Letters to the Editor
Editor’s Note: Traffic is not a new topic in the neighborhood. But with school back in session the battle over the roads has landed front and center in many peoples’ minds. Over the past two months, cyclists and pedestrians have reported being hit, and nearly hit by cars. Online discussions on social media have generated hundreds of comments. Critiques have been directed at the city government over poorly maintained bike lines, and recently realigned (and often- confusing) traffic lanes through Park Hill. The following are firsthand accounts of frustrations. We will continue coverage of the topic in November. Submit your opinion or a personal story at editor@greaterparkhillnews.org. Deadline is Oct. 15.
Fear For My Life
By far, the biggest concern that I have as a bicycle commuter is the speed at which many drivers go, not just on streets like MLK, but also elsewhere in the neighborhood and city. I literally fear for my life given that the likelihood of a pedestrian or bicyclist is about 70 percent more likely to be killed if they’re struck by a vehicle traveling at 30 mph versus 25 mph. (AAA Foundation Safety Study). And the chances of being killed are even greater with a vehicle with a high center of gravity like a truck or SUV, and the increased popularity of those vehicles accounts for the 50 percent increase in pedestrian fatalities from 2009-2016. (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety). This makes places like Crested Butte or Breckenridge, where the speed limit is 20 mph, so much safer. It’s a shame that we can’t emulate mountain towns and do the same in Denver on bike routes. If you are a bicyclist, it’s dangerous out there with all the traffic; if you’re a driver please remember how much more likely speeding can kill someone!
Dan Shah, Park Hill
Ease Off The Gas
We’re fortunate that we live in a neighborhood where kids and adults can bike and walk as a part of their daily commutes. That welcoming sense of community is what drew my wife Laura and I to the neighborhood a few years ago. With the rapid growth of East Denver, we’ve seen an increase in commuters cutting through the neighborhood. Most weekdays I see kids trying to cross 23rd Avenue going to and from school, with speeding cars making a safe crossing precarious. A few commonsense improvements have been discussed to help add a layer of safety. One would be adding crosswalks at intersections with bus stops to help “encourage” drivers to ease off the gas pedal to allow neighbors to cross. The city has been receptive to certain ideas, but I would encourage neighbors to also reach out to 311 to advocate for action.
Jason Sanders, Park Hill
Not So Wonderful
I love Park Hill, but fast-moving traffic is making it not so wonderful. Over recent years, my neighbors and I have experienced a substantial increase in speeding on our street – with loudly zooming cars from early morning to night. A flashing speed test sign worked while in place, but the speeding continues. Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) is planned for East Colfax along with higher density apartments and retail, and at the same time traffic lanes will be decreased to one lane in each direction with limited turns from Colfax, bringing even more traffic into our neighborhoods. Many blocks east of Monaco lack sidewalks. Increased traffic already makes our streets less safe for pedestrians and cyclists. Residents of all ages and abilities, and most especially children, will be less safe. As cars and trucks must go somewhere, it will be to 13th, 14th, 17th, and Montview, with cut-throughs of impatient drivers via our narrower north-south streets. Denver clearly needs more efficient and affordable mass transit. BRT should be a win-win, but neighborhoods bordering Colfax will fully bear the cost.
Peggy Hammond, Park Hill
Hit While Bicycling
Particularly after I got hit while bicycling to work this summer (using a city bike lane that, in my opinion, was not well-designed), I have started thinking more critically about pedestrians and bicycles. A lot more work can and needs to be done to improve the ability of pedestrians to walk and bicyclists to ride more safely in our community. I hope that robust dialogue, like that occurring at the last Greater Park Hill Community meeting, continues and that the community makes progress on traffic-related issues in the near future. (And I’m fine, it was nothing serious, just a bunch of scrapes and bruises – fortunately.)
Mike Eitel, Park Hill