Boulder County Mountain Canyon Cyclist-Motorist

Working Group

October 29, 2009

Presentation Overview

• Outline the process, composition and deliberations of the Working Group

• Describe draft recommendations and implementation steps

• Solicit public input

Working Group Purpose

• Create an understanding of the issues and explore specific ways to increase safety and reduce frustration

• Develop principles and practical strategies to manage issues in the future and build relationships

Working Group Composition

– Cyclists• Recreational, professional and industry representatives

– Mountain community residents • Ward• Jamestown• Bar-K-Ranch• Lee Hill Drive• Others

– Motorists

– Boulder County Sheriff

– Boulder County Transportation

Working Group Process

– Convening and interviews in July and August 2009

– First Working Group meeting – August • Process overview and purpose, identify issues

including use of aerial maps

– Second Working Group meeting – August• Identify draft strategies including physical

improvements, messaging and enforcement

– Third Working Group meeting – September• Refine strategies and develop draft

recommendations

Working Group Parameters

– Focus on improving safety for all users on canyon roads through shared responsibility

– Address issues within county and local jurisdiction control

– Attention to both short-term solutions as well as long term remedies

Draft Recommendations

– Recommendations include the following categories

• Physical improvements, including signage and local improvements

• Role of Law Enforcement

• Education and Outreach

Physical Improvements

– Patrol and sweep canyon roads regularly to remove rock fall, remove overgrowth

– Place erosion/runoff barriers at critical locations

– Provide pullouts off canyon roads to provide a cyclist break space and to reduce congestion

– Evaluate need and feasibility of locations with restroom facilities

Signage Principles

Principles for Signage:• Clear and Simple • Targeted to specific locations (e.g. dangerous

curves) • Limited • Catchy but not distracting

Signage Information

– Post a welcome sign at the intersection of U.S. 36 and Left Hand Canyon

– Place signs to identify appropriate/safe cycling behavior

– Create on-road signage – Share the Road, Ride Right, Ride Safe (multiple times)

– Others

Review specific signage concepts during open house

Jamestown Specific Improvements

• Evaluate ways to make the Town Park more accessible and to manage bicycle-motorist-town congestion.

• Removal of part of fence• Flagstone area • Bike racks

• Evaluate a ‘pull-out’ area across from the street from the Fire Station

• Evaluate restroom facilities, particularly on busy weekends

• Place a collection box in the town park for cyclists willing to contribute to local improvements

Ward Specific Improvements

• Place a bike rack behind Utica Street Store • Paint speed limit signs on the road to encourage

speed limits

• Paint pedestrian cross walk at strategic locations

• Place signs to indicate town limits to encourage sharing road.

• Encourage cyclists to move off of the road when stopped in town

Law Enforcement

• Implement a staged education/enforcement process in 2010

– Provide visible presence by Sherriff’s office to educate motorists and cyclists about driving/riding in canyons

– Issue warnings to motorists/cyclists and distribute educational materials

– As a final step, ticket those not obeying laws

• Patrol canyons on bicycles on busy weekend days

• Patrol at strategic locations where problems are occurring

• Interpretation of Impeding Traffic

• Working Group members, Sherriff’s office and others serve as ambassadors

• Post information regarding the canyon rides on the County website

• Coordinate with car clubs and organizations (AAA)

• Create ‘viral’ video to disseminate to bike clubs and others regarding bicycle etiquette

• Communicate information via electronic bulletin boards to keep mountain communities informed

• Hold meetings with Denver/Boulder public school bus drivers to discuss driving in canyons

Education and Outreach

• Working Group will correspond and meet to: – Review and incorporate public input

– Finalize key messages and outreach information

– Define implementation steps for Spring 2010

– Establish future roles and responsibilities

Next Steps and Implementation

• What comments do you have regarding the overall effort?

• What comments do you have regarding the draft recommendations?

• What other ideas/strategies do you have to support the Working Group’s goal?

Public Input

Ground Rules

• Be respectful, even if you have a differing viewpoint

• Be concise and to the point

• Questions and input will be addressed/ discussed at the end of the comment period

• If your point/issue has been addressed, please hold your comment until others have had an opportunity to address their suggestions/concerns

• Speak to the issues related to the mountains canyons addressed by this Working Group

Boulder County Mountain Canyon Cyclist-Motorist

Working Group

October 29, 2009