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Multi modal plan could put bikes, elk on equal footing

In most places, “Share the Road” signs feature a silhouette of a bicycle. But on the road to Lake Nighthorse, you’re advised to accommodate wapiti. It’s not clear if elk are allowed to be two abreast on a county road or if they must migrate in single file.

Traveling up County Road 211 toward Lake Nighthorse, I’m always amused at this “Share the Road” sign. If I come upon one of these wapiti, must I allow the same 3-foot buffer afforded to cyclists? Can cervids travel two abreast, but stay as far right as possible? Now that we have “green lanes,” will brown lanes be next? – Mark Isham

Because this sign appears on the road to the Lake That No One Can Use, it brings up an intriguing question.

If Nighthorse Reservoir isn’t open to the public, why are there signs for traffic that’s not there?

Maybe the sign should read “Share the Lake” with a silhouette of a boat instead of an elk.

But that’s another topic for another time. Let’s get back to sharing the roads.

That yellow sign leaves no doubt. We must accommodate elk the same as we do bikes.

Therefore, the next step is clear: Elk must be included in the city’s Multi Modal Transportation Master Plan.

What perfect timing!

At this very moment, the city is updating the plan and there’s one remaining public meeting.

“The topic of elk had never come up at any of our multi modal meetings,” confirmed our good friend Amber Blake, the city’s director of transportation and sustainability.

“Time to speak for elk because the elk can’t speak for themselves,” she quipped.

The final multi modal meeting is Sept. 29 at Durango Brewing Co., 3000 Main Avenue. Then the draft plan update will be unveiled Oct. 10 at Carver Brewing Co., 1022 Main Ave.

Of course if it’s a “draft” plan. It’s happening at a brewpub.

For more info, go to durangogov.org, click on the “Departments” tab, then go to “Transportation and Sustainability.”

Action Line did so, and he glanced through the original multi modal plan.

The plan’s vision was to provide “a fully connected transportation network” for “transit riders, pedestrians and bicyclists.”

Nowhere was “elk” mentioned in any of the plan’s 58 pages.

But there was an interesting tidbit on page 16

You know those symbols painted on the road, the bicycle with two “chevron” arrows above it?

It indicates to motorists that they share the lane with cyclists.

This symbol is called a “sharrow.” Seriously.

“Sharrow” combines “share” with “arrow.”

So that brings up another intriguing concept. What do we call Durango’s bike-elk multi modal interface?

What if we combine “bike” and “elk?” You get “bilk.”

The “bilk” initiative could include painting brown elk lanes inside the green bike lanes along with adding all sorts of new signs, “elk boxes” and safety features to accommodate bipeds and quadrupeds equally.

Funded by government grants, of course.

We’d never use real money for this kind of thing.

Or maybe we should balk at bilking.

When it comes to public policy, decisions can’t be made on the hoof.

Email questions to actionline@durangoherald.com or mail them to Action Line, The Durango Herald, 1275 Main Ave., Durango, CO 81301. You will be refused anonymity if your personal multi modal plan is to own several gas-guzzling vehicles and drive everywhere for even the smallest errand.



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