Skip to Content
Streetsblog USA home
Streetsblog USA home
Log In
Car-Free Streets

Live from Denver: Two Streetfilms, Two Great Ideas, One Leading City

Slow ’em down!

Traffic calming isn't only for squares.

During his weeklong sojourn to the NACTO conference in Denver earlier this month, Streetfilms auteur Clarence Eckerson Jr. got to see the next generation in traffic circles — a design with a rotary so big that car drivers have to slow down. Check out the film below:

Here's the intersection now, thanks to the massive radial speed reducer:

After: This SUV has to slow down to 5 miles per hour — a perfect example of how design can reduce roadway dangers for pedestrians and cyclists. Photo: Clarence Eckerson Jr.
After: This SUV has to slow down to 5 miles per hour — a perfect example of how design can reduce roadway dangers for pedestrians and cyclists. Photo: Clarence Eckerson Jr.
After: This SUV has to slow down to 5 miles per hour — a perfect example of how design can reduce roadway dangers for pedestrians and cyclists. Photo: Clarence Eckerson Jr.

Here's what it looked like before:

Before: A wide-open speeding zone. Photo: Google
Before: A wide-open speeding zone. Photo: Google
Before: A wide-open speeding zone. Photo: Google

Some locals complained in the North Denver Star that the circles still give too much priority to car drivers, but the Denver Department of Transportation and Infrastructure maintains that the slower speeds will improve safety.

Eckerson was also on hand to christen the first of four ¡Viva Streets! — Denver's version of a cyclovia — that turned out to be joyous despite some concerns about the weather. Why can't cities do this every weekend in their center cores?

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog USA

Seattle’s Human Population Is Up, But Its Car Population Isn’t

Urbanists have long been making that case that growth in Seattle is the most climate-friendly and easiest to support with transit and infrastructure. And it's happening.

September 16, 2025

Tuesday’s Headlines Stay Safe

Political rhetoric notwithstanding, you're much safer on a bus or a train than in a car, or walking or biking near cars.

September 16, 2025

Monday’s Headlines Are Going to M-A-R-S, Mars!

Acting NASA director Sean Duffy apparently has too much on his plate to do any research into transit safety.

September 15, 2025

How Millions For Transit, Walking, and Biking Could Vanish On Sept. 30

The Trump administration may be deliberately slow-walking contracts for hard-earned transportation dollars.

September 15, 2025

This Chicago Comedy Show Shines a Light on the City’s Transit Fiscal Cliff

This sketch comedy show aims to teach audiences about efforts to avert the upcoming $771 million total Chicagoland transit fiscal cliff — and make them laugh.

September 12, 2025
See all posts