OPINION 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 haz6
NOVEMBER 30, 2023
NEWS ard 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. This opinion does not necessarily reflect the view of Boulder Weekly.
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NOW YOU KNOW Boulder County news at a glance BY SHAY CASTLE
REPORTED HATE RISES ON CAMPUS
Reports of antisemitic and Islamophobic discrimination have significantly increased at CU Boulder in the wake of the Israel-Hamas conflict, according to campus officials. CU Independent reported that there were 44 incidents of harassment or discrimination in the five weeks following the Oct. 7 terrorist attack on Israel by militant group Hamas, compared to four such reports during the same time last year. The actual number of discriminatory events may be higher, as not all students, faculty and staff are reporting their experiences to CU’s Office of Institutional Equity and Compliance (OIEC), which tracks incidents. Students have reported being yelled at and threatened, according to CU Independent. University officials, including Chancellor Phil DiStefano, have released statements condemning discrimination and encouraging people to contact OIEC or campus police. The rise in hate on campus mirrors reported increases in antisemitic and Islamaphobic incidents nationally. Read CU Independent’s full story at bit.ly/campusdiscrimination.
COUNTY LOAN HELPS COMMUNITY
Boulder County is providing a $1.1 million loan to help residents of Lafayette’s Mountain View Mobile Home Park buy their community. County commissioners last week approved the 30-year loan of $1,055,000. Affordable housing-focused nonprofit Thistle, the City of Lafayette, the Colorado Department of Local Affairs and Denver-based community organization Together Colorado also provided grants, lowinterest loans and other assistance to La Luna Cooperative, the group formed last year by Mountain View residents to purchase their park. Resident-owned communities (ROCs) are becoming more popular after Colorado in 2020 passed legislation that allows residents to purchase manufactured home communities if current owners plan to sell or change what the property is used for. ROCs can protect residents from cost increases and predatory practices as more mobile home communities are sold to investors. There are eight resident-owned mobile home communities in Colorado, according to ROC USA. Thistle, a local ROC USA affiliate, has helped six parks convert to ROCs since 2018. The 34-home Mountain View is the latest Boulder County park to be purchased by its residents. San Souci, a 62-home community located just south of Boulder, became a ROC in 2021 after first being purchased by controversial Colorado-based RV Horizons, which has been criticized for its practices in buying up mobile home and RV parks and then dramatically raising rents and evicting long-time tenants.
BOULDER WEEKLY
