Remember when voters approved borrowing almost a billion bucks in 2017 to build new stuff around the city? Part of that package included $18 million for protected bike lanes, or bikeways that physically buffer riders from cars with curbs or plastic posts.
Using some of those funds, Denver Public Works is baking its first new batch of protected bike lanes, seven of which will go live in 2020, according to Bicycle Colorado Denver Director Piep van Heuven.
Here's where to expect them:
- Green Valley Ranch on Green Valley Ranch Road between Tower and Picadilly roads
- Elyria-Swansea on Clayton Street from 40th to 52nd avenues (this one won't be built until after the I-70 project is done)
- Wash Park on South Marion Parkway between Virginia and Bayaud avenues
- Montbello on North Crown Boulevard from Albrook Drive to East 56th Avenue
- City Park on the Esplanade from 16th to 17th avenues
- Hampden South on Princeton Avenue from Eastmoor to Tamarac drives
- Jefferson Park on 23rd Avenue from Speer to Federal boulevards
- Stapleton on Central Park Boulevard from Montview Boulevard to 36th Avenue
Protected bike lanes are not new to the city, but they are sparse compared to the more traditional lanes painted on the periphery of busy roads. They also exist mostly on downtown streets, but this next batch is mostly outside of the downtown core.
The streets department is hosting public meetings for each one to get input before the lanes are designed and built.
