Michael Hancock

The Denver City Council voted 10 to 3 Monday to approve Mayor Michael Hancock's 2018 budget. Among the initiatives covered in the spending plan are 29 full-time employees to get a fledgling stand-alone transportation department up and running; $33 million for walking, biking, and transit improvements; and $75 million for standard street maintenance and paving.

Mayor Hancock said the vote was "absolutely" a referrendum on the importance of sustainable transportation.

Mayor Michael Hancock unveiled his final Vision Zero Action Plan [PDF] to end traffic deaths and serious injuries Friday, just a few hours after a driver struck and injured yet another person walking on Federal Boulevard, Denver's deadliest street.

At the current rate of funding, Denver won't complete building out its bike network until 2042.

The Hancock administration can improve transit and walkability when it widens of Quebec Street — or it can repeat the transportation planning mistakes of the 1960s.

But will they follow through and press for additional funds in the final budget?

In the past the survey has revealed cringe-worthy truths. These aren't fixed demographics to shrug at — they're red flags to wave in the face of decision-makers.

Why is Mayor Michael Hancock — who aims to end traffic deaths, decrease the city's driving trips by 23 percent, and double walking, biking, and transit trips — inviting more car traffic?

The Hancock administration is working on big plans to expand and improve the city's bus and train network with its Denveright planning initiative. One of the key questions going forward is how to pay for these upgrades.