Signage for road construction messing with cyclists.

For most of this year the Cherry Creek bike trail has been detoured by construction on University Ave. During that time traffic lanes have been diverted and rerouted on University and Speer. Bike traffic has also been rerouted, as the underpass at University is still closed (except during bike to work week).

Everyone seems to be dealing with it, though from a cyclist point of view I would say that the construction crews are not making it easy. They seem to think that any space off of the roadway (read sideways, bike trails, etc.) are acceptable places to store signs and construction materials. Often the trail, 100 yards away and on the other side of the street from construction, is blocked because a sign warning drivers is placed on the bike trail:

Cherry Creek Bike trail east of

Cherry Creek Country Club

This sign has been moved numerous times by bicyclists, as typically it sits a foot or two further to the right, blocking at least half the trail. Additionally, when it is taken away for one reason or another, the orange cones are left strewn across the bike trail. Worst is that black sandbags are used to weigh the sign down since the angle throws it off balance. More than once I have been riding at night to find the black, non-reflective sandbags left in the middle of the trail, creating a terrible hazard to the riders. Combined with bad lighting (there are no lights on the trail), the trail becomes dangerous after dark due to this ineptitude.

But what can be done? After all the construction crews think that the best place to place traffic devices is directly in the crosswalk:

Crosswalk at University Ave and Cherry Creek S Dr.

This intersection becomes very congested during rush hour with bikes, peds and cars all wanting space. Effectively road users have to either move the construction equipment or move into the middle of the street to avoid it. Neither choice should have to be made.

But I suppose we were warned. After all if you are travelling northwest on the Cherry Creek trail, 1/2 a mile from the construction and travelling away from it, you are treated to notice about the construction you just passed:

I firmly believe that this sign is installed for the Country Club that seems to have an issue with it's member's interactions with the bike path.

By November of this year the construction will hopefully be completed. The attitudes speak to the respect car drivers and employees of the city hold towards other road users. Basically it's a big middle finger at cyclists's and pedestrian rights...except that your car is much more annoying than a hand gesture:

What a great spot to park! Screw you bike lane!