A vision for the Presidio: one-way vehicular loop on Presidio & Jackson
To support safer biking and walking conditions on Presidio Drive and around the beautiful park, BikeSD is creating a vision and a collaborative effort to redirect traffic into a one-way vehicular loop composed of Presidio Drive and Jackson Street.
Vehicles would be restricted to a single direction — either westbound on Presidio; eastbound on Jackson or the reverse — while people walking and riding would gain the extra land space to go in either direction, such as other multi-use paths around the city. Furthermore, the idea to make Presidio Drive into a one way lane for vehicles while using the other lane for bikes and pedestrians is also part of the community plan. The pieces of the puzzle are starting to align and BikeSD sees the possibility of making this idea a reality.
BikeSD was excited to learn that District 3 Council Member Chris Ward had prioritized this concept in his 2019/2020 budget priorities. It's great to have CM Ward’s leadership and voice for the need to create safer streets. We applaud his support for bike infrastructure that is safe and and comfortable for people of all ages.
We will continue to strategize and collaborate with stakeholders to identify the next steps to implement this concept. In reality, appropriate paint markings and signage is all that is needed to change this flow of traffic. Perhaps we can create an experimental project to see if it really can work out. If you are interested in working on this project or want to contribute in any way, please email talk@bikesd.org.
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Bike markings coming to Morena Blvd at the Interstate 8 crossing
New bike striping plans and signage for bike riders will be implemented on Morena Boulevard where it crosses Interstate 8 in the next few months. This is an exciting moment in time when Caltrans takes the opportunity to implement safe street markings on state-controlled interchanges that can provide additional guidance, safety, and comfort for people riding bikes.
These Morena Blvd stripings were triggered when BikeSD Board President Nicole Burgess rode through the area and sent a tweet to Caltrans more than one year ago. She requested @CaltransSD provide safer connections through this corridor which would connect to the City’s efforts that implemented bike lanes and facility improvements on the north end of the corridor. Her request has been granted.
Caltrans Pedestrian and Bicycle Committee has discussed this project at the last two meetings and attached are the new striping plans and signage that will be implemented. BikeSD is glad to see that Caltrans is taking the initiative to provide better facilities throughout their jurisdiction. We appreciate collaborative efforts by Caltrans as they engaged and worked with the bike community to get the best improvements that can be made with paint. Obviously, there are better ways to improve the corridor but not without lots of money to tie up the interchanges (which is not happening anytime soon).
The plans shown above (see PDF for high-resolution drawings) are quite detailed. Overall BikeSD is supportive of these improvements. One concern that BikeSD and other bike advocates suggested was to add "Green Dashed Paint Markings through the Intersection” per NACTO guidelines. This was a consistent request by many people who ride bikes, but unfortunately the Operations Team at Caltrans is not willing to do so. We've inquired to understand what prevents Caltrans from implementing these types of paint markings and will keep our members posted on Caltrans response.
Regardless, we're looking forward to better striping through this area and thank Caltrans for their efforts. As the improvements are made in the next few months, we hope that you appreciate the new facility markings. Feel free to send a tweet or email to @CaltransSD thanking them for the new improvements and any concerns you may observe as a bike rider.
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A Wonderful Transformation for West Point Loma Blvd
Yay - I will finally be able to safely ride my bike down West Point Loma Blvd to get ice cream at 31 Flavors. And I can stop at Barons and Grocery Outlet for some groceries. And the next day, I might hit the bank and enjoy a yoga class. A short bike ride to local businesses is a great amenity for all of us.
I am truly grateful for the community of Ocean Beach and Point Loma for supporting this amazing opportunity to repurpose our streets as they are resurfaced. Many thanks also to Council Member Campbell for supporting a Class IV bikeway to provide a safe facility for all ages and abilities. Repurposing our streets as they are resurfaced is a very cost-effective approach to making our streets safer while providing an option for more people to bike, walk, and roll. And West Point Loma is a perfect example.
The segment along West Point Loma Blvd from Nimitz Blvd to Sports Arena Blvd will be going on a “road diet” or shall we say it is being transformed to accommodate all users of the road. Vehicle lanes will be reduced to one lane in each direction but the choke points at the west and east end will not be changed, meaning all turn lanes towards Nimitz and Sports Arena/Midway will remain. Reducing the number of vehicle lanes will provide the space for a safe and comfortable bikeway, also referred to as a Class IV Bikeway or Cycle Track. The reduction of lanes will create traffic calming to foster safer driving behaviors. Speeds will be reduced but the average travel time through this corridor will be relatively the same (approximately a 4 second delay). This small few seconds is well worth the safety benefits for all. We applaud the City of SD for implementing a true Vision Zero Solution for Safety as the recommended treatment and support the City’s goals for safety to be a top priority.
There are other benefits to the neighborhood: home values will likely increase, parents can let their kids get to their neighborhood schools by foot or bike, and more people will be out and about visiting local business and being social. This all creates a more vibrant, healthy, and enjoyable place to live, work, and play.
Just in time for summer, our neighbors to the east of Nimitz, can now safely hop on their bike and safely pedal to the beach and best of all, they will not have to worry about parking a car. They will now have the best front row parking on the sand, all without contributing to traffic on Sunset Cliffs. I look forward to sharing smiles with new riders in the neighborhood. Thank you again, to all of you, for supporting a healthy lifestyles and a healthy future. Ride on…
Advocacy Alert: Bring Protected Bike Lanes to West Point Loma Blvd
Thursday, April 18, 2010 - 6 PM to 8:30 PM
Peninsula Community Planning Board Meeting
Location: Point Loma Library, 3701 Voltaire Street, San Diego, CA 92107
Come voice your support for fully-protected Class IV bike lanes along West Point Loma Blvd. The City of San Diego is presenting this option to the Peninsula Community Planning Board. It's critical that bike and street safety advocates come and support this project to help create an amazing transformation of a neighborhood street and provide a wonderful bike facility for all ages and abilities.
Spread the word and help show support for this opportunity to create safer streets in the community.
More than 150 riders use "people-protected bike lane" to call for safe 30th Street bike lanes
On Saturday morning, scores of North Park families and friends turned out to call for protected bike lanes on 30th Street. From 6 year olds on training wheels to 66 year olds on road bikes, the mood was joyous as District 3 Councilmember Chris Ward and staff from the Mayor's office spoke and rode in support of creating protected bike lanes on 30th Street. And then more than 150 bike riders led by BikeSD board president Nicole Burgess set off from Bird Park to create a line of bike riders stretched for blocks along 30th Street. And in a first for San Diego, these riders passed through a "people-protected lane" created by two dozen activists on the very street where the city of San Diego is considering adding new bike lanes.
The message was clear: North Park residents want streets that are safe for all ages, that help the city meet its climate goals, and that give them more options for getting around the neighborhood. Organizer and local resident Matt Stucky partnered with BikeSD, Climate Action Campaign, the San Diego County Bike Coalition, and CirculateSD to create an event that highlighted the possibilities for a safer, better 30th Street just days before the City presents its new street design for 30th at the North Park Planning Committee on Tuesday night, April 16.
If you haven't seen the coverage by Angie Lee on CBS8 News check it out: https://www.cbs8.com/article/life/family/cycling-activists-rally-for-protected-bike-lanes-in-san-diego/509-1526e805-92d1-4f1f-91ee-85fb71bc9697
Or see some other video posts of this event right below:
or watch a time lapse video from inside the ride (Facebook):
BikeSD urges our members to come to the North Park Planning meeting: Tuesday, April 16, 6:30-8:30 pm, located at North Park Christian School, 2901 North Park Way. Event details on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/events/333399813966754/. Come!
