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City of Denver seeks input to plan future bike infrastructure

DOTI published a survey to gather feedback. They'll accept comments through Dec. 15.

DENVER — Denver's Department of Transportation and Infrastructure wants to plan future biking infrastructure, and they say they need residents' feedback.

"This is taking a 10,000-foot look at your bike network from a citywide view," Denver Senior City Planner Taylor Phillips said.

Phillips said they want to know things like where people want to bike but can't, because of safety issues or missing infrastructure.

“Where are you coming from? Where are you going to? How can we make sure that we make those connections for you so that folks can ride a bike safely and easily, and so that it can be a no-brainer when you’re trying to get from A to B?" she said.

DOTI published a survey to gather feedback. They'll accept comments through Dec. 15.  

Cyclists who talked to 9NEWS expressed hopes for better interconnectivity, with one rider pointing out the intersection of Alameda and Kalamath as particularly dangerous.

“When you’re crossing Kalamath Street, people are right turning on red and people are turning into you. It’s a really high-risk dangerous area. I’d like to see more infrastructure there," Forrest Hendricks said.

He acknowledged construction there is making it worse than usual, but said it's never great, and he would like to see some remedy now.

He also wanted more east-west routes.

"Paint doesn't count as infrastructure," he said. "If bike infrastructure won’t damage cars then it won’t actually protect cyclists. That being said, plastic bollards are a step in the right direction, but paint is negligible."

John Erhardt wants to see the city focus on infrastructure that would get people riding, who don't normally.

"Getting the people that won’t consider it, for whom it’s too scary, let’s get them out of their cars when it’s convenient to the grocery store, whatever," he said.

He said that would help alleviate traffic congestion, decrease pollution and increase safety.  He sees infrastructure that slows down drivers as a positive.

“When drivers complain they are confused by them, I say that’s a plus. If we can slow drivers down, because they’re not sure what they’re supposed to do at that intersection, that might save somebody’s life," he said.

DOTI doesn't have a timeline for its next set of projects, but the city last updated its bike infrastructure plan in 2015, and Phillips said they like to update it every 10 years.

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