Bryan Wilson
Below was my thread primarily with Stephen Rijo.
Helps illustrate the resistance in Congress Park to Bike Mobility.
From: Bryan Wilson <bjwil...@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, Jul 23, 2019, 7:17 AM
Subject: Re: [EXTERNAL] High Comfort Bikeways
To: Rijo, Stephen A. - PW CE0429 City Planner Senior <stephe...@denvergov.org>
Thanks for your guidance and sounds good. Do you know when the newsletter goes out?
Stephen Rijo
Denver Public Works | Transportation & Mobility720.913.0721 Phone | 303.829.6645 Cell
From: Bryan Wilson <bjwil...@gmail.com>
Sent: Thursday, July 18, 2019 4:38 PM
To: Rijo, Stephen A. - PW CE0429 City Planner Senior <stephe...@denvergov.org>
Subject: Re: [EXTERNAL] High Comfort Bikeways
I wasn't planning on drafting anything, so if you want to make a statement for the Newsletter just reply to the thread.
Sorry my neighbors are so rediculous.
On Thu, Jul 18, 2019, 4:35 PM Rijo, Stephen A. - PW CE0429 City Planner Senior <stephe...@denvergov.org> wrote:
Thanks for the suggestion and your rational take on this Bryan. We are working on scheduling some additional time in the near future to come discuss this with you and your neighbors, in addition to the many other transportation recommendations in the plan.
Please let me know if I can help you with putting this blurb together as I agree misinformation often leads to confusion, confusion often leads to fear, and decisions made from a place of fear rarely maximize utility for anyone involved. Let me know how to help and talk soon.
Best,
Stephen Rijo
Denver Public Works | Transportation & Mobility720.913.0721 Phone | 303.829.6645 Cell
From: Bryan Wilson <bjwil...@gmail.com>
Sent: Wednesday, July 17, 2019 6:23 AM
To: cpnb...@congressparkneighbors.org; tom....@congressparkneighbors.org
Cc: Rijo, Stephen A. - PW CE0429 City Planner Senior <stephe...@denvergov.org>; Hinds, Chris - CC XA1404 Member Denver City Council <Chris...@denvergov.org>; Robinson, Scott D. - CPD City Planner Senior <Scott.R...@denvergov.org>; Chase, Ian <Ian....@hdrinc.com>; Brad Segal <br...@pumaworldhq.com>
Subject: Re: [EXTERNAL] High Comfort Bikeways
Hello CPN Board,
Would be great if we could put a little blurb in the Newsletter to educate the Neighborhood.
Seems like many are doing their own research and misinterpreting the information.
Thanks!!!
On Tue, Jul 16, 2019, 10:04 AM Brad Segal <br...@pumaworldhq.com> wrote:
Yep, happy to share my email. Thanks Bryan!
B
From: Rijo, Stephen A. - PW CE0429 City Planner Senior [mailto:stephe...@denvergov.org]
Sent: Tuesday, July 16, 2019 9:54 AM
To: Bryan Wilson <bjwil...@gmail.com>; Brad Segal <br...@pumaworldhq.com>
Cc: Hinds, Chris - CC XA1404 Member Denver City Council <Chris...@denvergov.org>; cpnb...@congressparkneighbors.org; Robinson, Scott D. - CPD City Planner Senior <Scott.R...@denvergov.org>; Chase, Ian <Ian....@hdrinc.com>
Subject: RE: [EXTERNAL] High Comfort Bikeways
Hi Bryan – The links I mentioned in Brad’s excerpt were to the neighborhood bikeways page I sent you yesterday. There are sub-links on that page to examples, photos, and conceptual/final designs from our current neighborhood bikeways on several streets around Denver to help you visualize what this may look like in your neighborhood. Neighborhood bikeways are very case-specific and the improvements vary from intersection to intersection, so while it is hard to speak about them in generalities, you’re correct that they focus on intersection improvements to slow or limit driving speeds/volumes while leaving the blocks in between nice and shared streets for people (walking, biking, playing, parking etc.)
I think Brad would be fine with you sharing his email, but will let him weigh in there.
I appreciate your thoughts and insights as they are all helpful. This has certainly highlighted a need for improved collateral about neighborhood bikeways on our site. Please let me know if you have future questions or I can help answer any questions you hear from your neighbors.
Best,
Stephen Rijo
Denver Public Works | Transportation & Mobility720.913.0721 Phone | 303.829.6645 Cell
From: Bryan Wilson <bjwil...@gmail.com>
Sent: Tuesday, July 16, 2019 9:32 AM
To: Brad Segal <br...@pumaworldhq.com>
Cc: Rijo, Stephen A. - PW CE0429 City Planner Senior <stephe...@denvergov.org>; Hinds, Chris - CC XA1404 Member Denver City Council <Chris...@denvergov.org>; cpnb...@congressparkneighbors.org; Robinson, Scott D. - CPD City Planner Senior <Scott.R...@denvergov.org>; Chase, Ian <Ian....@hdrinc.com>
Subject: Re: [EXTERNAL] High Comfort Bikeways
Brad, this is perfect!
Thank you so much.
You mentioned some links to examples, do you mind sharing with me?
Also, is it OK if I share some of your response in that ND Thread?
On Tue, Jul 16, 2019, 7:32 AM Brad Segal <br...@pumaworldhq.com> wrote:
Hi Bryan – I am leading the consulting team assisting the city on the East Central Plan, plus a homeowner on the 1200 block of Detroit, so I have been following the Next Door exchange with dismay. You have certainly been a rational voice and that is much appreciated.
You might also find my response to my own neighbors (attached) helpful. Thanks again.
Brad Segal
President
Progressive Urban Management Associates
1201 East Colfax Avenue, Suite 201, Denver, CO 80218
Direct: 303-997-8754
From: Bryan Wilson [mailto:bjwil...@gmail.com]
Sent: Tuesday, July 16, 2019 6:00 AM
To: Rijo, Stephen A. - PW CE0429 City Planner Senior <stephe...@denvergov.org>
Cc: Hinds, Chris - CC XA1404 Member Denver City Council <Chris...@denvergov.org>; cpnb...@congressparkneighbors.org; Brad Segal <br...@pumaworldhq.com>; Robinson, Scott D. - CPD City Planner Senior <Scott.R...@denvergov.org>; Chase, Ian <Ian....@hdrinc.com>
Subject: Re: [EXTERNAL] High Comfort Bikeways
Thank you so much for the prompt response, Stephen!
Yes, I do believe that you answered my questions.
Are there any examples anywhere of how Detroit might change?
The residents on the street are understandably concerned that this could drastically change the look and feel of their respective block.
Your explanation seems like the streets themselves will be unchanged, just the intersections will get some adjustments.
Thank you so much for the response and clarification, Stephen!
On Mon, Jul 15, 2019, 6:00 PM Rijo, Stephen A. - PW CE0429 City Planner Senior <stephe...@denvergov.org> wrote:
Hi Bryan – Many thanks for your interest in our plan, and for reaching out. I’ve included our draft language about high comfort bikeways at the end of this email for context.
To answer your specific questions, a high comfort bikeway on a street like Detroit St. would most likely be a neighborhood bikeway where “the roadway design, signage and traffic calming measures are designed to emphasize multimodal travel, discouraging through traffic for motorized vehicles while preserving local access needs for residents.” Neighborhood bikeways are great options because they focus improvements at the intersections to gain these safety benefits without major impacts to the blocks in-between. A future public process would define the specifics of a neighborhood bikeway on Detroit St. while our plan is simply recommending this future study based on public comments about Detroit street’s connectivity to destinations to the north and south of our study area.
High comfort bikeways definition from draft plan text: “Streets that provide safe and comfortable bikeways allow people of all ages and abilities to bike for transportation, exercise, and enjoyment. In Denver, a variety of bikeways currently exist throughout the city, and many plans call to expand the number of streets with high comfort bikeways and to upgrade current routes with safer, more comfortable infrastructure. High comfort bikeways include, buffered bike lanes, neighborhood bikeways, protected bike lanes, and trails/shared use paths.”
Did that help answer your questions? Please let me know if you have additional questions as I am here to help and appreciate your comments.
Best,
Stephen Rijo
Denver Public Works | Transportation & Mobility720.913.0721 Phone | 303.829.6645 Cell
From: Bryan Wilson <bjwil...@gmail.com>
Sent: Sunday, July 14, 2019 10:10 PM
To: Rijo, Stephen A. - PW CE0429 City Planner Senior <stephe...@denvergov.org>; Hinds, Chris - CC XA1404 Member Denver City Council <Chris...@denvergov.org>
Cc: cpnb...@congressparkneighbors.org
Subject: [EXTERNAL] High Comfort Bikeways
Hello Stephen & Chris,
Chris, congrats on being elected!
Stephen, haven't learned much about you yet, but I'm hoping for a favor...
Could either of you please provide some info on High Comfort Bikeways and what it means for Residential Streets like Detroit?
Many in the neighborhood, myself included, are confused about what High Comfort Bikeways means for our neighborhood.
Can you please explain or provide more details?
Thanks in advance!
Bryan Wilson
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Brad Segal <br...@pumaworldhq.com>
To: Marie Moses <marm...@msn.com>, "lyssa_k...@yahoo.com" <lyssa_k...@yahoo.com>, "dmo...@fostergraham.com" <dmo...@fostergraham.com>, "leanne...@comcast.net" <leanne...@comcast.net>, "tme...@att.net" <tme...@att.net>, "bie...@comcast.net" <bie...@comcast.net>, "reco...@aol.com" <reco...@aol.com>, "jome...@yahoo.com" <jome...@yahoo.com>, "olen...@yahoo.com" <olen...@yahoo.com>, "b.gor...@gmail.com" <b.gor...@gmail.com>, "k.e.go...@gmail.com" <k.e.go...@gmail.com>, "richra...@gmail.com" <richra...@gmail.com>, "ro...@njhealth.org" <ro...@njhealth.org>, "judith...@gmail.com" <judith...@gmail.com>, "tracy...@aol.com" <tracy...@aol.com>, "rhs...@comcast.net" <rhs...@comcast.net>, "deba...@comcast.net" <deba...@comcast.net>, "mfine...@remax.net" <mfine...@remax.net>, "gfine...@remax.net" <gfine...@remax.net>, "toddyoun...@gmail.com" <toddyoun...@gmail.com>, "emmce...@gmail.com" <emmce...@gmail.com>, "markn...@gmail.com" <markn...@gmail.com>, "fkey...@yahoo.com" <fkey...@yahoo.com>, "rodne...@gmail.com" <rodne...@gmail.com>, "renee...@comcast.net" <renee...@comcast.net>, "mmo...@familylaw5280.com" <mmo...@familylaw5280.com>, "james....@novartis.com" <james....@novartis.com>, "Lisa O'Meara" <lome...@yahoo.com>
Cc:
Bcc:
Date: Mon, 15 Jul 2019 20:33:22 +0000
Subject: MISINFORMATION on Detroit Street Bike LaneNeighbors –
As some of you know, I am the principal of the consulting firm that is leading the East Central Plan process – a process than has been ongoing for nearly two years. I am also a homeowner on the 1200 block for the past 28 years. The Detroit Street bike lane issue is being propelled by misinformation on Next Door. Here are some FACTS and suggestions for productively moving forward:
FACT: Yes, the city has designated Detroit on planning maps as a “high comfort bike lane”. This is about the only accurate part of the story that you have been fed on Next Door.
FACT: Your neighbors on Next Door have withheld the explanation of this designation that was sent to them by city planners on July 8. Here is actual verbatim explanation from the planners – I have added emphasis: Our recommendation for a high comfort bikeway is based on community input, previous plans, citywide goals, and neighborhood connectivity, but the next step will be to conduct a design process to see what type of bike facility (ex. the type of bike lane) is right for Detroit St. While it is too soon to say exactly what that design process will recommend, I sense Detroit St. is more of a candidate for a neighborhood bikeway vs a protected bike lane and am happy to share links to examples in a separate email if you want additional details. Neighborhood bikeways focus more on limiting through traffic and lowering speeds so that folks feel safe biking on a shared street like you described in your original email as opposed to protected bike lanes that designate a space for biking separated by parked cars or a curb for example. I do want to reiterate that the design process that follows will define all of these details, and that what we are suggesting is to make Detroit St. safer for folks on bikes with a bike facility to be determined by a future public process.
FACT: The East Central Plan will not be considered by the City Council until December, at the earliest. There will be a public forum in September, a 60-day public review period and then review by the planning commission. Loading up the Council chamber next week may be viewed as counter-productive where there is plenty of time to work with this out with the planners.
SUGGESTED NEXT STEPS: I don’t think any of us (including me, or the planners for that matter) think that a “dedicated bike lane” is appropriate on our street. Furthermore, NO ONE other than the Next Door online community is considering a one-way street or taking out medians. Taking out parking is also a non-starter. Therefore, let’s take a breath and develop a position for the city planners to review. I’d suggest that the position state our collective disapproval for a dedicated bike lane. But perhaps we should consider the pros and cons of a “neighborhood bikeway” – this WOULD NOT CHANGE THE SREET IN ANY WAY. It could also include benefits such as enhanced crosswalks at busy streets (i.e. 13th, 14th) and could ACTUALLY SLOW TRAFFIC that routinely speeds on our street. Finally, we have plenty of time left in the planning process.
Please contact me for any additional information and FACTS.
Brad Segal
President
Progressive Urban Management Associates
1201 East Colfax Avenue, Suite 201, Denver, CO 80218
Direct: 303-997-8754
From: RUTH SEGAL [mailto:rhs...@comcast.net]
Sent: Monday, July 15, 2019 1:53 PM
To: Brad Segal <br...@pumaworldhq.com>
Subject: Fwd: Important City Council Meeting on July 22nd
FYI - Marie Moses started this one…
Ru
Ruth Hart Segal
Phone: 303-250-4043
email: rhs...@comcast.net
Begin forwarded message:
From: Lisa O'Meara <lome...@yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: Important City Council Meeting on July 22nd
Date: July 15, 2019 at 7:16:49 AM MDT
To: Marie Moses <marm...@msn.com>
Cc: lyssa krumholz <lyssa_k...@yahoo.com>, David Moses <dmo...@fostergraham.com>, "leanne...@comcast.net" <leanne...@comcast.net>, "tme...@att.net" <tme...@att.net>, "bie...@comcast.net" <bie...@comcast.net>, "reco...@aol.com" <reco...@aol.com>, "jome...@yahoo.com" <jome...@yahoo.com>, olena hm <olen...@yahoo.com>, Bree Gorynski <b.gor...@gmail.com>, k e gorynski <k.e.go...@gmail.com>, "richra...@gmail.com" <richra...@gmail.com>, "ro...@njhealth.org" <ro...@njhealth.org>, "judith...@gmail.com" <judith...@gmail.com>, "tracy...@aol.com" <tracy...@aol.com>, Ruth Segal <rhs...@comcast.net>, "deba...@comcast.net" <deba...@comcast.net>, Mike Finesilver <mfine...@remax.net>, Ginger Finesilver <gfine...@remax.net>, "toddyoun...@gmail.com" <toddyoun...@gmail.com>, "emmce...@gmail.com" <emmce...@gmail.com>, Faith Nuszer <markn...@gmail.com>, "fkey...@yahoo.com" <fkey...@yahoo.com>, "rodne...@gmail.com" <rodne...@gmail.com>, RENEE NAGLE <renee...@comcast.net>, "mmo...@familylaw5280.com" <mmo...@familylaw5280.com>, Jim ICE <james....@novartis.com>
Marie -
Thank you for the info on this matter. I saw this on NextDoor yesterday - had not realized this planning had been underway. I plan on attending the meeting July 22 and hope there is a strong showing of opposition.
Thanks again - Lisa
Sent from my iPhone
On Jul 14, 2019, at 9:45 PM, Marie Moses <marm...@msn.com> wrote:All:
Here is some additional information that I gleaned from the most recent informative post I saw on NextDoor. Note, I have edited out some of the snippy comments that were aimed at an annoying poster.
Vision Zero Denver indicates a high rate of safety for bicyclists and pedestrians in Congress Park and does not recommend changes to the configuration of our streets. (Page 6 of 2018 report: https://www.denvergov.org/content/dam/denvergov/Portals/705/documents/visionzero/Vision-Zero-2018-Annual-Report.pdf) Biking in Congress Park is very safe given the configuration of the streets and is not in need of any additional traffic calming measures.
Further, changes to the configuration of Detroit street would increase danger and discomfort for bicyclist and pedestrians by reducing friction for drivers as is explained by the National Association of City Transportation Officials.
The National Association of City Transportation Officials recommends that “lanes greater than 11 feet should not be used as they may cause unintended speeding and assume valuable right of way at the expense of other modes. This includes the use of wide outside lanes for bicyclist accommodation. Wide outside lanes are not an effective means of accommodating bicyclists in urban areas.”
(https://nacto.org/publication/urban-street-design-guide/street-design-elements/lane-width/#footnotes)
Additionally NACTO reports that ‘Restrictive policies that favor the use of wider travel lanes have no place in constrained urban settings, where every foot counts. Research has shown that narrower lane widths can effectively manage speeds without decreasing safety, and that wider lanes do not correlate to safer streets.’
Eric Dumbaugh and Wenhao Li, “Designing for the Safety of Pedestrians, Cyclists, and Motorists in Urban Environments.” Journal of the American Planning Association 77 (2011): 70.
Finally, the reason we think the city plans to remove parking to execute on this plan is because in private emails with Senior City Planner Stephen Rijo who is responsible for this late addition to the plan, he has committed to not removing easements [MAM Note: I think this means sidewalks and trees] or making it a one way road but he will not address or commit to leaving the parking as is. The city will promise the other things but will not promise us that they will preserve the parking.
Detroit St is only 30’ wide meaning Detroit cannot spare even a foot and a High Comfort Bikeway by City definition means a Bikeway protected by some sort of barrier that is separate from a traveling lane.
Please . . . write to Stephen Rijo yourself and ask him to commit in writing to preserving our easements, all of our parking and to keeping a [two] way street. You can’t do all of those things while implementing this plan because the preservation of all of them would be impossible.
Marie Avery Moses
Lass Moses Ramp & Cooper, LLC
Sent from my iPhone
On Jul 14, 2019, at 7:36 PM, lyssa krumholz <lyssa_k...@yahoo.com> wrote:Marie,
Thank you for alerting us to this! We just found the plan on the city’s website. It looks like everything you’ve heard is accurate. Here’s a link:
-Lyssa
On Jul 14, 2019, at 5:05 PM, Marie Moses <marm...@msn.com> wrote:Detroit Street Neighbors:
Some of you may have heard by now, but apparently Detroit Street is being considered for a "High Comfort Bike Lane" which has the potential of resulting in the elimination of our on-street parking or possibly Detroit Street becoming a one way street.
My information is limited, and sketchy at best, so I am open to having someone correct the record, if I am mistaken. But, here is what I have heard:
1) The most recent version of some city plan has Detroit Street (between 6th and 17th) marked as a High Comfort Bike Lane.
2) High Comfort Bike Lanes are the ones that you may have seen around town that involve green paint and some sort of divider that separates bikes from traffic.
3) Since Detroit Street is a narrow street, creating the high comfort bike lane would likely require the elimination of on-street parking on Detroit Street.
4) Some people think that eliminating parking is the first step in Detroit Street becoming a one-way street for cars.
I am distressed by this news. I worry about the elimination of on-street parking (since our garage doesn't fit a car)--but even more, I worry about anything that will threaten our "sleepy" neighborhood street. If I had wanted to live on a high traffic street, I would have paid less money and bought a house on a high traffic street.
It is my understanding that this topic will be up for discussion at the next Denver City Council Meeting on Monday, July 22nd. I think that the public comment section of the meeting starts at 5:00pm, followed by the Council meeting at 5:30pm. I think the meeting is in Room 450 of the City and County Building.
I am planning on attending, and I have heard that it is important for as many neighbors as possible to attend the meeting to express opposition to the plan--or to at least express that we want more time to comment on the plan, understand the proposal, etc..
If anyone has more information about the proposal, I would love to hear from you.
Sincerely,
Marie Moses