The City of Boulder is now planning a major upgrade to Iris Avenue between 28th Street and Broadway, with the design to be completed by mid 2024. Safety improvements for pedestrians and bikes are to be included in the redevelopment.
The current roadway and bike lanes on Iris are already suitable for safe and effective bicycle travel, even though the bike lane would be more comfortable if it was two feet wider. The safety of Iris is supported by the City of Boulder Crash Data, which shows the absence of any car-overtaking-bike accidents in this corridor since 2017.
I am optimistic that an improved Iris will maintain its status as the best east/west route for bicycles in the northern Boulder vicinity. Here are my hopes for the project:
Don’t ruin the corridor for bikes. It’s crucial not to replicate the problems introduced for bikes with the North Broadway Reconstruction project, as outlined in my review for Boulder Beat.
Given the limited overall width of Iris Avenue, it’s essential to avoid compromising usable space with curbs, mountable curbs, grates, rumble strips, bollards or similar obstructions that pose risks to cyclists. The safest approach for cyclists is to travel at the same level as the road, without any so-called “protection” structures.
It’s important to recognize that no structure can absolutely guarantee protection from motor vehicles, especially when operated by impaired or highly distracted drivers. The primary safeguards for bikes are in fostering cooperation among all road users and ensuring competence in operating both bicycles and cars.
Designate the right lane for cars and bikes. If wider bike lanes are not possible because of the constrained width of Iris Avenue, I suggest that the City maximize the width of the right traffic lane and designate it for both cars and bicycles, without any obstructions or bike lane markings.
Instead, utilize prominently sized lettering that displays CARS/BIKES on the surface of the right lane, making it clear that both vehicle types can freely use the lane as necessary to ensure safety. To enhance safety at intersections, avoid implementing specific stripe treatments. Instead, encourage cars and bicycles to execute right turns from a position close to the curb, thus eliminating the risk of bicycles being cut off by right-turning traffic.
Improve the sidewalks. For cyclists who choose not to use the roadway, or those who may not possess the necessary skill level for road cycling, the sidewalk becomes the favored alternative.
To cater to this preference, enhance the sidewalks on both sides of Iris Avenue. A sidewalk upgrade should accommodate not only bicycles but also other personal transportation devices like electric scooters.
To ensure proper usage and safety on sidewalks, the City could adopt rights-of-way guidelines as detailed in my Boulder Beat editorial.
Enforce the speed limit. While the existing speed limit of 35 mph is sensible, numerous vehicles surpass this range by 5-10 mph.
Speeds over 35 mph pose a hazard to all vehicles, including cars and bicycles, given the reduced reaction times on a crowded roadway such as Iris. If required, consider advanced technologies like automatic speed cameras and other AI-driven solutions to effectively curtail speeding and ensure a safer environment for road users and pedestrians alike.
Give away bike lights and mirrors. It is my observation that most bike accidents, including collisions with cars, are due to improper bicyclist behavior. The City should initiate a campaign to enhance the competence of Boulder’s cyclists.
There are two primary factors that significantly contribute to reducing the likelihood of bike accidents, irrespective of the city’s infrastructure improvements. These factors are increased situational awareness for cyclists and heightened visibility of bicycles within the traffic flow.
As part of the Iris Improvement Project, I propose that the City take steps to augment cyclist awareness and visibility. This can be achieved by distributing, at no charge, mirrors and lights to willing bicyclists.
The use of mirrors offers a substantial improvement in situational awareness by allowing cyclists to have a comprehensive view of their surroundings. Installing front and rear bike lights enhances visibility, effectively alerting other vehicles to the cyclist’s presence and position.
This reflects the rationale behind cars having multiple mirrors and lights that are operational during daylight hours. Such an inexpensive initiative can significantly contribute to a safer cycling environment in the city.
Richard Kiefer reports on cycling and related issues. He has lived in Boulder since 1970 and is a big believer in civil conversations.
This opinion does not necessarily reflect the views of Boulder Weekly.
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