2025 in Review

Grand Valley Streets Alliance 2025 Year in Review

It was a full year of getting involved with our local events, celebrations, networking and supporting safe cycling on the roads. Here is a quick summary of the past year...

4th and 5th Streets

4th and 5th Street Pilot Project

The big ongoing story in 2025 was the good news/bad news of 4th and 5th Street Pilot Project. GVSA promoted and encouraged the project through till the final unfortunate decision. As part of the Vibrant Together Master Plan, the dedicated members of the city Transportation and Engineering Department along with the Mobility Planner, organized this pilot project to create safer intersections at the main throughways of downtown for the intermingling of pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists. From 2019 through 2023 there were numerous studies, meetings, and opportunities for public input. Beginning August 2024 the Pilot Project consisted of single lane, one way direction traffic, right side parallel parking to buffer the new installed bike lane. Ground murals were also incorporated at bike racks, bus stops, and curb features. By September of 2025 Grand Junction City Council decided to remove the bike lanes and other traffic calming improvements south of Grand Ave, reintegrating to 2 lanes of single direction traffic, after only a year of a multi-year project. The good news was that buffered/protected bike lanes remain to the north, from Grand Ave. to North Ave on 4th and 5th St. Bike lanes on 5th Street in front of Grand Junction High School, continuing north have been permanently installed.

Bicycle Repair Clinics – Grand Junction BikeWrights Community

In April 2025, GVSA began a partnership with United Way, Sunshine Community, and Mutual Aid Partners to provide free bicycle maintenance for unhoused and low-income residents. Volunteers serviced about 125 bicycles and provided 26 kids bikes as Christmas gifts.

Four Canyons Parkway

The City of Grand Junction completed protected bike lanes and multimodal paths along one-half mile of F 1/2 road from 24 Road to 24 1/2 Road. This route connects to the bike path along 24 Road, which provides access to Community Hospital, Canyon View Park, Mesa Mall, and several other shops and businesses in the area. The second half of this project to 25 Road is scheduled for completion in 2026.

Grand Junction Bicycle Map

The City of Grand Junction printed its first Bicycle Map in the fall of 2024, showing bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure throughout the City. Local advocates have been pushing for this map for over ten years. We were excited to hand them out at our tabling events through the spring.

Bike and Pedestrian Counts

GVSA continued to assist the Urban Trails Committee with annual bicycle and pedestrian counts, which have been conducted at several key locations since 2016. The counts show a doubling or tripling in bike use where protected/buffered bicycle routes have been installed, such as on the Monument Connector Trail. GVSA member John Hodge set up a camera which documented this increase.

Cycle Safety Summit

In April 2025, in Partnership with the Motorcycle Safety Foundation, the City of Grand Junction, the Mesa County Regional Transportation Office, Bicycle Colorado and several other organizations, GVSA participated in this inaugural event at the Mesa County Fairgrounds. In addition to a GVSA table, we assisted with a Bicycle Rodeo safety training for young bike riders, and a “Flat Tire World Series” to teach riders how [fast] to fix a flat.

Arbor Fest

On the same day as the Cycle Safety Summit, GVSA made their first appearance hosting a table at Arbor Fest at Lincoln Park!

Bike Month – May

GVSA participated in fifteen events during the month of May!! Providing information on safe riding practices, wayfinding routes, basic bicycle maintenance, and promoting community bike rides.

Monument Trail Completion

The second half of Monument Trail (a paved bike and pedestrian path) was completed in May 2025. As a result, bike use tripled along this route, and pedestrian use increased about seven-fold. This completes a separated bike path route of about 10 miles, through the Tabeguache/Lunch Loops area with connections to the Riverfront Trail.

American Flyers Film Showing

In September, we assisted with a fundraising event, bringing in one of the main sources of donations for GVSA. We also provided local support guiding from Palisade, and riding with a group coming from Denver to Grand Junction during the same weekend!

"On Monday September 8 at 8:00 AM four cyclists will depart from Washington Park to Grand Junction, for a "Ride of Awareness." This nearly 300 mile ride over four days will climb 15,000 feet in elevation. The ride was created to bring Awareness to the dramatic increase of injury and death, not only for cyclists but for all Vulnerable Road Users (VRUs). The day after the riders arrive in Grand Junction, they will be part of the 40th Anniversary celebration of "American Flyers" with the Tour of the Moon ride."

Tour of the Moon and Tour of the Vineyards

GVSA volunteers assisted with both of these events- helping at the refreshment tents and guiding riders to the right directions.

City Council Formally Recognized the Contributions of Local Cycling Events

Based on the efforts of GVSA member Jack Byrom, the Grand Junction City Council 

proclaimed September 2025 “Competitive Cycling and Tour of the Moon Month”.

Housing Affordability Code Task Force

A GVSA committee is monitoring the activities of this group of developers which was established by the City Council to propose changes in city rules that would reduce construction costs.

Canals

Our canal committee is continuing to build relationships with irrigation companies in the valley. The City of Grand Junction plans to build a wide sidewalk on top of the buried Ranchman’s Ditch pipeline from 25 1/2 Road to 24 1/2 Road in 2026. Mesa County also reached agreement with the Orchard Mesa Irrigation District to build a multimodal path along 38 Road over a pipeline that will be buried.

“Three Feet to Pass” Signs

Though the City did not respond to our request for these signs at specific locations, CDOT has placed these signs on the Tour of the Moon Byway.

With a federal grant, Mesa County paved the access route to the 18 Road Mountain Bike area in the Fruita desert. This road now has wide bike lanes, and it is becoming a popular out-and-back route for road cyclists, as well as improving access to this popular mountain bike area.

Bicycle Colorado Assistance

Bicycle Colorado has provided considerable support for GVSA over the last year including:

-workshops to help develop goals

-participation in several local events

-collaboration on fundraising events

-organizing monthly statewide advocacy group Zoom meetings

-general support for our organization

GVSA has provided letter of support for state legislation proposed by Bicycle Colorado.

GVSA Facebook Community Forum

Dedicated GVSA member, Debbie Buchele, continues to serve as the administrator for this Facebook page, which provides a valuable exchange of information related to active transportation. Numerous postings are made and commented on daily. Thank you!

By David Lehmann, and Olivia Ruiz

4th and 5th Streets

The big story in 2025 was the good news/bad news of 4th and 5th Streets. Conservatives gained control of the Grand Junction City Council and decided to remove bike lanes and other traffic calming improvements on the south half of 4th and 5th Streets. The good news was that buffered/protected bike lanes remain on the north half of these streets, from Grand Ave. to North Ave. Bike lanes along 5th Street in front of Grand Junction High School were also installed.

Pedestrians run across 5th Street after City Council removed traffic calming improvements

GVSA actions helped save protected/buffered bike lanes north of downtown

Bike Clinics – Grand Junction BikeWrights Community

In April 2025, GVSA began a partnership with United Way, Sunshine Community, and Mutual Aid Partners to provide free bicycle maintenance for unhoused and low-income residents. Volunteers serviced about 125 bicycles and provided 26 kids bikes as Christmas gifts. 

Bike Clinics  moved to three different locations in 2025

Monument Trail Completion

The second half of Monument Trail (a paved bike and pedestrian path) was completed in May 2025. As a result, bike use tripled along this route, and pedestrian use increased about seven-fold. This completes a separated bike path route of about 10 miles, with connections to the Riverfront Trail.

The Monument Connector Trail official opening on May 20, 2025

Four Canyons Parkway

The City of Grand Junction completed protected bike lanes and multimodal paths along one-half mile of F 1/2 road from 24 Road to 24 1/2 Road. This route connects to the bike path along 24 Road, which provides access to Community Hospital, Canyon View Park, Mesa Mall, and several other shops and businesses in the area. The second half of this project to 25 Road is scheduled for completion in 2026.

Buffered bike lane and multimodal path on Four Canyons Parkway

Grand Junction Bicycle Map

The City of Grand Junction printed its first Bicycle Map in the fall of 2025, showing bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure throughout the City. Local advocates have been pushing for this map for over ten years.

Bike and Ped Counts

GVSA continued to assist the Urban Trails Committee with annual bicycle and pedestrian counts, which have been conducted at several key locations since 2016. The counts show a doubling or tripling in bike use where protected/buffered bicycle routes have been installed, such as on the Monument Connector Trail. GVSA member John Hodge set up a camera which documented this increase.

Cycle Safety Summit

In April 2025, in Partnership with the Motorcycle Safety Foundation, the City of Grand Junction, the Mesa County Regional Transportation Office, Bicycle Colorado and several other organizations, GVSA participated in this inaugural event at the Mesa County Fairgrounds. In addition to a GVSA table, we assisted with a Bicycle Rodeo safety training for young bike riders, and a “Flat Tire World Series” to teach riders how to fix a flat.

G.J. Police Dept e-bike officer on the Bike Rodeo course

Arbor Fest

On the same day as the Cycle Safety Summit, GVSA hosted a table at Arbor Fest at Lincoln Park.

Bike Month – May

GVSA participated in fifteen events during the month of May, providing information on safe riding practices and routes.

Bike to Work Day table at City Hall

American Flyers Film Showing

In September, we assisted with this fundraising event, which provided several hundred dollars for GVSA. We also provided local support for a group on a charity ride from Denver to Grand Junction on the same weekend.

American Flyers 40th Anniversary

Ride of Awareness at Palisade

Tour of the Moon and Tour of the Vineyards

Our volunteers assisted with both of these events, which also raised funds for GVSA.

Housing Affordability Code Task Force

A GVSA committee is monitoring the activities of this group of developers which was established by the City Council to propose changes in city rules that would reduce construction costs.

Canals

Our canal committee is continuing to build relationships with irrigation companies in the valley. The City of Grand Junction plans to build a wide sidewalk on top of the buried Ranchman’s Ditch pipeline from 25 1/2 Road to 24 1/2 Road in 2026. Mesa County also reached agreement with the Orchard Mesa Irrigation District to build a multimodal path along 38 Road over a pipeline that will be buried.

“Three Feet to Pass” Signs

Though the City did not respond to our request for these signs at specific locations, CDOT has placed these signs on the Tour of the Moon Byway.

"3 Feet to Pass" sign on South Broadway

18 Road Bike Lane

With a federal grant, Mesa County paved the access route to the 18 Road Mountain Bike area in the Fruita desert. This road now has wide bike lanes, and it is becoming a popular out-and-back route for road cyclists, as well as improving access to this popular mountain bike area.

MCBA members were consulted on design a few years ago

Bicycle Colorado Assistance

Bicycle Colorado has provided considerable support for GVSA over the last year including:

workshops to help develop goals, participation in several local events, collaboration on fundraising events, organizing monthly statewide advocacy group zoom meetings, and general support for our organization. GVSA has provided letter of support for state legislation proposed by Bicycle Colorado.

GVSA Facebook Community Forum

GVSA member Debbie Buchele continues to serve as the administrator for this Facebook page, which provides a valuable exchange of information related to active transportation. Numerous postings are made and commented on daily.

City Council Formally Recognized the Contributions of Local Cycling Events

Based on the efforts of GVSA member Jack Byrom, the Grand Junction City Council 

proclaimed September 2025 “Competitive Cycling and Tour of the Moon Month”.