People have opinions when it comes to biking in Denver.
Some want more protected bike lanes along key transit routes in the city. Others think riding shared streets on quieter roads is the answer. Business owners tend to worry about the loss of parking, while many transit advocates feel the city prioritizes the comfort of drivers over pedestrians and cyclists.
It's an urgent issue as traffic deaths in 2022 are on track to surpass 2021 numbers.
If you want to have your voice heard on the issue, here's your chance.
The Mayor's Bicycle Advisory Committee, which advises the mayor, city council and city departments on biking in the city, is taking applications through Dec. 15. Members meet virtually at 5:30 p.m. on the first Thursday of each month, and advise Council and the Mayor on bike infrastructure planning.
"The city definitely relies on us and comes to us and asks our opinion," said chair and local crosswalk hero Amy Kenreich.
This year, the group sent letters to the Mayor with its opinion on the rejected I-25 expansion and the city's budget. Kenreich said they had a voice in citywide plans like Denver Moves Everyone and work to make the Cherry Creek Trail more accessible to cyclists. They also helped get more funding in the 2022 budget for Safe Routes to School, a plan Kenreich has advocated for that works to improve road safety for kids traveling to school.
As new people join the committee, Kenreich said she hopes people who do not fit the typical image of a cyclist apply -- particularly women and nonbinary people, people with disabilities and people of color.
"One thing that we struggle with is getting enough people with different backgrounds to apply," she said. "I want people to know that you don't have to be a 'serious bicyclist' or a 'fearless bicyclist' or an 'everyday commuter' or a 'road bicyclist' or anything like that to be on this committee. You can simply want to ride your bike, and that's enough, because that voice is really important."
The city is accepting applications until Dec. 15, with terms starting in January.
