Denver Urbanism Push Part Of Progressive Agenda to Discourage Automobile Use

By Mike Rosen | Commentary, Complete Colorado

Bicycle lanes in Denver are much more than just a nuisance for motorists, they’re a small but glaring symptom of the radical progressive mentality of Democrats that have grossly mismanaged Denver government in recent years. This is a sad reflection on Denver voters, who have brought this on themselves.

Worse than useless and ridiculously underused, they obstruct traffic and pose a safety hazard for bicyclists and pedestrians. The lanes on Broadway north of Speer Blvd. are positively laughable, repositioning cars that were parked at the curb now out into a former traffic lane and inserting the bicycle lane in its place.  Vehicles making a left turn crossing that bicycle lane do so at the peril of cyclists, which can also be said of any bicycle rider in downtown Denver traffic.

The addition of bicycle lanes on four-lane thoroughfares throughout Denver has reduced them to only one lane in each direction squeezing vehicle traffic and making it worse. This is idiotic. On 16th Avenue, the bicycle lanes are accompanied by a barrier of white plastic bollards that won’t offer much protection from a weaving 5,000-pound Ford-150 pickup.

Anti-mobility

This isn’t Copenhagen where bicycles are fashionable and economical for young students.  Nor is this a less-developed country where the masses who can’t afford cars clog city streets with bicycles, scooters and rickshaws.  Bicycling is not desirable or practical for all but a tiny minority of commuters, especially during our cold, icy winters.  In other seasons, heat and rain will make for an arduous trip to the office and a malodorous day for nearby co-workers.

READ THE FULL ARTICLE AT COMPLETE COLORADO

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