Arguing the Merits of Protected Bike Lanes in Denver

The Denver Business Journal editor spoke out in opposition to a proposal to add bike lanes to Broadway in Denver. Streetsblog responded.

1 minute read

July 15, 2016, 8:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


The city of Denver is preparing to implement a reconfiguration of Broadway and Lincoln corridor. David Sachs describes the scope of the project:

Denver Public Works, backed by elected officials, will install avtwo-way, parking-protected bike lane on four blocks of Broadway next month — a temporary measure intended to lay the groundwork for a permanent bikeway between I-25 and Colfax. Broadway and its northbound counterpart, Lincoln, would both receive more effective bus lanes and safer pedestrian crossings as part of the project.

Yet, Neil Westergaard, editor of the Denver Business Journal, recently wrote an editorial critiquing the project [paywall], describing it, among other things, as "politically dead on arrival." He compares the project to a project in Boulder to add protected bike lanes on a section of Folsom Street. Boulder abandoned that project after two months "because of outcry from Boulder motorists." According to Westergaard, "If this idea can’t fly in Boulder, I doubt it can grow wings in Denver."

Westergaard's arguments don't sit with Sachs, who offers a detailed rebuttal, citing the case made by Denver Public Works about the inefficiency of Broadway, the support of the business community for the project, and some lessons from Copenhagen.

Tuesday, July 12, 2016 in Streetsblog 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.

July 2, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

White and purple sign for Slow Street in San Francisco, California with people crossing crosswalk.

San Francisco Suspends Traffic Calming Amidst Record Deaths

Citing “a challenging fiscal landscape,” the city will cease the program on the heels of 42 traffic deaths, including 24 pedestrians.

July 1, 2025 - KQED

Blue and silver Amtrak train at small station.

Amtrak Rolls Out New Orleans to Alabama “Mardi Gras” Train

The new service will operate morning and evening departures between Mobile and New Orleans.

July 3 - New Orleans City Business

Large spinning swing ride at Chicago's Navy Pier.

The Subversive Car-Free Guide to Trump's Great American Road Trip

Car-free ways to access Chicagoland’s best tourist attractions.

July 3 - Streetsblog Chicago

Aerial view of downtown San Antonio, Texas at night with rotating Tower of the Americas in foreground.

San Antonio and Austin are Fusing Into one Massive Megaregion

The region spanning the two central Texas cities is growing fast, posing challenges for local infrastructure and water supplies.

July 3 - Governing