The Need for Improved Infrastructure
On March 10, the Grand Junction Police Department responded to a vehicle versus pedestrian crash near 27 Road and H Road, leaving the pedestrian with serious bodily injuries. This incident highlights the ongoing struggle to ensure the safety of cyclists and pedestrians in Grand Junction, a city that has been taking steps to improve its bike and pedestrian infrastructure in recent years. Statistics Show a Need for Change
While the City of Grand Junction has made significant progress in addressing the lack of bike lanes and pedestrian infrastructure, the data suggests that more needs to be done. According to the Grand Junction Police Department, crashes involving cyclists and pedestrians are not decreasing, despite the efforts to improve infrastructure. This indicates that the current measures are not sufficient to address the concerns of the community.
The Bike and Pedestrian Safety Plan
In May 2023, the City of Grand Junction passed a comprehensive bike and pedestrian safety plan aimed at improving conditions for cyclists and pedestrians. The plan focuses on addressing the following key areas:
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- Adding more buffered bike lanes
- Wider sidewalks
- More detached trails
- Slowing driving speeds on some roads
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The plan also examines the existing infrastructure in Grand Junction, which is found to be lacking in several areas. According to the report, the community desires to be able to walk and bike more frequently and to more places in Grand Junction, but is not comfortable doing so due to inadequate infrastructure and gaps in the pedestrian and bicycle network.
Current Projects and Initiatives
The city has implemented several projects to address the shortcomings of the infrastructure. Some of the notable initiatives include:
| Project | Location | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Upgraded 24 Road | By adding wider bike lanes, a detached trail, an underpass under G Road, and bike lanes on G Road | |
| Crosby Avenue Improvements | A $3 million project that will construct bike and pedestrian improvements on Crosby Avenue, as well as improve the roadway itself | |
| Monument Connect Phase 2 trail | A project that will connect Lunch Loops to South Camp Road, with a total budget of $1.5 million | |
| Four Canyons Parkway Improvements | A $1.48 million project that will add detached 10-foot paths and buffered bike lanes |
Community Engagement and Education
The city recognizes the importance of educating the community about bike safety and has invested in various initiatives to promote awareness and understanding. Some examples include:
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- Cycling instructor seminars
- Green striping across intersections to help people be aware of potential conflict points
- A pilot project on Fourth and Fifth streets to slow traffic and add a buffered bike lane
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According to Grand Junction Engineering and Transportation Director Trent Prall, the city is committed to creating a better user experience for cyclists and pedestrians. The city has updated its transportation engineering design standards (TEDS) in December 2023 to reflect the changing standards for bike and pedestrian safety infrastructure.
“Standards have definitely changed over the last 30 years,” Prall said. “We’re trying to create infrastructure that handles all modes of transportation.”
Conclusion
The challenges faced by Grand Junction in improving its bike and pedestrian infrastructure are complex and multifaceted. However, the city’s commitment to addressing these issues and its efforts to engage with the community have shown promise. As the city continues to invest in bike and pedestrian infrastructure, it is essential to prioritize education and awareness to ensure a safe and welcoming environment for all users.
