What Denver Residents Asked For, And What the Vibrant Denver Bond and Mayor Johnston Left Out

🚴 Community Demands for Bike Infrastructure Were Clear

In the official community input survey for the Vibrant Denver Bond, Denver residents mentioned the need for better bike lanes and infrastructure over 1,100 times.

Out of 6,246 total open-ended survey responses, phrases related to:

  • “bike lanes”

  • “protected bike lanes”

  • “bikeways”

  • “bicycling infrastructure”

appeared 1,137 times, early 18% of all comments. This shows strong, citywide demand for safer, more connected bike routes.

🛑 Safer Neighborhood Streets Also a Common Priority

Denverites also called for safer neighborhood streets in 458 unique comments. Residents asked for:

  • “traffic calming”

  • “pedestrian safety”

  • “crosswalks”

  • “street safety”

  • “speed bumps”

These requests reflect broad concern about speeding, unsafe crossings, and high speed cut through traffic in residential areas.

💸 What the Vibrant Denver Bond Actually Funds for Bikes and making neighborhood streets safer: Very Little

Despite the volume of feedback:

  • The final bond package includes little to no direct funding for new bike infrastructure or safe and slow neighborhood streets.

  • There is no allocation for neighborhood bikeways, protected lanes, or bike traffic calming measures.

  • Projects like the North Broadway protected bike lane and 13th Ave and 14th Ave protected bike lanes were left out of the plan entirely.

This stands in sharp contrast to the community’s priorities as expressed in the public engagement process.

🔍 Key Stats: Community Feedback vs. Bond Allocation

Category Survey Mentions Included in Bond? Bike lanes / infrastructure 1,137 ❌ Not funded Safer neighborhood streets 458 ❌ Largely excluded Total survey responses analyzed 6,246

🔎 Why This Matters for Denver

1. Public Trust in Engagement

The survey results clearly show that residents expect bike and pedestrian infrastructure to be a funding priority. The lack of follow-through may weaken public trust in the city’s planning process.

2. Equity and Safety

Bike infrastructure is often a low-cost investment with high public health and safety returns. Neglecting these projects may disproportionately impact residents without cars.

3. A Missed Climate Opportunity

Biking is a critical part of climate and emissions strategies. The Vibrant Denver Bond missed the chance to align transportation investments with Denver’s broader climate goals.

✅ Summary

While the Vibrant Denver Bond 2025 proposes nearly $1 billion in capital projects, it does not reflect the public’s repeated calls for:

  • Better bike infrastructure

  • Safer neighborhood streets

Voters and community advocates should weigh these omissions as they consider the bond package on the upcoming ballot.