Is Denver cycling friendly, or are all the Pickups and SUVs wanting to kill us? (Boulder: homes, neighborhoods)

[woob]

Generally in Denver I find cars to be considerate and aware of bikers, but I do get honked at more often than I did in NYC even. This video from longmont made the news recently-


Insane Driver who obviously doesn't like people on bikes - YouTube

[Mike from back east]

Bing this for more info.

This posting indicates the driver was issued a ticket for harassment.

[snofarmer]

Yes, every suv and truck owner by law has to have a passenger in the vehicle, their job is to open the door and hit you so you fly off of the road.

[TigerLily24]

Lots of people commute via bicycle in Denver. The streets are full of cyclists morning and evening rush. Great for their pocketbooks, not so great for pedestrians who actually do obey the traffic lights

[WiW]

Denver has a lot of bike paths and also dedicated bike lanes that take you all over the city. The Denver City bike map shows preferred bike routes & they seem to work pretty well.

Bike Maps

I have found most drivers to be considerate and enjoy riding on the roads just as much as on the trails.

Crap happens even when you're behind the wheel of a car.

[Ming Ming]

I hate sharing the road with Cyclists!

[rushhournewb]

Originally Posted by Ming Ming

I hate sharing the road with Cyclists!

You can't be serious. Are you? If so, whence the hate?

[jamesdenver]

Despite the constant moronic comments from anti-cyclists (above) and militant responses from cyclists rights, both ridiculously ubiquitous in every discussion board and stirred by by local media because they know it nets tons of responses and hits to trollish comments (again, see above) the reality is Denver is quite cyclist friend in the city and inner ring cities. Further out it's more challenging because of suburban design: Wide super-arterials and a non-grid layout.

I've biked regular for years, including to work and back. I've rarely encountered angry motorists and motorists/cyclists/scooter/motorcycles seem to flow and get along quite well.

If you have a regular route you're doing you'll find good routes with time and a few practice runs. There are bike designated streets, but often these - for example Steele from I-25 to Exposition is a bike route but it's narrow and the pavement is terrible. 12th Avenue east of downtown is a bike route, but the lights are timed badly for bikers and traveling westbound it's easier to use 13th - which is three lanes and grading downhill you move about the same pace as cars.

The trails are great if going they're convenient to your destination - (Cherry Creek and Platte being the two most popular). However in good weather it's often wiser to avoid them since they're busier with joggers, walkers and dogs. (I'd rather ride with predictable traffic.)

So long as you're knowledgeable about urban cycling, being predictable to others and protecting yourself (when to take lane, door zone, etc) you'll be fine. - And don't let the constant yammering of people complaining about red light runner cyclists and angry motorists dilute your enthusiasm - it sounds like tough talk on message boards but it's rare in real life.

[Let's Go Here]

A message to all cyclists:

This is the 21st century. Most people use cars as their primary method of transportation. Buy a car and stop causing headaches for motorists. There are several bike trails throughout Colorado that were created with cyclists in mind.

Thanks

[jamesdenver]

A message to all cyclists:

This is the 21st century. Most people use cars as their primary method of transportation. Buy a car and stop causing headaches for motorists. There are several bike trails throughout Colorado that were created with cyclists in mind.

Thanks

As proven by my point above. I long stopped arguing about urban cycling benefits because frankly it's irrelevant. Bikes share the road. Trollish diatribes on message boards won't change that.

But I guess to respond - I do own a car, which I drive to the mountains, airport and camping. It doesn't make any sense to drive my SUV around my neighborhood when it's faster, cheaper, and more enjoyable by bike most days.