Riders worry Denver roads can’t handle e-bike influx

DENVER — The Town of Denver has received extra than 5,000 applications for its e-bicycle rebate method since May possibly, and is making ready to take one more spherical of programs August 1. There was so substantially curiosity in the system this month that the city’s web site quickly crashed.

But now, quite a few bikers are asking if Denver will be capable to establish out its now-crowded infrastructure quickly sufficient to retain up with this surge.

Denver7 spoke with David Millis, an avid e-biker who took up the exercise with his wife at the starting of the pandemic.

“We never even know what the selling price of fuel is due to the fact we set less than 5,000 miles a calendar year on our real motor automobile,” Millis said, touting the added benefits of e-biking.

According to the Metropolis of Denver, e-bikes have been a “game changer for people today,” enabling them to cut down their motor vehicle use and even get rid of 2nd and third cars in some conditions.

Millis needs to see much more of his neighbors be a part of him in the e-bike phenomenon. Nevertheless, he states the town has been as well sluggish in developing out the infrastructure required to accommodate much more bikers. He and other riders make up the Denver Bicycle Foyer, advocating for greater biking infrastructure throughout Denver.

“Our streets have to have to be accessible to additional than just automobiles,” he stated. “They need to be safer for all of us. They need to have to be accessible by all of us.”

In a poll by the City of Denver, virtually 60% of respondents claimed they are fascinated in touring by bike but are involved about protection while undertaking so. Shielded bike lanes from traffic and neighborhood bikeways, in particular, are recommended for higher basic safety, but not everybody is on board.

“The main impediments, we hear, are normally neighborhood neighbors stating, “Wait, what do you suggest you want to alter the road?” Or, “What do you suggest we’re going to reduce two street parking areas?”” Millis mentioned. “We’ve acquired source chain crises, fuel crises, the planet’s on fireplace — basically, in some cases — and some other things. So, it looks like now would be a superior time to speed up these strategies, maybe reprioritize a minimal bit.”

The city launched a intention in 2018 to construct 125 miles of new bikeways by 2023. So far, it claims it has concluded 103 miles. Amid individuals accomplished in 2021 and 2022 are:

• Marion Street Parkway – from Bayaud to Virginia Aves
• West 23rd Avenue from Federal to Speer Blvd overpass/Fishback Park
• 18th Road (downtown) from Curtis to Wynkoop
• 19th Street (downtown) from Wynkoop to Stout
• West 13th Avenue from Platte River path to Mariposa Street

Bicycling Magazine tasks just one million e-bikes will be sold in the United States this year, marking a 240% boost from final yr.