Mayor Hancock’s Mobility Action Plan establishes the ambitious goals of reducing the proportion of people who drive alone to work from 73% to 50% and eliminating traffic fatalities by the year 2030. The Denver Streets Partnership (DSP) strongly supports these goals. Reducing Denver residents’ dependency on cars to meet their daily transportation needs offers many, wide-ranging benefits including cleaner air, better public health outcomes, lower household transportation costs, more inclusive communities, thriving local business districts, and safer streets for everyone, regardless of age, income, ability, or means of transportation. No one should die or suffer a serious injury just trying to get around Denver.
The proliferation of new transportation options entering the marketplace – from ride hailing apps to dockless scooters to autonomous vehicles – presents both challenges and opportunities for Denver as it works toward these goals. Ensuring these innovations contribute to, rather than detract from, a more livable city requires Denver to adopt policies and allocate limited public space in ways that support the safest, healthiest, most inclusive transportation options.
The DSP therefore identified key principles that should guide the management of Denver’s street space:
- Establish clear priorities for the public right-of-way that put people first.
- Separate travel by speed
- Encourage marketplace innovation while capturing value created by public spaces.