Colorado Springs cyclists are sounding alarms over new bikes lanes at the Union Boulevard/Austin Bluffs Parkway interchange, calling them a dangerous, confusing addition at a time when the city is trying to become friendlier for bicycle commuters.
One of the offending lanes is shaped like a question mark, and it’s got veteran cyclists scratching their heads.
Cyclists complain that they feel vulnerable to being hit, especially if drivers forget to take the on-ramp and decide to take action at the last minute. The steepness of the road makes it difficult to get going from a dead stop, especially given the high speed of traffic on Austin Bluffs, they say.
The city’s response: Wait until it’s finished.
Although the bike lanes have been painted, work remains, including using green paint and other markings to make the bike lanes stand out, said Kathleen Krager, the city transportation manager. The idea, she said, is to communicate to cyclists that it is their responsibility to stop and yield to motorists at the off-ramp, traditionally a high-conflict zone.
Get .
