SANTA FE, May 4, 2022 – May is Santa Fe Bike Month, a time to encourage bike riding and also to consider local bicycle
infrastructure. Numerous surveys conducted in the Santa Fe region point to safety being the number one barrier to residents using the bicycle as a healthy and sustainable form of transportation or exercise.
To address these concerns, the Santa Fe Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) applied for and was awarded AARP Community Challenge grant funding to conduct demonstration projects of protected bike lanes (PBL) on city streets, with support from the City’s Streets Division. PBLs are bike lanes with a physical/vertical separation between the bike lane and car lane, and have been shown to improve safety and comfort for all road users when installed.
The MPO’s first two PBL demonstrations were held in October and November of 2021, and a report summarizing the results is now
available on their website.
Key findings include:
- Over 675 people experienced the pop-up protected bike lanes.
- Formal and informal surveys showed adults and children who biked in the protected bike lanes preferred them to regular bike lanes, citing safety and comfort improvements.
- Speeding vehicles were reduced by 50% on Paseo de Peralta during the pop-up protected bike lane on October 9-10, 2021. High speeds were reduced by 86%.
- Speeding vehicles were reduced by 35% on Paseo del Sol during the pop-up protected bike lane on November 30, 2021.
“We knew protected bike lanes had been instrumental in increasing bicycle use in other cities, and it was exciting to be able to respond to residents and bring them to Santa Fe thanks to the grant,” said MPO Transportation Planner Leah Yngve. “We’re looking forward to using the equipment as a tool to demonstrate other options for bicycle infrastructure around town.”
The next PBL opportunity will occur during the
Bike Month “Art by Bike” event on May 14. The event is organized by the MPO and the City’s Arts and Culture Department and Office of Economic Development, and will feature a pop-up protected bike lane on Agua Fria from Frenchy’s Field to Siler, and Siler from Rufina to the River Trail, as well as fun activities along the route.
