Reader: Broadway Is So Busy, Giving That Lane to Bikes Is Crazy

A dozen years after Westword did its first profile of Broadway, we returned to this "magnificent thoroughfare" and detailed how Denver's booming economy has affected the road from top to bottom. But there's no development that captures the public's imagination — and anger — more than the pilot bicycle-lane project,

By Patricia Calhoun

June 25, 2017

Westword

[
        {
          "name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Inline Content - Mobile Display Size",
          "component": "12017618",
          "insertPoint": "2",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "2"
        },{
          "name": "Editor Picks",
          "component": "17242653",
          "insertPoint": "4",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "1"
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "18838239",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Combo - Inline Content",
          "component": "17261320",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "18838239",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Air - Leaderboard Tower - Combo - Inline Content",
          "component": "17261321",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        }
      ]

A dozen years after Westword did its first profile of Broadway, we returned to this "magnificent thoroughfare" and detailed how Denver's booming economy has affected the road from top to bottom. But there's no development that captures the public's imagination — and anger — more than the pilot bicycle-lane project, Denver Moves Broadway. Says one reader:

With a city as congested as Denver, limiting the amount of street for drivers is crazy. There is also the issue of parking spaces and how the business owners along Broadway are losing business.

Adds Anwar:

Bicyclists don't even use the lane that is there *now.* I'm a cyclist and even I think this a waste for this stretch of Broadway. Most cyclists are so stupid that they ride in the middle of lanes, anyway.

Responds Justin:

I'm a bike commuter, too, and it's true - I see too many of us cruising in traffic without helmets or lights when there are perfectly good bike lanes on the side. A complete route from South Broadway into downtown would be amazing and a big safety improvement, if it's used. I think proper enforcement for a season would change things.

Adds Lee:

Plus, it's a pain to turn left off of Broadway now. Cars just sit there idling and backing up traffic waiting for nobody.

Concludes Sean:

Yet this once again will only slow the flow of traffic.

What do you think of the bike lane on Broadway? Should Denver keep it? Move it?

KEEP WESTWORD FREE... Since we started Westword, it has been defined as the free, independent voice of Denver, and we'd like to keep it that way. Your membership allows us to continue offering readers access to our incisive coverage of local news, food, and culture with no paywalls. You can support us by joining as a member for as little as $1.

Patricia Calhoun is editor-in-chief of Westword, the alt-weekly she co-founded in September 1977. She’s been inducted into the Colorado Press Association Hall of Fame, the Association of Alternative Newsmedia Hall of Fame and the Colorado Restaurant Association Hall of Fame. She’s also received dozens of local, state and national awards for writing, including first place for feature writing and first place for column writing with the Society of Professional Journalists. Patricia is a weekly commentator on Colorado Inside Out, PBS 12's public affairs roundtable, which has won two Emmys.

Contact: Patricia Calhoun

Follow:

Facebook: patricia.calhoun.927