Does Grand Junction Need More Bike Lanes?
There's talk of expanding the Grand Junction bike lane network.
On my way to work this morning I had to slow up a couple times to make room for a bicyclist in front of me. I was headed west on White Avenue near downtown and there were cars parked along both sides of the street. I had no choice but to stay behind him for a couple blocks until I could find a safe place to pass. I wasn't in a hurry but what l was late for work? Would I have been as accommodating?
May is Grand Valley Bike Month. It's a month-long celebration of the bicycle and its positive impact in the community. It's mission too is to remind is safety awareness. Bicycle Colorado is a force behind the movement. Their mission, "...we’ve used advocacy, education, and passion to make Colorado one of the most bicycle-friendly states in the nation. We encourage and promote bicycling, increase safety, improve conditions and provide a voice for people who ride bicycles in Colorado." Safety is an issue. A man on a bicycle was killed Monday afternoon at the intersection of 1st and North Avenue.
Is adding more bike lanes a solution or are there plenty already? Is spending more money on their construction going really address the safety concerns? It's becoming a big enough deal that Colorado State Representative Ray Scott plans to "work with law enforcement later this summer to bring more awareness and knowledge for drivers and cyclists about the Colorado bike laws." Really? How about both riders and drivers try to be more courteous watch out for each other? I don't think painting more lines on streets or having politicians "work with law enforcment" is going to really help the situation.
Credit: Westernslopenow.com