CDOT ADDS RUMBLE STRIPS TO NEW HIGHWAY 14 SHOULDERS

Back in September, YGR reported on the new shoulders that CDOT added along Colorado State Highway 14, in the Poudre Canyon. While CDOT made it clear that the shoulders were intended to decrease the likelihood of reentry crashes for motorists the cycling community generally assumed the shoulders would also give them a safer place to ride. That changed several weeks ago when CDOT began adding rumble strips to all six miles of the new shoulders. These safety measures rendered the new shoulders useless for cyclists by pushing them back into the lane and providing yet another obstacle for them to avoid. I’ve had several cyclists reach out to me to voice their opposition to the strips and to express their frustration that the safety of motorists was prioritized over the safety of vulnerable road users. These obstacles also directly contradict CDOT’s Statewide Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan that’s first listed goal is to “Enhance Safety…Reduce crash rate or potential threat of crashes”. You can read more about the plan here. According to the Traffic Engineer onsite CDOT plans to rumble strip all of the new shoulders along Highway 14 in the near future.

I encourage the cycling community to reach out to CDOT via the contact information below and be sure to CC or call Nate Vander Broek the Bicycle and Pedestrian Program manager. I also remind you that you are legally allowed to take the lane when you feel it is safe for you to do so.