[SDCBC] Gilman / I-5 interchange

[Gene Carman]

Because the real issue is not cyclists being in the wrong place, but 
motorists violating the law and making a right turn from a straight 
thru only lane, perhaps the solution is a series of those narrow 
vertical orange "cones" to remind motorists that they are supposed to 
go straight.

The cones would have to stop just short of the actual intersection, 
to permit left turning motorists access to the ramp, but they would 
"force" motorists turning right from the straight thru to stop before 
attempting  to make a sharp turn.

Otherwise only strict enforcement is the only answer...  any "paint 
only" solution would be just as ignored as the line of motorists that 
are being selfishly passed, that have properly queued up to make the on ramp.

Emacs!



At 09:38 PM 2/19/2007, JonIsaacs at aol.com wrote:
>In a message dated 2/19/07 9:04:14 PM Pacific Standard Time, 
>j.eldon at sbcglobal.net writes:
>
>>Jon, thanks for reminding everyone of the extreme hazard posed by 
>>the Gilman Dr. / I-5 interchange. The proper solution is to calm 
>>traffic and to square the intersection, eliminating the high-speed 
>>diverge for cars transitioning from s/b Gilman to s/b I-5. As you 
>>so aptly observe, simply positioning oneself vehicularly and 
>>properly does not prevent some idiot from right-hooking from the 
>>center divide.
>>
>>John E.
>
>----
>John:
>
>In my view, this interchange is a classic example of how Bicycle 
>Lanes can be counterproductive, self defeating.  If there were no 
>bicycle lane, then the would be room for a straight through lane and 
>two right turn lanes for getting on I-5.  Cyclists take the left 
>lane and all is well.
>
>As it is, the presence of the Bike Lane means there is only one 
>right turn lane to I-5 so many impatient motorists make the illegal 
>right turn across the Bike Lane so the Bike Lane is not a safe place 
>to ride.   It's a real Catch 22 and the worst part is that the 
>presence of the Bike Lane suggests that it is a safe place to 
>ride.  One neighbor still rides in the bike lane in rush hour 
>traffic even though he was hit by a car there.  :-(
>
>Solutions:
>
>Five or more years ago, CalTrans told us at a UCSD Pedal Club 
>meeting that they were working on a solution and that it would take 
>about a year and a half..  So far no action.
>
>Traffic calming is good, no bike lane is good, enforcement is 
>good.  I think a 25mph speed limit on Gilman is a good start.  Maybe 
>a stoplight is the right solution, it certainly calms traffic and 
>could keep people from making that right turn.
>
>In the past I have brought the problem of motorists turning right 
>across the Bike Lane to the attention of the SDPD and there has been 
>some action. Once there were 5 motorcycle officers there, 1 pulling 
>people over, 4 writing tickets.  Given the budget problems of the 
>SDPD, it seems writing tickets at SB Gilman to SB I-5 would be a 
>real money-maker.  4 officer writing tickets one right after the 
>other is like pulling fish out of a net...
>
>Anyway, I would like to see something happen with this interchange, 
>if anyone from Cal Trans or the City is reading this, hey what's up? 
>when is something going to happen?
>
>Jon Isaacs
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