Safe Roads Coalition of La Plata County Colorado

Safe Roads Coalition: A Brief History

The precedents of the Safe Roads Coalition (SRC) can be traced back to the work done by Warren McNaughton and Shane Baird to compile an “Inventory and Priority of Paved Roads in La Plata County for Improved Bicycling and Pedestrian Safety”. That document was submitted to, and adopted by, La Plata County, and included in the “November, 1999 La Plata County Comprehensive Traffic Study – Final Plan”. Subsequently, it was included in the 2000 La Plata County Trails Plan. Prior to this document, there had been various individual efforts by La Plata County citizens and isolated discussions with City or County officials, but nothing had been formalized specifically to address the growing number of daily trips made by non-motorized vehicles and their integration into the local transportation system.

The idea of submitting such a study that the County could integrate into their planning process was initiated by Ed Zink, who has long been recognized as the “Godfather” of Durango area cycling efforts. Ed is the owner of Mountain Bike Specialists, a nationally recognized bicycle retailer. Ed has also been a driving force behind the Durango Wheel Club, Trails 2000 and the San Juan Mountain Association. He has overseen the Iron Horse Bicycle Classic race and tour since 1971. Ed is a founding member of the Safe Roads Coalition.

In late 2004, Ed recognized that a number of individuals were interested in advocating for safer and improved accommodation for cyclists and other non-motorized road users and he acted to increase the level of activity. At that time, he brought those interested individuals together as an ad hoc group that coalesced into what has become the Safe Roads Coalition. A seminal meeting of many of the SRC founding members with Matt Zoll, Bicycle and Pedestrian Program Manager, Pima County Department of Transportation (Tucson) Arizona, in August, 2005 led to the rapid organization of a highly committed group and focus on a specific charter LINK.

It was clear, early on, that the safety and accommodation of all road users was paramount. As a result, SRC sought and continues to seek, to improve safety for all road user groups. At the same time, it was realized that cyclists and pedestrians were perhaps somewhat under-represented in engineering and budgeting decisions in the area, while at that time they were growing in importance in the County transportation mix, and thus should receive somewhat more attention in SRC activities.

As the SRC came together, it was realized that the concept of Complete Streets, which was gaining popularity across the nation, fit well with the organization’s objectives. Complete Streets provide a means to encourage multimodal transportation options and provide use of the public right of way in a safe manner for all road users. To read more about Complete Streets and how they are an integral part of improving mobility, limiting energy use, and increasing transportation options please click this LINK.

SRC has taken on a number of activities to improve the safety of local roads. For example, recognizing the rapidly changing nature of La Plata County, in April, 2007, SRC submitted a revised and updated version of the original 1999 Inventory and Priority. That updated and expanded document was adopted by the County Commissioners under resolution 2007-33 in July, 2007. The working relationship that developed as the update was prepared and submitted is one of the strong relationships that SRC has developed to open lines of communication on road issues of all kinds with La Plata County. The La Plata County staff and County Commissioners have all been very supportive of SRC and the goals of making all roads safer for all road users. Concurrent activities with the City of Durango have also realized similar widespread support for these important goals among City officials and employees.

Realizing that being proactive instead of reactive and providing support and guidance to decision-makers on the many roads’ issues, some non-profit organizations put their resources together and, SRC was able to hire Kendra Holmes, to work on a part time basis on a variety of roads’ related issues. The support from Trails 2000 and the Iron Horse Bicycle Classic, the two initial sponsors, in this position was more than just financial; it unified the advocacy efforts of many different user groups. Soon after, a third non-profit, Healthy Lifestyle La Plata, also recognized the importance to bring the Complete Streets philosophy and advocacy to the forefront of our community issues, and their financial support was also offered. Kendra became instrumental in establishing SRC with all local government agencies as a resource on Complete Streets needs and accommodations. Among her many other activities, she was able to make presentations to City, County and State officials about Complete Streets and the needs of communities to ensure equal transportation access for all citizens on our public rights of way. These informational presentations were important to both educate public officials and to establish the SRC’s credibility with these public officials.

Kendra was able to provide assistance to SRC until mid 2008 when her family business grew to the point where it needed her full time attention. SRC thus has, for the time being, returned to its roots as an all-volunteer citizen’s group. Luckily the good work that Kendra performed has translated directly into on-going progress on many of the issues of central importance to the SRC.

Over the course of the last 2 years SRC, with the help of its many supporters, has grown in its accomplishments. A partial list of these supporters can be found HERE. SRC has also formalized its existence and become a Colorado non-profit corporation. Our efforts, in collaboration of many other organizations including Trails 2000, Healthy Lifestyles La Plata Coalition, Iron Horse Bicycle Classic, Bicycle Friendly Durango Task Force, Inside Durango TV and Active Community Environments have allowed SRC to make significant progress on a number of issues. A sampling of these activities includes:

-- Working toward and attending state and national transportation meetings addressing Safe Routes to School programs and reinforcing the need and benefit of multi-modal options (see LINK here for a discussion of this national program) and assisting School District 9R in securing a CDOT grant for that purpose
-- Preparing a Draft Durango City Comprehensive Bike Plan and update for the City Bike Paths marking system
-- Getting Complete Streets language and concepts incorporated into the City of Durango Comprehensive Plan and La Plata County Planning, Maintenance and Engineering (adopted by resolution)
-- Submitting comments to and participation in follow up discussions with the Colorado Governor’s Blue Ribbon Panel on Transportation Finance and Implementation
-- Helping Durango obtain the Bicycle Friendly Community Silver designation
-- Co-organizing Durango’s first Bicycle Summit where 75 citizens, city/county/state employees, and multi-modal advocates sought realistic solutions for our growing community
-- Under the Bicycle Friendly Designation analysis and combined with the Bike Summit discussions, the number one recommendation to the City and County staff and officials was to hire a Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinator. Since that recommendation was made the City and County have worked together to make that position a reality. A proposed multi-modal transportation director is currently under consideration to be housed at the City of Durango in the next budget for hire in 2009.
-- Co-organizing the Durango Bike-To-Work Week and related festivities
-- Submitting citizen suggestions and comments to proposed roads projects such as the renovation of Florida Road. (The bonding for this project was approved by Durango residents by an overwhelming majority in the recent election)
-- Emphasis within the City on the connectivity of existing and future trails, paths and roads
-- Wrote, produced and placed on local television public service videos about limiting cell phone usage around school children and sharing the roads
-- Acquired a Share The Roads mini grant from CDOT to place share the roads messages on local newspaper and radio stations

To read more about recent news related to SRC please see our Recent News page by clicking this LINK.

This article was written by Wade Moore, SRC founding member who can be contacted for any Safe Roads Coalition issues at info@saferoadscoalition.org. Or to find out how you can help on these important issues, please visit our home page at this LINK.

SAFE ROADS COALITION (SRC)
P.O. Box 3425
Durango, CO 81302

Contact@SafeRoadsCoalition.org