Boulder installing what it calls America’s first tall curb protected bike lanes

The Colorado city of Boulder is taking a pioneering step in enhancing bike lane safety and supporting local artists with the installation of “tall curbs” along Baseline Road. This innovative infrastructure, a first in the United States, aims to create safer and more convenient cycling routes while also featuring captivating artwork.

In response to community demands for improved travel conditions, Boulder is set to become the first U.S. city to introduce concrete tall curbs. These curbs serve as a physical barrier between the bike lane and vehicle travel lane, a safety measure familiar in other North American cities, such as Toronto.

The new tall curbs will replace the existing striped buffers and flexible white posts strategically implemented on Baseline Road between 30th Street and Foothills Parkway. Ongoing construction and community feedback will inform further enhancements scheduled for the next phase in 2024. Notably, several of the tall curbs will be adorned with artwork featuring designs by a local artist selected from the city’s mural roster.

Tall curb bike lane in Boulder, Colorado

The selected artist, Talia Swartz Parsell, has created vibrant, abstract paintings that draw inspiration from Colorado’s mountainous landscape, native flora, and butterfly species. These artistic barriers transition from morning to night, mirroring the changing colors and light of the day. The intention behind this initiative is to infuse color, vibrancy, and nature into the urban landscape, making commutes more aesthetically pleasing.

“Each of the barrier sections transition from morning to night, with the color and light of each painting reflecting this change,” said Parsell. “My hope is to bring more color, vibrancy, and nature back to this concrete corridor and hopefully beautify people’s commutes.”

Baseline Road is one of the city’s priority corridors within the Core Arterial Network (CAN). This network comprises a connected system of protected bicycle lanes, enhanced intersections, pedestrian facilities, and transit facility upgrades. The primary objective is to reduce the risk of severe crashes and offer a safer, more comfortable, and convenient travel experience within Boulder.