Key Takeaways
- Colorado plans to enhance its active transportation network, addressing pedestrian and cyclist safety amid rising fatalities.
- Statewide goals include increasing non-auto trips and expanding bike lanes and sidewalks by 2035.
- The plan will be updated every five years to ensure continuous improvement in transportation infrastructure.
Colorado’s Initiative for Safer Active Transportation
Recent reports indicate that a significant portion of Coloradans—up to one-third—may not have access to personal vehicles, highlighting an urgent need for safe walking and biking options. Between 2013 and 2023, pedestrian deaths in the state surged by 161%, while bicyclist fatalities rose by 67%. Despite comprising only 2.6% of traffic collisions in 2023, vulnerable road users accounted for 12% of all fatalities and 18% of serious injuries.
Darius Pakbaz, director of the Division of Transportation Development, emphasized the aim of the Statewide Active Transportation Plan: creating a safe, well-connected, and comprehensive network of bikeways, sidewalks, and trails. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to reduce transportation-related air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions by 2035, as outlined by Governor Jared Polis.
Among the plan’s ambitious targets are doubling the percentage of non-auto trips from 9.6% to 19.2%, constructing 3,540 miles of new bike lanes or separated paths, and adding 1,345 miles of sidewalks on streets that currently lack them. The draft plan also prioritizes safety, equity, and the enhancement of transportation options, strategically connecting various modes of transport to essential locations such as schools and parks.
In the initial phase, the state transportation department will assess existing infrastructure on state highways to identify gaps that necessitate urgent attention. By focusing efforts on projects that promise substantial improvements in safety for the most vulnerable users on the road, the plan aims to make Colorado’s streets safer for all.
The department has committed to revisiting and updating this plan every five years, ensuring that progress is measured and that adaptations are made in response to evolving needs. In total, these initiatives underscore a significant shift in Colorado’s transportation policy, striving to create an environment where all residents can navigate their communities safely and efficiently.
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