Is Denver a good city for commuting by bicycle?

Re: “Denver is inconvenient, annoying, slow and unsafe for cyclists,” Sept. 24 Thierry Backes column.

Thierry Backes is spot-on about biking in Denver. I am an avid bicyclist and ride all over the city. During this time, I have witnessed the deterioration of many of the bike routes. This has included East 12th Avenue and East 7th Avenue. Since April, I have tried to work with the City and County of Denver to remedy a number of dangerous conditions. My efforts have resulted in absolutely no improvements whatsoever. The city administration’s attitude can be characterized as indifferent or lethargic at best. In my many contacts with the city and elected public officials, there is little follow-up and, the attitude is basically “go along to get along.”

While there are few laudable bike projects, the city’s bike program operates in what could be called the ethereal world. Denver is not the bike mecca that they would like you to believe. Often bike lanes are completely blocked by development projects and many designated bike lanes are seriously dangerous. A prime example is the 15th Street bike lane, where turning cars regularly cut off bicyclists.

City officials need to wake up and realize that Denver’s bike program is anything but hallowed. Mark Boyko, Denver

Thierry Backes writes that Denver is unsafe for bicycle commuters. He states he is from Germany. Based on my own experiences and knowledge, I think he is right that many major European cities are both more friendly towards bicycle commuters and have a much higher percent of people who actually commute by bicycle. However, I think he was unfair and incorrect to call it a Denver problem. He made no mention of any other U.S. cities. Perhaps he has not biked in any other U.S. cities. I think Denver is ahead of many (most?) U.S. cities of comparable size. Therefore, I think his column would have been better if it focused on the U.S. versus Europe, rather than to single out Denver. Steve Levin, Niwot

Throughout the late 1970s, all of the ’80s and early ’90s, and before it became fashionable, I commuted by bicycle yearround to and from work.

My commute in those years started in West Washington Park and ended in Globeville, later Wheat Ridge and then again back to Globeville. Where possible, I took advantage of the incomplete Cherry Creek and Platte River trails. But at some point my commutes necessarily included Speer Boulevard, North Broadway, North Washington and the 15th, 16th and 23rd Street viaducts, among other busy streets.

I can remember being relieved when bike lanes were established on the 16th Street viaduct, making my commute to and from Wheat Ridge a little less hairy. Then, it might have been unsafe to commute by bicycle in Denver. Now it’s a piece of cake and the infrastructure is only getting better. Greg Albrecht, Aurora

I read Thierry Backes’ column about his difficulties in safely navigating Denver streets on his bike so he could get to work. I feel this issue of commuting in Denver without a car has to be taken a step further.

Commuting in Denver by RTD bus or light rail is also a challenge at best. On time issues, transfer and connection issues also pose great problems for many Denver commuters. All we get is excuses from Denver and RTD officials about their problems. Just look at the light rail line to Arvada and Wheat Ridge. How long has this problem been lingering?

It’s just one example of poor planning, execution and management by transportation officials who continue to function day after day in mediocrity. The thousands of people who take to their cars and jam our outdated road system will continue until we start holding our elected and appointed officials accountable for their poor performances. Louis Derose, Lakewood