Existing Nonmotorized Conditions PPACG Nonmotorized Transportation System Plan May 2014 Prepared for: Prepared by: PPACG Steer Davies Gleave 15 South 7th Street, 1900 Wazee Street, Suite 250 Colorado Springs, Colorado Denver, Colorado 80905 80202 +1 (303) 416 7226 www.steerdaviesgleave.com EXISTING NONMOTORIZED CONDITIONS Summary 1 Document Preface . 7 Purpose . .7 Structure . .7 2 Regional Conditionss . 9 Overview . 9 Climate and Geography. 9 Transportation Infrastructure . 10 Nonmotorized Network Conditions . 13 Bicycle Parking . 16 Nonmotorized Accidents . 17 3 Existing Policies And Documents . 19 Pikes Peak Area Council of Governments . 19 City of Colorado Springs . 20 City of Woodland Park . 21 Town of Monument . 21 Town of Green Mountain Falls . 21 City of Fountain . 21 City of Manitou Springs . 21 Mapping 4 Regional Existing Conditions Mapping . 23 Introduction . 23 Work/Home Origins and Destinations . 23 Bicycle to Work . 24 Walk to Work . 24 Transit to Work . 24 Sidewalk Coverage and Transit Routes . 25 Detailed Level and Accident Map . 25 5 Area And Neighborhood Mapping . 27 Introduction . 27 Description . 27 Rationale . 27 Structure . 27 EXISTING NONMOTORIZED CONDITIONS 6 Regional Urban Trails Mapping . 29 Introduction . 29 Description . 29 Rationale . 29 7 Individual Urban Trails Mapping And Existing Conditions . 31 Introduction . 31 Description . 31 Rationale . 31 Structure . 31 EXISTING NONMOTORIZED CONDITIONS Figures Figure 2.1 Map of the Pikes Peak Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) . 9 Figure 2.2 Wide bicycle lane along 2nd St, Mounment . 10 Figure 2.3 NARROW Bicycle lane along West Colorado Avenue, Colorado Springs. 10 Figure 2.4 Cycle through lane on Woodmen Road and North Academy Boulevard, Colorado Springs . 11 Figure 2.5 No sidewalk at a transit stop – Manitou Avenue, Manitou Springs. 11 Figure 2.6 Wide crossing distances at Intersection of Milton E Proby and South Powers Boulevard near . Colorado Springs Airport, Colorado Springs . 12 Figure 2.7 Manitou Springs Pedestrianization, Manitou Springs . 12 Figure 2.8 Downtown Colorado Springs ‘Walk on the sidewalk’ signs, Colorado Springs . 13 Figure 2.9 Paved cycle route near Pikes Peak Community College, Colorado Springs . 13 Figure 2.10 Example of informal paths running parallel to Milton E Proby Parkway, Colorado Springs. 14 Figure 2.11 Midland and Pikes Peak Greenway Sign, Colorado Springs. 15 Figure 2.12 Rock Island Trail mapping, Falcon . 15 Figure 2.13 Bicycle parking, Manitou Springs . 16 Figure 2.14 Wheel up stands, Downtown Colorado Springs. 16 Figure 4.1 Level 1 route example – Rock Island Trail . 26 Figure 4.2 Level 2 route example – Las Animas Street. 26 Figure 4.3 Level 3 route example – West Colorado Avenue. 26 Figure 4.4 Level 3+ route example - Milton E Proby Parkway . 26 Figure 4.5 Level 4 example - US Highway 24 . 26 EXISTING NONMOTORIZED CONDITIONS 6 EXISTING NONMOTORIZED CONDITIONS 7 1 Document Preface Purpose Structure This document details the existing conditions of This document is structured into various chapters nonmotorized transportation in the Pikes Peak region. detailing existing conditions. Each chapter includes the The following sections will ultimately form the existing following: conditions chapter of the Regional Nonmotorized • Chapter 2: Regional Conditions – Provides a broad Transportation System Plan. This document includes a overview of the region, general characteristics, and variety of information regarding existing and planned summary of characteristics related to nonmotorized nonmotorized transportation, specifically cycling and transportation. walking facilities, throughout the Pikes Peak region. • Chapter 3: Existing Policies and Documents - Provides The purpose of this document is to describe the state an outline of current and past nonmotorized policies of nonmotorized commuting and utility travel. This and documents from various jurisdictions within the includes all instances where nonmotorized modes region. are used as a means of transportation, for example • Chapter 4: Regional Existing Conditions Mapping commuting to work or school, accessing shops and – This chapter is highly visual and includes a series services, or accessing trailheads. It is important to of maps illustrating nonmotorized conditions note that this document does not assess leisure or throughout the region. Maps in the section detail recreational travel by pedestrians and cyclists. origin and destinations for work purposes by multiple modes, including transit (often accessed by The project team obtained information, policies, nonmotorized modes), walking and cycling. and guidance from the range of local jurisdictions within the Pike Peak Area Council of Government’s • Chapter 5: Area and Neighborhood Mapping – This (PPACG) borders, as well as state agencies. Sources of chapter takes a closer look at distinct areas within the information included: region, focusing on individual neighborhoods and • Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) the existing nonmotorized transportation links. The majority of this information was obtained through • El Paso County the project team’s extensive field work. Maps are • Teller County provided for each neighborhood, along with notes • City of Colorado Springs on the context of the area. • City of Woodland Park • Chapter 6: Urban Trails Mapping - This chapter • City of Manitou Springs focuses on the developed/urbanized areas and • City of Fountain documents existing and planned nonmotorized transportation elements. Specifically, it describes • Town of Green Mountain Falls the major urban trails that comprise the off-street • Town of Monument nonmotorized transportation network that highlights • Town of Palmer Lake origins and destinations. The majority of this information was obtained through the project team’s The project team also conducted numerous field extensive field work. examinations to verify existing documentation and • Chapter 7: Individual Trails Mapping – This chapter collect new information for the study. Several days were sets out each individual urban trail that currently spent cycling and walking the extensive network of exists in the region, along with an analysis of roadways, trails, and pedestrian facilities throughout connections and crossing points. the region to photograph and document existing conditions. These efforts provided key insights to areas All graphics presented in this document are for analysis where gaps exist or improvements may be needed to only and are not intended to be used for navigational the cycling and pedestrian network across the region. purposes. EXISTING NONMOTORIZED CONDITIONS 08 EXISTING NONMOTORIZED CONDITIONS 09 2 Regional Conditions Overview Climate and Geography The Pikes Peak area encompasses the areas of El Paso Climate and geography affect nonmotorized County, the City of Colorado Springs and the City of transportation to a greater extent than any other mode Woodland Park. of transportation. Users of nonmotorized transportation tend to be more exposed to their immediate To understand the condition of nonmotorized travel surroundings, which significantly affects the likelihood in the region, it is important to investigate all factors of people to use these modes. that could impact the propensity for people to use nonmotorized modes. This includes: • There are a number of different geographies within the study area. These can be roughly categorized • Climate and geography into five areas: • Motorized infrastructure • To the east of the City of Colorado Springs, the land • Motorized network is predominantly rural: undulating hills and open • On-road cycling conditions space are interspersed with rural communities. • Sidewalk conditions • The City of Colorado Springs, City of Fountain and • Nonmotorized infrastructure the Town of Monument tend to be relatively flat, • Nonmotorized urban trails with urban areas of higher density. • Nonmotorized signage and wayfinding • The foothills of the Rockies, including the City of Manitou Springs and the western side of the City of • Equestrian conditions Colorado Springs including Garden of the Gods Park • Nonmotorized transportation in rural areas contain some hills and steep terrain. • Bicycle parking • The Ute Pass area, from the City of Manitou Springs • Accidents to the City of Woodland Park, is narrow with steep hills/mountains on either side. This overview takes into account nonmotorized conditions at a regional level, setting out the key • The City of Woodland Park is moderately hilly, has nonmotorized conditions related to each of these a much higher elevation than the rest of the study factors. area (around 2,500 ft higher), and as a result, the City experiences a microclimate different from the other areas. The climate of the region tends to be relatively dry and sunny, indeed the City of Colorado Springs is ranked amongst the sunniest cities in the US with around 300 days1 of sunshine per year. Sunny weather can make the environment more welcoming for those using nonmotorized transportation. However, temperatures in the region can vary significantly throughout the year. They can range from an average high in July of 84.8°F (average high in Woodland Park is 79°F), to an average low in December of 17.5°F (average low in Woodland Figure 2.1 Map of the Pikes Peak Metropolitan Planning 1 Data taken from NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Organization (MPO) Administration) EXISTING NONMOTORIZED CONDITIONS 10 Park is -3°F)2. In addition to extreme hot and cold the guidelines suggested in the