Question: What’s the longest continuous stretch of ABQ cycling roadway infrastructure that is truly LTS 1 or 2?

I raise the question after recently posting this photo of the brand-spanking new Woodward Blvd. eastbound as it rises to meet I-25

That wide, solid (apparently) concrete “Jersey Barrier” separating cyclist from driver (along with cushioning metal contraption to save Driver X when they head for the Jersey Barrier head-on) is the first such, very real, physical separation in the entire area, as pointed out by an alert BB reader (they are ALL very alert). Said reader also pointed out that it’s a darn shame that cylists safely toodling up the hill eastbound along this Jersey Barrier eventually get to I-25 as Woodward turns into Sunport Blvd. where they run into this:

Yes folks, that is a crosswalk terminating in a little concrete box next to a cactus. No more Jersey Barrier. No more separation of any kind. Welcome to the Albuquerque Sunport. Oh, and, just for added flavor crystals in this delicious breakfast of cycling hell, there’s also that slip lane with Guy in Black Sedan above desperate to make their plane on time exiting I-25.

In other words, one does not need to look anywhere else to find ABQ’s nexus of the absolute best cycling roadway infrastructure in town and worst cycling roadway infrastructure in town. It’s right there at Woodward/Sunport eastbound over I-25.

Which gets me back to the question: What’s the longest continuous stretch of ABQ cycling roadway infrastructure that is truly LTS 1 or 2?

We’re talking roadway, so Bosque Path, North Diversion Channel, etc. don’t count. And while we all have our own personal idea of what constitutes LTS 1/2 versus LTS 3, I’ll throw out my own interpretation which is to add that you, alert BB reader, would suggest said continuous stretch to any new/relatively new cyclist, whether they were a friend, colleague, family member, or just a reader of your blog.

In answering the question, I went to the ABQ Bike Map looking for blue bike lane designations. Having ridden pretty much all of these roads/bike lanes (because I’m weird that way), particulary those not on the West Side north of I-40, I just start rattling them off with a quick yes/no in terms of whether these are:

A. LTS 1 or 2 bike lane roadways in the first place

B. If/where the major road crossings along these bike lane roadways stay LTS 1 or 2

As you are an alert BB reader, you’re probably thinking that achievement of criteria “A” above is hard, but not impossible. Achieving criteria “B” in this town IS damn close to impossible.

So, just to pick a starting place, let’s first go south/north east of the River running for roads going east/west:

Being the good teacher that I am, I’ve got us started and it’s now your job to finish evaluating all the other bike lane roadways in town. Or you can be lazier and just attack my Yes/No determinations above. My overriding contention through this process is we’re gonna find damn few, if any, truly LTS 1/2 stretches that extend beyond the limitation of major crossings. For instance, I’d certainly tell New Rider X they should feel comfortable riding Constitution between Girard and Carlisle, heck they can even start off at UNM North and should feel safe east until Carlisle. Then there’s Constitution at Carlisle.

So:

1. Look the bike map over
2. Find what you consider the longest stretch of LTS 1/2 in town
3. Use tools to measure the length of that stretch in miles
4. Present your findings

Will we get a stretch that longer than 2 miles? I’ll put that out as an early Over/Under for wagering purposes. I’d think I’d take the Under.

Thanks for playing!