June 23, 2011 School, or at least some schools, has been out for a couple of weeks. The organized ride season is well on the way all around the country, pick one and support it, or at least your local bike to work day. There are municipalities all around the country that are now, finally, discussing usable bike paths, bike lanes and programs attempting to get catchy slogans to remind our motoring public that this is the season of more bicyclist out on the streets. As a thought, why were these discussions not held prior to now?
My local mini metropolis, Centennial Colorado, a southern border of Denver has been working on the blending of the motoring public, with bicyclist, walkers and joggers for more than eighteen months and is putting together a fantastic master plan. Like all Municipalities should, in a poor economy, they are attempting to connect routes and paths that already exist and flow in and out of neighboring municipalities. Kudos to them for a well thought out plan rather than a knee jerk reaction. I’m not saying other cities around the nation or even Colorado are not doing this but I do see plenty of headlines to the theme of “the village council of Badonkadonk" is starting discussions on improving bicycle traffic”. The Centennial master plan is even looking at bicycle commuters to see if it is feasible to get best routes for direct travelling. That, though very difficult, is fore thought just to think that progressively. Luckily, cyclist around the world are a self surviving group that find away to accomplish their needs in a safe as possible manner with or without a towns assistance.
Another benefit of having a well laid out bicycle system is being able to hold your own event. A neighboring village, Greenwood Village, just held their 16th annual Goose Chase. This has been a popular Run, Walk and Bike event for the recreational athlete for the past sixteen years. It has been a fun event that the city is proud of and has been a combined effort of the City, Wells Fargo Bank, and the chamber of commerce and many other supporters and volunteers. This year, of all years, it was not well attended mainly due to a late start on the organization. I said “of all years” because this was one of the best well marked courses they have had in years. The course was in and around the Cherry Creek State Reservoir operated by the United States Corps of Engineers which included a beautiful ride over the top of the dam which served up beautiful views of the mountains and down town Denver. The course then went out on city streets which had wide clean bike lanes. You then twisted down, across and up through the Denver Technology Center (DTC), Over Interstate I-25 and down around the Comfort Dental Amphitheater and through the Greenwood Plaza office park. All these interesting sites prior to going along the edge of fabulous homes, up to a State highway, also known as Belleview Avenue. This is where it was very impressive this year. The city had one lane totally coned off to major traffic giving the cyclists a long safe ride back to almost the finish. The only real downfall was, there appeared to be a confusion on the 45 mile loop as to circle the reservoir twice and then through the city or, circle the reservoir, through the city, and around the reservoir again. We had friends that did it both ways and seemed confused. All in all it was a good ride, good weather, good company and a very good lunch. The lunch was not all that healthy for that type of an event but it was good. If you missed it this year, think about it for next year. If the operation comes off the same way and gets the word out much sooner this will be a good, relaxed, low effort ride to get your kids introduced to group rides. Speaking of kids, my tall kid did the thirty mile with me; we started thirty minutes after the forty five milers and he finished about twenty minutes before the first rider on the forty five.
As far as your municipality goes if they have a pro-active engineering department that is looking out for you’re cycling safety and connivance, call or email them with a simple thank you. If they are not pro-active or just getting their talks started join in, get your thoughts and two cents in there, it beats complaining that nothing is being done.
Till Next Time
Ride Safe, Ride Fast As You Can, But Ride.
“G”
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