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Commuters driving along Broadway downtown could soon see a car on one side and a bicycle on the other side.

Denver is exploring the possibility of a protected bike lane along one of the busiest north-south thoroughfares in the city. And if some bike advocates have their way, it could run from Interstate 25 north to Interstate 70.

Brighton Boulevard, which turns into Broadway south of Blake Street, is already scheduled for a raised cycle track separated from the road between 29th and 44th avenues.

The city has $200,000 budgeted for 2015 to look at concepts for a lane that would go from I-25 to 12th Avenue as part of the Denver Moves bike plan. The city is getting ready to hire a consultant for that process. The remaining stretch up to 29th Avenue could be looked at as part of the Downtown Multimodal Access Plan, said Denver Public Works transportation director Crissy Fanganello.

“It’s been a high priority for a long time,” Fanganello said.

A bike lane between Colfax Avenue and Speer Boulevard is also part of the Golden Triangle neighborhood plan, which City Council passed last year, but the reality of an actual lane is at least a few years away.

One possibility is a two-way protected bike lane that would separate cars from bike riders with a barrier and allow for riders to go both north and south. Denver has a one-way protected lane on 15th Street between Cleveland Place and Larimer Street.

Bike Denver, a nonprofit bicycle activist group, has had the Broadway lane on its radar for a few years. Executive director Molly North said the city really needs a north-south passage for bike commuters.

Many cyclists avoid Broadway due to the high volume of cars. Bike riders zig-zag through side streets such as Sherman or Bannock streets. Others ride on the sidewalk, which is illegal.

North said she believes that a bike lane on Broadway would increase bike commuting in the city overall, and the lack of a north-south passage keeps people’s bikes at home.

“I think that’s a huge disqualifier for people,” North said.

While there seems to be support for a bike lane, there will be some sort of tradeoff. It’s unclear how a bike lane will change Broadway until there are more formal plans, but the street will see either fewer lanes, narrower lanes or less on-street parking.

“That’s why we needed to get this money to have that conversation with the community,” Fanganello said. “Not everyone agrees.”

Some, but not all, cycling enthusiasts agree with North that the city needs something on a main street to help cyclists on their commutes.

Curt Wallach, who owns the Track Shack repair shop downtown, said he’ll avoid Broadway at all costs when heading south, but doing so adds time to his ride.

“Anything that’s good for a driver to want to go down to get through the city, it’s the same for a cyclist. It’s just unsafe now,” Wallach said.

Stuart Hayden said he rides his bike on Broadway often, mostly using the bus lane. He said he’s able to maintain a fast pace, but he recognizes that not all cyclists are like him.

He thinks a lane could restrict his freedom to ride with traffic.

Some businesses along Broadway are supporting the bike lane, saying it would bring more traffic by their stores.

Sweet Action Ice Cream owner Chia Basinger said a bike lane could also better connect some neighborhoods bordering Broadway such as Golden Triangle and Baker. He also said it would help his business.

“Especially for the business we’re in, anything that increases traffic and access to the area is helpful for us economically,” Basinger said.

Marty Lavine, owner of Push Fitness and Physical Therapy and president of the Broadway Merchants Association, was less enthusiastic but is not opposed to the lane. He did express concern over the possibility of fewer cars and more traffic jams in the corridor.

He added, “You’re gonna get rid of some traffic, because Broadway isn’t going to be able to carry as much of a load.”

Joe Vaccarelli: 303-954-2396, jvaccarelli@denverpost.com or twitter.com/joe_vacc