Making Safer Routes for Pedestrians and Bike Riders in Walsenburg

Projects proposed by the Team

2014

Bike and Pedestrian Advocacy Team

Bike Routes

• From 2012-14 the Team gathered data from citizens about where they would like to bike and walk in the city.

• The data was put together and a Master Bike Route Map developed.

Master Bike Route Map of Walsenburg, Colorado

Bike Routes

• The Bike and Pedestrian Team presented the bike route plan to the Walsenburg City Council.

• The council agrees with and supports the plan to develop marked routes in the city.

• The City will work with the Bike and Pedestrian Team to mark sharrows on the routes.

Bike Routes

• There will be a “grand opening” celebration next spring with a Community bike ride.

Crosswalk Locations

• The main focus of the Team now is getting crosswalks constructed along the Bike routes.

• Three intersections are the main concern: All of them are on State Highways, therefore require CDOT approval.

• The intersections are:

At Spanish Peaks Library—Spruce and Walsen intersection

Spanish Peaks Library—Center of Block on Walsen Ave.

Sixth and Main Streets at Miners Plaza

Looking North on Main.

Sixth and Main Street at Miners Plaza

Panorama of intersection.

Sixth and Main Streets at Miners PlazaLooking South on Main.

Seventh and Ysidro Streets at Walsenburg Wild Waters

Safer Crosswalks

• Ideas the Team has considered for safer Crosswalks are:

– Signalized

– Rectangular Rapid Flashing BeaconsRRFB’s

– Bumpouts

• Each type has pros and cons.

Signalized

Pro: Only works when someone is ready to cross.Con: We do not have enough pedestrian traffic to justify.

Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons (RRFB’s)

Pro: Gets the attention of drivers that a crosswalk is occupied.Con: We do not have the year round vehicle count to justify RRFB’s.

Bumpouts

Slows, but does not stop traffic. Pedestrians have shorter distance

to travel across the intersection Bikes and Peds more visible to

drivers.

Pros: Cons:

City is concerned with snow removal at bumpouts

Businesses concerned about loss of parking spaces.

Narrow Bridge on Walsen Ave.

The bridge crosses a flood control ditch.

The shoulders of the bridge are very narrow, especially when there is snow.

Narrow Bridge on Walsen Ave.

CDOT rates the bridge as structurally sound with no plans for widening.

Many RE-1 students must cross this bridge to get to school.

This bridge is a problem for students and others who walk to First Choice and Family Dollar Stores.

Summary:

• # 1 Crosswalk at the Library

• # 2 Crosswalk at 6th and Main

• # 3 Crosswalk at Ysidro and 7th

• # 4 Narrow Bridge on WalsenAvenue