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Comment by JPKab | Hacker News Reader

I'm a huge fan of programs like this, but one thing that cities like Denver (especially Denver) need to be wary of are things that actively worsen bike commutes over time. I live nearby, and one of the things that is a frequent topic of conversation is how dangerous certain bike trails in Denver are due to assaults and muggings. This is a new phenomenon, and there are bike trails in Denver I wouldn't go near on an expensive e-bike. The South Platte trail has some really sketchy areas, including an underpass where a mugger was pulling a clothesline to knock people off their bikes and rob them.

Property crime in Denver has skyrocketed, and even the local light-rail (RTD) has become far more dangerous, discouraging vulnerable people from riding. A whole lot of the weapons to reduce car trips in cities get completely undermined when order collapses.

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Denver resident who routinely rides bikes on those trails--mind providing some citations on those so we can know where to avoid? I've never had issues with folks in underpasses while running/biking (mostly early morning hours or commute hours), but could imagine there being issues at different times.

made an account just to comment. i commute in from the highlands to rino about 3/4 of the year and do a bunch of trips to littleton or golden when not work commuting. used this program last year to get an e-bike and have been absolutely loving it (when there isn't ice or snow on the ground).

most full on pedestrian trails are genuinely great, especially when helped by higher traffic. i do, however, avoid my most direct route into work at night. on the south platte trail from cuernavaca park to 29th is legitimately a scary stretch. mind you i'm a 6'1 225lbs guy..

denver really is trying, and they've come a long way! i'd love to see some improvements on vehicle calming and better cycling right of way on the neighborhood bikeways, but the highest priority issue has to be biking trail connectivity.

that was a very long winded way to give you a single half mile stretch answer..

> denver really is trying, and they've come a long way! i'd love to see some improvements on vehicle calming and better cycling right of way on the neighborhood bikeways, but the highest priority issue has to be biking trail connectivity.

Totally. A year or so ago they installed a protected bike lane on 23rd st crossing 25 onto water st (to connect to the south platte river trail/REI), but then it snowed and people ran over all the rubber protectors because they couldn't see them. They've since added higher reflectors, so at least they learned from their mistakes! I have a bunch of the same style on 17th by Sloan's lake, so I feel decently protected from that area to the stadium and onto the south platte river trail.

Please see the other comment reply to you. I read articles on this and also heard stories from coworkers but for me to provide citations I would have to Google and then copy and paste links which would end up being more effort than for you to just do it yourself and read what comes up.

How is this much different than carjackings? Cars are a little more difficult to rob, but they have higher reward.

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