: Reese Brown

Why does VeloSwap choose to support better bicycling in Colorado through a donation to Bicycle Colorado?

We support Bicycle Colorado, along with a number of other bicyclefocused nonprofits, because we are a community. For all of us to succeed in this goal of having a great ride every single time we go out, we each need to play a role.

Bicyclists browse for deals at VeloSwap

For those who have never experienced it, what is VeloSwap?

It’s really hard to put your finger on it. VeloSwap is constantly evolving.

First and foremost, it’s a buying and selling opportunity for new and used cycling gear. Historically, it’s been an opportunity to buy end of season closeouts. What’s cool about it is that you get to see and actually try out gear, and at the same time get reacquainted with old friends.

Vendors and patrons come back year after year for the camaraderie.

VeloSwap is now the world’s largest one-day consumer bike show and swap. Because those first in line have the opportunity to find the best deals, people often start lining up before dawn to get in.

Access is a big issue. We’re happy to be able to support Bicycle Colorado’s work to create new, safe places to ride, to improve the places we already ride and to make the ride safer for all of us.

Why do you think other events should support Bicycle Colorado?

Advocacy at all levels is so important. When you buy a bike at VeloSwap, it’s no good if you don’t have quality places to ride or policies in place that make it safer. When I go out on a ride and think, “man, it would be great if this piece of trail connected to that other piece,” or “it would be so much better if there were a shoulder on this road,” that’s what Bicycle Colorado is working on. That’s why we support Bicycle Colorado, and we encourage others to join us.

Thanks VeloSwap and Reese for all your support!

What does VeloSwap add to the bicycle community in Colorado?

6 ride time news Fall 2016

B

arry Schacht decided one day that he needed a mirror for his bike.

While most of us would head on over to our local bike shop, Barry took a different route.

He went to Schacht Spindle Company, the business he owns with his wife, Jane Patrick, and built a prototype mirror with wood and plastic parts that he crafted on the company’s woodworking equipment.

It wasn’t out of character. Barry has always been a tinkerer. Growing up in the small town of Monticello, NY, he and his siblings rode regular bikes until they discovered the allure of motors. At that point, they started putting bikes and motors together in interesting configurations like a lawn mower-powered bicycle.

Jane also grew up in a small town—Holdrege, NE. Her father, an optometrist, biked to work every day that the weather permitted, and her family regularly rode together on Sunday afternoons.

Jane recalls that her sister wanted to bike to high school, but there was no rack at school to lock up to. She talked to the principal, who said he would get a rack if she could convince five of her friends to bike with her.

It may have been a surprise to him, but it’s probably not a surprise to you, she found those five friends and they got their bike rack.

Both Barry and Jane fell out of cycling for a time, as many of us have, but they each found their way back. Barry was challenged by a good friend to ride up a steep “hill” in Boulder. He didn’t make it the first time. Undeterred, he bought a bike and has been biking ever since. “I fell in love with the freedom it gave me,” he says.

When Jane met Barry, she got back into biking and they began taking bike trips Barry Schacht together. A six-week trip from London to Stockholm cemented it for her—she really loved traveling by bike. They’ve been biking together ever since and have just returned from touring Spain’s low Pyrenees.

Jane and Barry aren’t just a great biking team, though. They’ve also built two successful companies together. The first, Schacht Spindle Company, manufactures and sells tools and accessories for spinning and weaving.

Their second, born out of Barry’s prototype bike mirror, is Mirrycle Corporation (a portmanteau of “mirror” and “bicycle” that’s pronounced like “miracle”). Mirrycle now sells several varieties of mirrors and bike bells. Attendees of our Colorado Bicycle Summit this past February received Mirrycle’s Incredibell.

It’s an opportunity to hang out with other cycling fanatics, those who are just getting into cycling, families who ride, commuters, really anyone who rides a bike. It brings everyone together to connect, learn, swap, buy socks for their loved ones for the holidays and talk about bicycling.

VeloSwap is a place of discovery for both new and used items. Every year, I see people looking for super specific parts from the sixties, seventies and eighties, and they’re able to find them. It’s a cool, unique aspect of VeloSwap that you can’t find anywhere else. And we’re proud of the fact that VeloSwap keeps bikes out there in the community.

Better bicycling in Colorado is a team effort

Volunteers help us sell memberships at VeloSwap

Jane and Barry have attended the Bicycle Colorado Gala since the early days. They enjoy the event since it gives them a great excuse to take off their bike kits and dress up a bit for an evening out.

Jane and Barry on a recent bike tour

“Jane was always worried about Bicycle Colorado having enough funding,” says Barry of those early galas. They ended up bidding on a lot of items because of this! Later on, they decided that since the mission was so personal to them, they should get even more involved. They’ve made several generous donations since then, and they still regularly attend the gala.

When asked why they support Bicycle Colorado, they offer numerous reasons. They appreciate efforts to lobby on behalf of Colorado cyclists and to advocate for better infrastructure. But Jane also says, “one of the reasons people don’t bike is they don’t feel safe.” She appreciates the work that Bicycle Colorado does to increase safety, not just for those who are already biking, but for those who will begin when they perceive that their community is safe enough to bike around.

Personally and professionally, Jane and Barry want to see more people take up cycling, and supporting the work of Bicycle Colorado is one way they can help make that happen. Since running two businesses and exploring the world Jane Patrick by bike doesn’t leave much time for working for better laws or teaching children to ride safely, they are happy they can support organizations like Bicycle Colorado that do the work for them.

“It takes a really strong team to advocate for better bicycling,” says Barry.

We’re very grateful that they’ve chosen to support our team!

Building a bicycle-friendly Colorado | bicyclecolorado.org

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Supporter Profiles

Programs

David M. Budd Photography

Walk and Wheel communities continue improvements

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hroughout 2014 and 2015, Bicycle Colorado led a technical assistance team for Kaiser Permanente’s Walk and Wheel program, helping people in ten communities and ten workplaces to walk and bike more.

The team consisted of staff from Fox Tuttle Hernandez Transportation Group, UC Denver, FRESC and the Southwest Energy Efficiency Project. Communities produced fantastic plans and programs and continue to improve the biking and walking experience beyond the conclusion of the grant.

avid Budd grew up around bicycles and got completely hooked by about age 12. Instead of summer camp, he did group bike tours.

Later in life, he also got hooked on photography. He’s been photographing landscapes, people, products, architecture, travel and events (including Elephant Rock, Copper Triangle and Tour of the Moon) professionally for more than 20 years.

Sometime in the mid 2000s, a Bicycle Colorado staff member reached out to David to ask if he would be willing to photograph the Bicycle Colorado Gala—for free. It was a big ask, but he stepped up without hesitation. He’s been stepping up for us ever since, as both a volunteer and a member.

In addition to the gala, David photographs our summit and leads photo shoots as needed to keep our photo library up to date. He loves that our “models” (Bicycle Colorado members, for the most part), never have to be asked to smile. When they hop on a bike, they smile automatically.

When asked why he’s supported Bicycle Colorado for so long, he says, “Bicycle Colorado is our voice when it comes to making improvements to our cycling infrastructure and making Colorado a better, safer place to ride.”

Gates Corporation

Next Door

G

ates Corporation has contributed to Bicycle Colorado and the Colorado Bicycle Summit for the past five years because they want to help make Colorado communities healthier, happier, fitter, more economically vibrant and sustainable. Gates is invested in Colorado— they’ve been located in Denver for more than 100 years—and the company believes bicycles and Bicycle Colorado’s efforts are key to building an even better Colorado.

M

Best known for automotive, motorsports and industrial belts, hoses and hydraulics, Gates recently entered the bike market with the launch of Gates Carbon Drive, a chain-replacing belt drive that doesn’t need grease and never rusts. Gates Carbon Drive has become incredibly popular in Europe, where it’s used on commuter bikes. Gates believes that the low-maintenance Carbon Drive is a solution for getting more people out of cars and onto bikes.

Next Door hosts 50|4U evenings to bring communities together to connect over food and drinks. They say, “In doing so, that community also does their part to support an organization. It’s a win-win!”

any of the organizations we feature on these pages have been supporting us for years, but we also like to recognize organizations that support us in new and creative ways. In June, Bicycle Colorado was the beneficiary of one of Next Door at Union Station’s 50|4U events. On our 50|4U evening, Next Door donated 50% of profits from any diners who mentioned our organization’s name to their server. Thanks to all who came out that night!

Next Door restaurants are currently located in Boulder on Pearl Street, in Denver Union Station and in City Set in Glendale. In 2017, Next Door is expanding to East Bridge in Stapleton and to Memphis, Tennessee.

The restaurant group encourages healthy lifestyle choices and they enthusiastically report that many of their employees commute to work by bike!

T

Greeley, generating excitement for bikes

Greeley recently sponsored a “bike-in” movie and hundreds of people showed up for the event that included music, food, activities and a bike rodeo that drew more than 150 kids.

Lafayette community celebration The city also purchased bike racks printed with “greeleybikes.com” and is installing them Lone Tree, painting the town at any business upon request. Later this year, Lone Tree created a Bicycle Master Plan, made possible by the Walk and the city will complete its first mile of a green, buffered bike lane. The first Wheel program. As called for in the plan, they restriped both Yosemite and section was installed last year and has been well received by the public.

RidgeGate Parkway to add bike lanes. According to a resident, “I regularly cross this section of road and it is unquestionably more comfortable with Englewood, focusing on infrastructure greater margins of safety for pedestrians. I also use the bike lanes several Englewood’s first bicycle boulevard is on track to be in place by this winter, times a week.” and the city plans to narrow lanes on two more streets to make room for bike facilities next spring. The city also received a Safe Routes to School Lafayette, mapping the way grant to improve a busy crossing for high school students, which will be In June, the City of Lafayette held a community bike ride and bike rodeo constructed next summer. In addition, a mid-block pedestrian crossing is and began distributing their newly published route map. The map highlights designed and will be constructed on a downtown street next year. current and future trails, as well as the low-stress Lafayette Loop that the

Turning our state capital into a leader

T

he goal of the Colorado Pedals Project is to make Colorado the #1 state in the country for bicycling. In order to reach that goal, we need our capital city of Denver to be a leader in the U.S., with the goal of becoming a world-class cycling center.

Denver has already built a reputation as a pretty bike-friendly city, with a good network of well-maintained urban trails, a high percentage of the population riding, a grassroots bike movement and some very dedicated city employees who are doing a lot with a little to build out the bike network.

But to actually lead Colorado to become the most bike-friendly state in the country, more work must be done and it has to start now. Otherwise, Denver will be left behind. That’s why Bicycle Colorado hired Piep van Heuven, former executive director of local advocacy group BikeDenver, to lead the charge as our Denver Director.

Funding is needed to move Denver forward The estimated cost of Denver Moves: Enhanced Bikeways, the city’s bike network plan, is $120 million. So how much is the city putting into the bike plan annually? $2.2 million. At the current rate of funding, it will take an estimated 50 years to build out the network. We’re not happy with that time

8 ride time news Fall 2016

city identified and marked with signage as part of their Walk and Wheel program. A bike lane demonstration project was also installed and has received favorable feedback.

frame and are working to move bicycling up the priority list. In addition, we are engaged in ensuring the success of current city bike projects.

Working with the city and local partners for a successful test project Building on the success of the Arapahoe and Lawrence protected bike lanes installed late last year, Denver’s first two-way protected bike lane was installed on a short stretch of Broadway in August. Part of a Broadway/ Lincoln mobility study, the project will give the city information about how the two-way configuration works on the corridor.

It’s a challenging spot for a test, because the six-block long project is not yet directly connected to the existing bike lane network, but it’s important that people try it out and give feedback. This test will help inform additional projects that could have a great impact for bike routes throughout Denver.

Bicycle Colorado partnered with BikeDenver to build a coalition of local partners who are encouraging use of the lanes and vocal support of the project through events, social media and business partnerships. We look forward to sharing more about this project and our Denver work in the near future.

Building a bicycle-friendly Colorado | bicyclecolorado.org

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FOCUS ON SAFETY

BIKE LAW Q&A

Group riding tips:

Brad Tucker is an avid cyclist, vice president of Bicycle Colorado’s board of directors and an attorney in his 26th year of practice with a specialty in bicycle liability and insurance issues.

If you have questions concerning legal issues affecting cyclists, you can contact him at brad@colobikelaw.com or 303.694.9300.

Two abreast when clear

Ride no more than two abreast.

Switch to single file to allow other vehicles to pass.

Call out, point out hazards

Communicate stops, turns and obstacles to those riding behind you.

Ride predictably

Ride predictably so that other riders and drivers know where you’re going.

Check for cross-traffic

You’re in charge of your own ride.

Check for cross-traffic at intersections as if you were riding solo.

10 ride time news Fall 2015 2016

GIFTS FOR EVERY CYCLIST IN THE BICYCLE COLORADO STORE

What should people do if they’re involved in a crash?

I enjoy moving at the speed of a bicycle. Cycling moves us along fast enough to cover great distances yet slow enough to enjoy scenery and conversation. The bicycle is the most efficient self-propelled machine ever invented yet cycling is challenging enough to keep a person fit and healthy. My daughter and I volunteer with Bicycle Colorado whenever we have the opportunity for the simple reason of meeting people and promoting cycling as part of a lifelong, healthy lifestyle. We get involved because Bicycle Colorado understands that cycling is fun, fascinating, and fulfilling.

If you are unfortunate enough to be involved in a crash, there are a few basic things to remember to do following the crash: You have the right to ask law enforcement to investigate the crash. Reporting the crash will initiate an investigation process and create an official record of the occurrence. Failing to report the crash can have a serious impact on your ultimate ability to recover the damages you sustain in it. Law enforcement involvement will further assure that you are getting accurate insurance information from the other party. That information will appear on the official Traffic Accident Report.

– Kevin Loftus I love and support Bicycle Colorado because they walk the walk.

They strive to get us all on bikes and to make it safe and feasible for us to do so. Bicycle Colorado encourages us (cyclists) to use our own voices and be active in those same efforts! My bike is the way I see things I would never see if I weren’t on two wheels, go places I’d never be able to go in a car, and meet people I’d never have met if I wasn’t pedaling. Bonus: I am one less car on the road when I ride. Bicycle Colorado continually renews my enthusiasm to be an advocate for riding bikes!

If it is a hit-and-run collision, it is potentially even more important that you report the crash and initiate a law enforcement investigation. Even if the driver cannot be located, you can still pursue damages under your uninsured motorist coverage.

Seek medical attention. It’s been my experience that many cyclists delay or avoid medical attention, but this is no time to be a hero. Get the treatment you need, and let the process play itself out. If you have health insurance, you will use that as your primary source of payment for treatment.

– Kati Olivaras

Gather contact information from witnesses if they’re willing to give it. Get a business card or as much contact information as they are willing to provide.

Bicycling has played a significant role in my life, beginning with overcoming childhood obesity. As a professor, I enjoy teaching students about the physiological adaptations that occur as a result of physical activities such as cycling, and that keeps me excited about bicycling. I support and volunteer for Bicycle Colorado because they advocate for healthy, active kids, adults and communities across the state. Bicycle Colorado took part in the inaugural Colorado Springs Bicycle Summit this past June, which brought hundreds of passionate advocates together to examine and discuss bicycling policy. Thank you Bicycle Colorado!

Do not argue fault with the other party or law enforcement. There is no obligation to even speak to the at-fault party about the collision, and there is no real advantage to doing so. If a law enforcement officer appears to be wrongfully holding you responsible for the collision, it is important that you state your version of how it occurred, but there is little to be gained by engaging the officer in an argument.

Photograph all visible injuries and damaged equipment once you’ve received emergency treatment.

Following these basic tips will get you going in the right direction. There is no question, however, that you would be wise to contact an experienced bicycle attorney to further protect your rights.

The information in this column is provided as a public service. It is not legal advice and should not be interpreted as such. Bicycle Colorado does not provide legal counsel nor endorse any legal counselor.

Parenthood has made me a bike advocacy zealot. You’ve never seen someone more passionate about better infrastructure and bike safety than a parent. We can’t afford not to care about advocacy.

I always tell people ‘If advocacy isn’t your thing, don’t worry.

There are groups who do it better! They will do it for you!’ That’s Bicycle Colorado.

– Katie Macarelli

None of us like to think about being involved in a crash, but it’s important to know what to do if we are. First of all, take a few minutes right now to think about whether you have insurance that will protect you in the event of a crash. More than 15% of Colorado motorists are uninsured. You can add uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage to your auto insurance policy or obtain a “nonowner operator policy” with uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage if you’re a car-free cyclist.

You have the right to file a statement as a supplement to the official Traffic Accident Report if you are unable to give a statement at the scene because you are immediately transported in an ambulance for emergency medical care. This is often an important way to document your perspective of the collision in an official record.

Why I support Bicycle Colorado

– Anthony Bull

T-shirts • Jerseys • Pint Glasses • Maps • Memberships •

SHOP NOW! bicyclecolorado.org

Thank you for your continued support. Please renew, donate and tell a friend about the benefits of becoming a Bicycle Colorado member today.

ORDER YOUR SHARE THE ROAD PLATES TODAY! All proceeds benefit Bicycle Colorado Share the Road education activities.

More information and online orders: bicyclecolorado.org

Building a bicycle-friendly Colorado | bicyclecolorado.org

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Bicycle Colorado 1701 Wynkoop Bicycle Colorado Street Suite 236 1525 Market Street, Suite 100 Denver, CO 80202-5924 Denver, CO 80202-1661

Upcoming events!

Moving People Forward

A new conference focusing on the future of transportation in Colorado communities Monday, February 6

Bike Day at the Capitol Gather at the capitol to show your support for bicycling Wednesday, March 1

Colorado Bicycle Summit

We are moving our seventh annual bicycle summit to the fall in 2017 Stay tuned for dates!

Gala Celebration

Our fundraiser for better bicycling, a party you don’t want to miss Friday, April 28

Support us on Colorado Gives Day! Tuesday, December 6 Schedule your donation today at coloradogives.org.

Give where you live. Support your statewide bicycling organization.

Building a bicycle-friendly Colorado | bicyclecolorado.org