The Colorado Department of Transportation's (CDOT) Transportation Commission unanimously adopted a landmark statewide bicycle and pedestrian policy on Thursday, October 15.

The new policy directs that, "...the needs of bicyclists and pedestrians shall be included in the planning, design and operation of transportation facilities, as a matter of routine...”

“Bicycles and pedestrians are viable transportation choices and this policy recognizes them as such,” said CDOT's Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinator Betsy Jacobsen.  “The policy will provide transportation infrastructure that accommodates bicycle and pedestrian use of the highways in a manner that is safe and reliable for all highway users.”  

Two Year Process
In 2007, the CDOT Transportation Commission instructed CDOT staff to begin evaluating its bicycle and pedestrian policies and practices. Staff convened a stakeholder group comprised of representatives from CDOT departments such as Right of Way, Planning, Engineering, Safety and Maintenance and external groups representing health, safety, local governments, state parks, bicycle and pedestrian advocacy groups.  The policy is a product of the input of all the stakeholders.   

Next Steps
CDOT Executive Director Russ George and the Executive Management Team will issue a Policy Directive detailing implementation plans.  The Directive will guide CDOT departments on how to incorporate bicyclist and pedestrian needs into road design, maintenance, transportation planning, education, etc. It will also detail the circumstances when a project may opt out of the policy and how that decision will be made available to the public.  

Improvements along the U.S. 36 corridor will occur incrementally as part of maintenance and resurfacing projects.  “Region 4 has numerous locations where state highway facilities have minimal or no shoulders.  This is likely to be one of the initial focus areas as we are most able to achieve nominal improvements,” said CDOT Region 4 Director Bob Garcia.