Bicycling in Broomfield Open House, Followup, and, The Why?

by: Carson Blume

Ride Broomfield, as a 501(c)(3) non-profit community partner with the City and County of Broomfield (CCOB), proposed the idea of an enlightening open house on Bicycling in Broomfield for a simple reason. When listening to the community in person and watching social media posts about bicycle-related issues from individuals and organized groups, I observed a growing need for a better understanding of CCOB's efforts; this is entirely understandable for the average resident busy with daily life and getting informed on everything CCOB is doing to improve to your bicycling riding experience might be daunting, but this is where advocacy is supposed to come in but has failed to do so until now. Unfortunately, this lack of effective advocacy and spreading of uninformed information has led to misplaced frustration towards CCOB by some, and, as a by-product, those residents may begin to feel disenfranchised. I proposed this idea to offer the opportunity for these frustrated residents to get informed and ask their questions directly to the CCOB staff present on the specific concerns I have heard from them.

A sincere thank you to the City & County of Broomfield for considering Ride Broomfield’s request and hosting this first-ever event for bicyclists! Ride Broomfield appreciates our new partnership. Many thanks to the many staff members who were in attendance to answer questions, including Open Space & Trails, Parks, Traffic & Transportation, and Capital Projects!

Thanks to all the attendees for your active participation, last week’s event was a resounding success and overwhelmingly positive. With over 100 of you joining us, your presence created a vibrant atmosphere for dialogue and feedback. Your input and enthusiasm for bicycling were not just noticed but were absolutely crucial to the success of the event.

Image courtesy of Broomfield Lifestyle Magazine

At the Ride Broomfield table, many of you thanked us for convincing CCOB to put this event on, said that you learned a lot, and were impressed with the City & County’s projects and progress to improve and expand on bicycling in Broomfield. The completion of so many projects that were important to the community since the completion of the Broomfield Bicycle & Pedestrian Assessment, with more currently underway. Some of you had great ideas for future improvements, as well as, questions, comments, and some concerns. For instance, some of you were interested in more bike lanes, others were concerned about bike safety, and a few had questions about the maintenance of existing bike paths and how to get from point A to B safely and had connectivity concerns. These are all valid and important points, and Ride Broomfield is committed to addressing them with the City and County of Broomfield and the public. We are glad that so many attendees were able to connect directly with staff.

We have a long way to go, but we are committed to doing the work with you. Let's get informed, discuss the information, discover the root reasons why progress isn't faster, and develop ways to propel cycling culture in Broomfield forward. Your active participation and feedback are not just crucial; they are the driving force behind the future of bicycling in our community. Ride Broomfield sincerely appreciates the community showing up and your valuable contributions and want to assure you that Ride Broomfield is dedicated to addressing your concerns and improving the bicycling experience in Broomfield.

Unveiled at the Open House was the bikes@broomfield.org email that Ride Broomfield convinced CCOB to create. This email is designed to simplify contacting Broomfield about bike-related issues, making it easier for you to voice your concerns and suggestions. It's a direct line to CCOB, ensuring your feedback is heard and any immediate issues or concerns you have.

More detailed information to come in later posts. Subscribe to Ride Broomfield below to stay up to date!

A very special thanks to TREK Broomfield for providing the Bike Valet Parking!

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bikes@broomfield.org - A Simple Solution to a Complex Problem

Ride Broomfield endeavored to solve a complex problem with a simple solution. The issue involved determining which department to contact and whom to email when Broomfield residents wished to share their questions, comments, and concerns about biking in the area. Through our conversations with the community, it became clear that for the average resident, the first step to engaging with the City and County of Broomfield could be daunting. Residents often didn't follow through, and understandably so; with busy lives, figuring this out could be a significant time drain.

Ride Broomfield is thrilled to announce the launch of a new City and County of Broomfield email address, bikes@broomfield.org. This address is designed to streamline your bike-related inquiries to the city, making your communication process more efficient. You no longer need to email multiple departments individually. It's your starting point for all bike-related matters, offering a centralized point of contact for Parks, Open Space and Trails, Public Works, Planning, Transportation, and more. We want you to feel informed and connected.

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There will be Bicycle Valet Parking at the Bicycling in Broomfield Open House.

Thanks to the City of Broomfield and TREK Broomfield, there will be a Bike Valet at the Bicycling in Broomfield Open House, so if you ride your bike, there will be a safe place to park it!

Give your input on the Statewide Active Transportation Plan

CDOT is currently updating its Statewide Active Transportation Plan to significantly enhance biking and walking throughout Colorado.

The corridors this survey will have influence over in Broomfield include:

• Highway 36

• 120th Ave/CO-128/C0-287

• Highway 287

• Wadsworth Parkway/CO-121

• E Baseline Rd/CO-7

• I-25

This plan aims to bolster safety, equity, mobility, connectivity, and sustainability across the transportation system. The concept of active transportation encompasses all human-powered modes of transportation, such as walking, biking, and using scooters or wheelchairs. Since 2012, CDOT has achieved substantial progress in advancing active transportation goals and supporting local investment in related projects. Investing in active transportation can play a pivotal role in reducing traffic-related fatalities and serious injuries, achieving greenhouse gas emissions reductions, driving economic activity, and addressing health and safety inequities. CDOT is actively seeking public input through an initial survey to ensure that the updated Active Transportation Plan aligns with the priorities of the communities it serves.

Broomfield Transit Study

Especially in suburban communities like Broomfield, Bikes and public transportation complement each other perfectly, providing an efficient way to travel to and from transit without needing a car.

Join the City and County of Broomfield in their efforts to improve transit for all! The transit study aims to identify ways to enhance transit access for residents, commuters, and visitors of all ages, abilities, and incomes. Your input will help shape recommendations for more convenient and available transit options. Engage in the project's phases, including various methods such as a transit survey, summer event engagements, a virtual open house, and focus groups. Your feedback will shape the plan, ensuring the community's needs are met.

Bike and Roll to School Day is May 8th! Please be sure to register.

Registration for the 13th annual National Bike and Roll to School Day, scheduled for May 8th, 2024, is now open. You can register your events for the day, regardless of whether they will occur on that day. These events can inspire lasting change by addressing the need to make routes to school safer for active trips or encouraging children and teens to be more active. So, please register your events and support kids and their safe routes to school on walkbiketoschool.org

Want to start a bike bus for your school? Read the article below.

Reject long school drop-off lines; embrace the Ride Broomfield Bike Bus!

If you would like us to help form bike buses for your school, please contact us or join our Slack Team.

About Safe Routes to School

Safe Routes to School (SRTS) is a program administered by the Colorado Department of Transportation that aims to make walking and biking to school safer for children. By administering this program, Colorado is helping to build healthier and more active communities. SRTS programs provide opportunities for kids to get outside and exercise while also reducing congestion and pollution around schools. With the help of community partnerships, SRTS programs can create safer environments for everyone. By emphasizing safety and using resources to build programs, we can make walking and biking to school accessible for all children, including those with disabilities. Together, we can build a future where more kids are active, healthy, and happy.

More News

Reject long school drop-off lines; embrace the Ride Broomfield Bike Bus!

What is a Bike Bus? Basically, it is strength in numbers.

Bike buses, also referred to as cycling buses or bike trains, are a fantastic way to commute to work or school in an organized and safe manner. With a designated leader setting the pace and ensuring everyone stays together, riders can feel more visible on the road and promote a sense of community among fellow cyclists. By choosing to ride together, bike buses help reduce traffic congestion and carbon emissions, making it an environmentally friendly choice. Let's join hands and make a positive impact on our environment while enjoying the benefits of cycling through bike buses. For more information, check out https://bikebus.world/

If you would like to help form bike buses for your school or workplace and would like some help, please contact us and or join our Slack Team.