RTD, City and County of Broomfield and Commuting Solutions open new bike shelters to promote transit access
The Regional Transportation District (RTD), City and County of Broomfield, and Commuting Solutions celebrated the grand opening of three new Bike-n-Ride shelters at RTD stations in Broomfield yesterday. The occasion was marked with a ribbon cutting and shelter access demonstration at the US•36 Broomfield Station. Broomfield Mayor Guyleen Castriotta and Mayor Pro Tem Deven Shaff shared remarks as well as RTD Board of Directors Chair and Director, District I Erik Davidson and Commuting Solutions Executive Director Audrey DeBarros.
“The City and County of Broomfield is proud to support an integrated, multimodal transportation system that allows residents, employees, and visitors of Broomfield the freedom of personal mobility and the choice of travel. These Bike-n-Ride shelters are a key piece of infrastructure that provides a more secure location for transit riders to store their bicycles at no cost to the rider and expands the multimodal transportation network in Broomfield and across our region,” said Broomfield Mayor Guyleen Castriotta.
The three new shelters, located at the US 36•Broomfield Station (eastbound side) and east and westbound US 36•Flatirons stations expand a growing network of bike parking for transit customers in the northwest metro region. The region has 12 total shelters, eight of which are along the US 36 corridor. RTD’s Bike-n-Ride program enables customers to connect to and from stations, integrating transit options with bike travel.
“These newest bike shelters will be well received by customers aiming to make connections as easily as possible,” RTD Board Chair Erik Davidson said. “We know there is high demand for these shelters and that their presence incents people to use transit.”
Transit customers who would like to use the shelters can apply online to receive a card to access the bike shelters. Applicants will receive their access cards within two weeks of applying.
With additional shelters, public agencies aim to encourage transit use
RTD has partnered with communities to add Bike-n-Ride shelters along the US 36 corridor in Superior, Louisville, Broomfield, Westminster and Boulder. Broomfield embraced the opportunity, sought federal grant funding from the Denver Regional Council of Governments (DRCOG), and provided the required local match to build the three newest shelters. There are also four shelters outside the US 36 corridor – two in Boulder and two in Longmont. A full list can be found on the Commuting Solutions website.
The Bike-n-Ride Shelter program was launched to meet growing transit and bike ridership along US 36. In 2017, the US 36 bikeway was completed, providing a safe, direct path for cyclists traveling in the northwest metro region. Also in 2017, RTD in partnership with CDOT and local communities, represented by mayors and commissioners along the US 36 corridor, brought the region’s first-ever bus rapid transit service, the Flatiron Flyer. The addition of Bike-n-Ride shelters at transit stations along this corridor facilitates improved travel continuity and expands options for transit customers.
“Bike-n-Ride shelters provide a great opportunity to help commuters complete their first or final mile,” said Commuting Solutions Executive Director Audrey DeBarros. “The shelters provide an enclosed space for locking bicycles, protected from Colorado weather. This allows people to have an additional transportation option for traveling to and from work, school or other activity centers within the corridor.”
For more information about Bike-n-Ride shelters, visit Commuting Solutions’ webpage.
About RTD
The Regional Transportation District (RTD) was created in 1969 by the Colorado General Assembly to develop, operate, and maintain a mass transportation system that now benefits more than 3.1 million people in the Denver metro area. With a service area of 2,342 square miles, RTD provides transit services in all or part of eight counties and more than 40 municipalities. The transportation agency's services are delivered via 126 bus routes, six light rail lines, four commuter rail lines, and paratransit mobility options. For more information, visit rtd-denver.com/news-stop or call 303.299.6000.
About the City and County of Broomfield
Broomfield is a city and county with a strong sense of unity, pride, and identity. The community is planned with a balance of residential and commercial land use, generous open space, parks, and natural areas. Broomfield residents enjoy various employment, recreational opportunities, and human services. Broomfield boasts an exceptional school system and offers a variety of housing options for all incomes and household sizes.
Broomfield is a community connected. Connected by our residents, over 8,600 acres of private and public open lands, high-speed internet, global companies, and over 350 miles of bike lanes and trails connected to a regional multimodal transportation network, Broomfield offers access to Denver, Boulder, and the world. Visit broomfield.org for more information.
About Commuting Solutions
Commuting Solutions is dedicated to delivering innovative transportation options that connect commuters to their workplaces, businesses to their employees, and residents to their communities. Through advocacy for infrastructure and transportation improvements, partnership, and education, we create progressive, flexible transportation solutions.