Cyclists call for better infrastructure, education, cooperation

Reaction is mixed to city’s crash study, which says bicyclists at fault 44 percent of the time, motorists responsible in 40 percent of incidents

Members of the city’s cycling community are giving mixed reviews to a multiyear crash analysis released this week by the Santa Fe Police Department. Though some said the report could be a valuable tool in pointing out the need to ensure improved safety for riders on city streets, others questioned its methodology and accuracy. “I think the report is confusing,” said Gretchen Grogan, a member of the Bicycle Trails Advisory Committee and a spokeswoman for the Santa Fe Century, an annual charity bike ride through the city and county. According to the report, data collected from March 2015 through February of this year showed bicycle crashes rose 67 percent between 2016 and ’17, then dropped 16 percent from 2017 into early this year. Almost all of the 110 crashes listed in the report involved a collision

with a vehicle.

The report was offered as a first step, and indicated another year would be required to gather enough data and analysis “to produce statistically significant results.”

However, the study clearly pointed out that most accidents occurred in a trapezoidal part of the city that includes busy roadways such as Cerrillos Road, St. Michael’s Drive and St. Francis Drive.

Officers determined cyclists were at fault for a crash 44 percent of the time, with drivers at 40 percent. In 16 percent of the crashes, both parties were at fault, according to the report.

Despite finding more cyclists at fault, the report shows motorists receive more traffic citations. In “failure to yield” cases, the No. 1 cause of collisions, nine citations were issued to cyclists while 13 were to motorists.

“If cyclists have the majority of causes, but not the majority of citations, why is that?” Grogan asked. “That didn’t make sense to me.”

Nevertheless, Grogran said the community should focus on improvement, with an added emphasis on more bike lanes with clearer striping, wider shoulders on other roads and increased education.

“It’s not a signage issue,” Grogan said. “It’s more a bike infrastructure issue.”

The recreational cyclist added that too much time is being spent assigning blame instead of creating change.

“Cyclists and motorists need to come together to find a solution instead of finger pointing,” Grogan said.

Cyclist Bruce Kearns called Santa Fe “the most dangerous place I’ve ever ridden in my life,” adding the lack of proper road markings, education and space in lanes are problematic. He noted he has witnessed undisciplined cyclists as well as drivers, but believes police response favors motorists.

“I want to see serious improvement about bicycling in Santa Fe,” he said. “There’s a bias toward motor vehicles.”

Some cyclists said they try to avoid problematic areas like St. Francis and Cerrillos because of the traffic. One rider, Ben Cox, said he detours to bike paths like the Rail Trail and finds options like a bikefriendly tunnel to navigate the city.

“The city has done a lot to improve bike paths,” Cox said. “But there’s a lot that still needs to be done.”

Cox, who has lived in Santa Fe for 20 years, said he has seen a lot of growth in bicycle infrastructure over the past decade, but wishes there were more underpasses at intersections. Increasing those options would not only help safety, but also encourage others to ride and invigorate areas like Railyard Park.

Alex Van Sickle, a service manager at Mello Vello bike shop downtown, said that as he helps rent out bikes, it’s shocking to discover how few understand they must obey the traffic laws that apply to motorists.

“You’re on a bike, you don’t have a motor, so I guess people don’t view it the same,” he said.

Van Sickle said that while Santa Fe’s bike infrastructure is not as comprehensive as in Albuquerque, the streets are far safer.

“If you’re riding on the streets in Albuquerque, it’s scary as hell,” he said. “That was a nightmare.”