Foto Friday: Uptown Bike Corridor – A Look at the Changes Proposed

The SANDAG Uptown Project consists of three corridors and 12 miles of bike infrastructure that connects the neighborhoods of Bankers Hill, Hillcrest, Mission Hills, and Five Points to Old Town, Mission Valley, North Park, University Heights, Balboa Park and Downtown. The focus is to making bicycling an option for “everyday people” for “everyday trips” by converting streets that induce “high stress” to “low stress” streets.

At the most recent outreach meeting held in February, the analysis and results were presented to Uptown residents, business owners and stakeholders. Below are very promising design concepts that were presented.

Today University Avenue and most of Uptown’s streets is designed solely for moving automobile traffic which has led to many road deaths that are stressful to walk alongside, ride on, and even drive.

University Avenue today. Image: SANDAG
University Avenue today. Image: SANDAG

But the future looks bright for University Avenue

University Avenue in the future could actually be a truly multi-modal street. Image via SANDAG.
University Avenue in the future could actually be a truly multi-modal street. Image via SANDAG. Tip: show the people’s faces instead of their behinds – much more engaging

Today, University Avenue at 3rd is in a sorry condition. The best offering are some shared lane markings or sharrows along on University Avenue.

University Avenue today. Not a great place to linger or experience our great outdoors. Image: SANDAG
University Avenue today. Not a great place to linger or experience our great outdoors. Image: SANDAG

But the future looks very bright for University Avenue at 3rd with a proper protected bike lane/cycletrack.

University at 3rd is going to be so great! Image: SANDAG
University at 3rd is going to be so great! Image: SANDAG

One of the north/south alignments is 5th Avenue. Last month the city’s first road diets were implemented to much fanfare and publicity.

Bankers Hill Resident Enjoys Riding on San Diego's Buffered Bike Lanes. Photo: Adrian Granda
Bankers Hill Resident Enjoys Riding on San Diego’s Buffered Bike Lanes. Photo: Adrian Granda

The future of 5th Avenue looks even better with, you guessed it, cycletracks:

5th Avenue at Nutmeg in the future will look much better than it does tomorrow. Image: SANDAG
5th Avenue at Nutmeg in the future will look much better than it does tomorrow. Image: SANDAG

One of our readers, Bonnie Kucera, sent in this video of great intersection design that fits right into what we’ve been advocating all this time.

The future does indeed look bright. Don’t you wish it would get here quickly?