Colorado’s regional trail system offers many opportunities to get out and bike with your family. One of the trails I like to ride with my own family is the LoBo Trail, a 12-mile long trail connecting Longmont and Boulder by way of Gunbarrel and Niwot. I am happy to share that one disorganized intersection along this particular trail is being improved as a write.

Currently, the intersection of Highway 119, Airport Road and the LoBo Trail is busy with the construction of a new bicycle/pedestrian underpass and multi-use trail that will provide safer crossing options at the intersection. When finished, the underpass will allow cyclists traveling on the 119 Bikeway, users of the LoBo trail and transit users traveling northbound on 119 a much safer way to get to and from Airport Road.

More detailed information about the project can be found here.

At the macro level, the multi-use trail closes the gap between riding in southwest Longmont and accessing both 119 and the LoBo Trail. It may not seem like much, but projects like this are critical to creating a network of trails and improving overall bicycle/pedestrian infrastructure across our state. And on the micro level I live just off of Airport Road/119 and selfishly these improvements will help my daily rides!

For those unfamiliar with the LoBo trail, it is a great route from Longmont to Boulder for those looking to take their time. (It could also be called the BoLo Trail, but nobody from Boulder goes to Longmont!) The trail takes riders across packed gravel, cement, dirt and paved road over the course of its 12 miles. It twists and turns through a combination of open space, residential areas and creek side pathways that provide a scenic and enjoyable ride.

In Gunbarrel, the trail combines with moderately busy local roads with low speed limits for 1-2 miles.  Just beyond this, the trail takes you onto Jay Road for about a 1/3 of a mile, but there are wide shoulders and you’re back onto dirt/gravel just before Jay Road hits 119. I suggest bringing a map or smartphone with you for your first (and maybe second and third) time on the trail, because the signage is lacking in spots.

As a relatively new Longmont resident, I’ve found that the LoBo Trail is an good alternative to Highway 119 for getting to and from Boulder/Longmont. When riding with my 3 year old in the trailer or up front in the iBert, I will go out of my way to find routes that provide scenic pleasures and minimize exposure to traffic. The LoBo Trail does just that, and it will be even better with these improvements.