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Bicycle working group urges separated lanes, intersection redesigns to boost ridership in Los Alamos
Summary
A working‑group presentation recommended redesigning intersections, adding separated bike lanes and running pilot trials on Central Avenue to lower traffic stress and attract broader ridership, citing a 2.64% current cycling rate from the League of American Cyclists.
Herman Geppert Kleinrath, presenting the bicycle working‑group report to the Los Alamos Environmental Sustainability Board on Aug. 21, said low ridership stems from high “levels of traffic stress” and recommended a program of separated lanes, intersection redesign and pilot trials to make cycling safe and continuous across the community.
“ If you don’t build the right infrastructure for a mode of transport, don’t be surprised if this mode of transport is not widely used,” Herman said, arguing that safe, continuous facilities and intersection redesigns will attract women, older residents and families who currently avoid cycling.
The report highlighted design concepts from urban guidance, including queuing areas that make cyclists visible to turning vehicles, separated crossings for pedestrians and cyclists, corner islands that slow turning vehicles while remaining mountable for large vehicles, and roundabout features that split decision points for safer outcomes. Herman cited a League of American Cyclists statistic that Los Alamos’s current bicycle commuting rate is about 2.64 percent.
Board members pressed on implementation and interim measures. Herman said many recommendations can be piloted — for example, temporary mode‑filtering on Central Avenue during events or short one‑way trials — and suggested the Environmental Sustainability Board could send recommendations to County Council or provide differentiated recommendations after the Transportation Board completes its review. He also urged public education on rule changes and new infrastructure.
Shannon Blair and other members asked how the board could support the Transportation Board’s process; Herman recommended formal recommendations to council as a practical next step. Members and the presenter also discussed sidewalk riding legality, e‑bike speeds, and the need to prioritize redesign at specific intersections with high traffic and poor separation.
The board did not take formal action on the report at the meeting but discussed next steps, public outreach and the potential for pilot projects to test specific intersection or filtering concepts.
