Bicyclists navigate the new roundabout.
The Mountain Loop Trail, part of CSU’s paved trail network and the City of Fort Collins’ Center Bikeway, opened this week and gives riders and pedestrians a safer path between the Visual Arts and Chemistry buildings.
The improved section of bicycle and pedestrian trail extends the separated trail that previously terminated north of Pitkin Street, widens pathways, reduces grades for accessibility, and brings the second bicycle/pedestrian roundabout to main campus.
Prioritizing safety and access
The $1.65 million Mountain Loop Trail project was funded with contributions from the student-run Alternative Transportation Fee Advisory Board, which provides guidance to ASCSU about the university Transfort contract and other transportation needs, and the State Architects Deferred Maintenance Fund, which paid for a package of ADA improvements at CSU.
The project was identified as a high priority by CSU’s Vision Zero Task Force, a group focused on eliminating transportation-related injuries and fatalities at CSU. The volume of bicycle and pedestrian traffic on the trail warranted new separated infrastructure, and the uncontrolled crossing of the trail at Pitkin brought an increased risk of crashes. The new design aims to provide safer and more predictable traffic for all modes.
“The new trail segment and roundabout use proven design strategies to increase safety and keep people moving in an area with lots of bicycle and pedestrian traffic,” said Vision Zero Task Force Chair Dave Bradford. “Safety of all modes of travel is our top priority as we seek funding and opportunities to upgrade our transportation infrastructure.”
A bicyclist rides west on Pitkin through the new roundabout.
Accessibility improvements
Accessibility upgrades were included in the projects, as part of a series completed over the past several years on campus. Specific Americans with Disability Act improvements include a widened plaza between Chemistry and the Molecular and Radiological Biosciences Building, improved grades and transitions entering buildings and new sidewalks.
“During the stakeholder input process we observed challenges that campus users of mobility devices faced navigating this corridor,” said Campus Landscape Architect David Hansen. “These observations led to further design study to see what was possible to correct these issues. Sharing this with the state architect’s office during a tour of campus helped to solidify funding support for the project. “
New parking spaces are situated outside of the trail corridor, along with a centralized Dumpster enclosure. The trails will provide new firefighting access between Chemistry and Visual Arts with a platform for extending outriggers to support a firetruck’s boom to gain necessary rooftop access.
How to navigate new trails
Separated trails are increasingly prevalent across Main Campus. These are a tool to provide space between pedestrians and bicyclists to mitigate congestion and improve traffic safety and predictability. When using these trails, look to signs and pavement markings for guidance. Those riding scooters and skateboards should use the side marked for bicyclists.
The new separated trail looking south between Chemistry (left) and Visual Arts (right)
How to use a bicycle roundabout
The Mountain Loop Trail improvements bring the second bicycle and pedestrian roundabout to CSU. The first was installed at University and the Green Trail in the summer of 2021. These roundabouts are designed to add predictability to intersections that experience high volumes of bike and pedestrian traffic.
- When riding a bike, scooter or skateboard, enter the roundabout when there is an opening (yield to those already in the roundabout) and then signal and exit in the lane of travel that suits your destination, just like you would in a car. Yield to pedestrians in the crosswalks.
- When walking, use the marked crosswalks that form a box around the roundabout. This places you in the most visible and predictable location for other roundabout users.
Rambassadors, Parking and Transportation Services’ group of student employees, have been out at the new roundabout this fall helping users navigate it for the first time. A Bike to Breakfast event sponsored by the Parking and Transportation Services Active Transportation division also provided direct education on proper use of the new roundabout.
“Rambassadors have noticed the usual hiccups in getting used to new infrastructure, but overall, students have been receptive to education and marked improvements in proper usage are occurring,” said Cam Phillips, active transportation professional with PTS.
For more information about this project, contact Associate Director of Active Transportation Jamie Gaskill at Jamie.Gaskill@colostate.edu.
