Denver's 'Parking Angels' Give Holiday Cheer To Polite Drivers

From DPW: For the next few weeks, Denver Right of Way Enforcement Agents are trading their badges for angel wings to spread holiday cheer and offer positive reinforcement as part of their annual “Parking Angels” program! This year, the angels are calling attention to how to park properly near Denver’s bikeways. Now through the end of the month, the Parking Angels will reward drivers who do it right with a $5 ParkSmart Denver card, while educating others. The pre-loaded, credit card sized plastic ParkSmart Denver cards can be used at any of the 6,000 Smart Meters throughout the city!

To keep people on bikes moving safely and comfortably in our city, it’s important for drivers, when parking and loading, to stay out of the bike lane and out of the buffered area between the bike lane and parking lane, as shown in the graphic below. The proper way for drivers to park is within the white pavement markings (shown in green), aligning the front of their vehicles with the parking meter. Drivers should also use care in opening their passenger doors and in crossing the bike lane to pay the meter.

As Denver continues to rapidly grow the city’s bike network, enforcement is equally important. Denver Public Works has requested additional right of way enforcement resources next year to help manage and enforce the increasing demands on the public right of way and curb lane space.

People on bikes who would like to report a vehicle blocking a bikeway are encouraged to call Denver’s Right of Way Enforcement dispatch line at 720-913-1600.

While the Parking Angels program is only underway in December, agents do a great deal of public service year-round, with or without angel wings! On their beats, agents regularly provide residents and visitors with directions and even return lost wallets!

Follow us on Twitter (@DenPublicWorks) and Facebook to celebrate this year’s recipients!

Image via DPW