Opposing Bike Lanes in the Name of Historic Preservation

Can a bike lane threaten the historic character of a parkway? One group of local advocates in Denver thinks so.

1 minute read

June 5, 2019, 1:00 PM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


"A group of Denver residents has started a petition in hopes of preventing the city from modifying bike lanes in their neighborhood," according to an article by Kelly Wethman that accompanies the television news segment shown above.

The opposition to a proposal to add a "high comfort" protected bike lane on the Marion Street Parkway is stated specifically in the article by local resident Voradel Carey. "That would destroy the beauty of the current parkway and it doesn’t go with the Denver design guidelines," according to Carey's own words.

As Werthmann paraphrases it, Carey and about 100 others who signed the petition think a protected bike lane would "[threaten] the parkways’ protected status as a historical landmark."

The bike lane proposal is under consideration as one component of the Elevate Denver Bond Program, approved by Denver voters in 2017.

Monday, June 3, 2019 in CBS Denver

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

June 11, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Rendering of Shirley Chisholm Village four-story housing development with person biking in front.

San Francisco's School District Spent $105M To Build Affordable Housing for Teachers — And That's Just the Beginning

SFUSD joins a growing list of school districts using their land holdings to address housing affordability challenges faced by their own employees.

June 8, 2025 - Fast Company

Yellow single-seat Japanese electric vehicle drivign down road.

The Tiny, Adorable $7,000 Car Turning Japan Onto EVs

The single seat Mibot charges from a regular plug as quickly as an iPad, and is about half the price of an average EV.

June 6, 2025 - PC Magazine

People riding bicycles on separated bike trail.

With Protected Lanes, 460% More People Commute by Bike

For those needing more ammo, more data proving what we already knew is here.

1 hour ago - UNM News

Bird's eye view of half-circle suburban street with large homes.

In More Metros Than You’d Think, Suburbs are Now More Expensive Than the City

If you're moving to the burbs to save on square footage, data shows you should think again.

3 hours ago - Investopedia

Color-coded map of labor & delivery departments and losses in United States.

The States Losing Rural Delivery Rooms at an Alarming Pace

In some states, as few as 9% of rural hospitals still deliver babies. As a result, rising pre-term births, no adequate pre-term care and "harrowing" close calls are a growing reality.

June 15 - Maine Morning Star