Bike lane controversy heats up in Colorado Springs

Colorado Springs prides itself as a city where fitness and outdoor activities are part of the lifestyle, yet many citizens disagree on the need for bike lanes.

In the past few years, a debate has grown about how bike lane locations are chosen, whether they’re too wide or too narrow and whether they improve safety for cyclists, as city officials believe.

For example, many people have complained about the recent widening of bike lanes on Cascade Avenue downtown, which eliminated a lane of through traffic and often causes additional traffic congestion.

KRDO NewsChannel 13 found a mixed opinion about the lanes Wednesday from drivers on Cascade.
“I agree they’re a little confusing,” one driver said.

“I think they’re incredible,” said another driver.

Supporters say wider bike lanes increase safety for cyclists and make getting around the city easier. Opponents, however, say the lanes are in areas where traffic is already heavy and can’t afford to lose any traffic lanes.

Allen Burton, a local homeless man who rides his bike often, said he prefers to use the sidewalk because he doesn’t trust drivers to respect bike lanes.

“I was hit by a car once while in a bike lane,” he said. “No matter how wide they are, drivers don’t always obey them.”

In some cases, such as on Walnut Street just west of downtown, neighbors requested bike lanes to help reduce the number of speeders.

Two years ago, so many drivers complained about placing bike lanes on Research Parkway that the city removed them.

The situation generated a 90-minute debate among city council members and citizens during the public comments period at Tuesday’s council meeting.

“I hope the bike lanes downtown will be removed and our streets will be restored to two lanes in each direction,” said Eric Arnol-Martin, a bike lane opponent.

“We’re not going to go away,” said Brian Potts, another opponent. “We’re going to get much more aggressive.”

Councilwoman Jill Gaebler objected to Potts’ tone.

“You’re going to get more aggressive if you don’t get your way?” she asked. “I find that threatening.”

Gaebler also defended Colorado College and its students, who received some criticism for bike lanes that slow traffic through the campus.

“Someone here called the students transients,” she said. “They’re kids. They pay to go to school here. They’re part of the city.”

City traffic engineer Kathleen Krager received some criticism from citizens for her role in the placement of bike lanes, but Gaebler defended her.

“Where the bike lanes go isn’t a council decision,” Gaebler said. “It’s decided by the mayor’s office. It’s an administrative decision.”

“But you should have some influence on that decision,” a citizen said. “You have a louder voice than the average person does.”

Gaebler also disagreed with citizens who said bike lane opponents are being ignored by the city.

“To suggest there was no public input is simply not true,” she said. “I’ve heard rude comments from the opposition.”

Some citizens said with bicycles being a large and profitable industry in the city, the expansion of bike lanes is a logical step that will increase tourism and boost the local economy.

One citizen said a public poll should decide where and how bike lanes are placed.

“I don’t think we should poll on everything,” said Councilman Don Knight. “But I get a lot of emails on this topic. When something is this upsetting and disruptive for this long, we’ve got to think of a solution — and I don’t know of anything better than a poll.”

Two local taxes generate around $500,000 annually for bike infrastructure in the city.