A bicyclist travels on a protected bike lane on 13th Street in Boulder on Aug. 14, 2021. (Quentin Young/Colorado Newsline)
The Colorado Legislature could consider a bill next year that would enable local governments to impose additional vehicle registration fees to pay for infrastructure proven to make streets safer for non-drivers.
That bill advanced through the Transportation Legislation Review Committee on a 12-5 vote Wednesday as one of its interim bills to be introduced during the regular session.
It would let cities and counties charge registration fees on light trucks and passenger vehicles beginning in 2026 to fund so-called “vulnerable road user protection strategies,” which are road features to make streets safer for pedestrians and bicyclists. That includes bike lanes, street medians, crosswalk visibility enhancements, rumble strips and traffic circles designed to manage speed, which are all features that the Federal Highway Administration recommends .
“We want to convince folks to hop on the bus, get on their bike or to walk to the market. But we recognize that our members need to feel safe doing so,” said Anita Seitz, the advocacy director for Colorado Communities for Climate Action. “In 2023, Colorado saw cyclist deaths increase and pedestrian deaths reach an all-time high. Bike and pedestrian friendly infrastructure investments help to protect our residents and save lives, but there’s simply limited dollars dedicated to this purpose.”