[SDCBC] FW: bike safety and good neighbor relations

[trevorspoke at cox.net]

Kathy, thanks for the friendly note from our roadway neighbors with too many wheels (wink). We all have to remember to avoid being judgemental about others' driving choices that cross the line from unlawful into merely "different from our style". Those in the weekend group rides know that the writer is completely backward about what works well on a "well-traveled road". It is better, in fact, for all the bikes to stay out of the bike lanes altogether so that we don't get so many conflicts at right turns, where motorists end up on the wrong side of the bunch because they didn't know the rules of the road require them to merge into the bike lane to make their turn.

Companions riding and chatting side by side are neither more dangerous, nor more bothersome to other road users, than loner motorists chatting to their buds on the cell phone. We all want the same thing, to make our travel more enjoyable.

I don't regularly travel Del Dios, but even if I did I would avoid calling into question someone else's choice of riding style. I would merely remind them to ride safely, lawfully, and cooperatively. Mayhap that's already what they're doing.

-- Trevor

> Please forward to your bicycling friends.
> 
> Hi. I live in Solana Beach and drive frequently to Escondido via Del Dios
> Highway.
> 
> I know that in Solana Beach, the designers of the future improvement of our
> section of Highway 101 have worked and will continue to work with the
> Bicycle Coalition regarding bike lanes and parking, as it relates to the
> bicyclists.  However, in order to get consideration for ones cause, it is
> necessary to give consideration to the public non-cyclist. On busy 101 I
> will often encounter bicyclists, 2 abreast, one in the bike lane, one in the
> traffic lane.  That just does not work on a well traveled street, just as it
> would not work if the cars were to drive into the bike lane. I know the
> bicyclists get really annoyed with cars, and the biker is the far more
> vulnerable, but if a bike is concerned for his own safety, please, ride
> single file in the bike lane. 
> 
> Just this Saturday, along Del Dios, there was a group of cyclists, 4 wide,
> on that curvy downhill road, creating a really dangerous situation. How can
> any of them think they are riding safe? Maybe they think they are making
> themselves more visible that way, but it seems so very unsafe to me. 
> 
> I often see similar riding on Del Dios and can not imagine that it is
> regarded as the safe way to ride. I always try to be considerate of the
> bicyclists, but I find it more than annoying to come upon a 4 wide string of
> bicycles as I round a right hand down hill  curve; it is downright scary. 
> 
> I do not know what the solution is, maybe posters reminding the riders of
> safe riding that would be given to the bike shops. But I do know yours is a
> strong group of voices and activism. 
> 
> Another point of contention is where the groups park to gather on the
> weekends. Now that there is little beach parking and more crowded conditions
> at the train station lot in SolanaBeach, I see large groups gather in the
> lot across from the Post Office. They have their bikes spread out there,
> getting instruction, putting on the wheels etc. I know it is a public
> parking lot, but it is now all we have for the beach goers and those using
> the new bluff top park and nearby restaurants. Could you spread the word
> that there are 3 more public parking lots on South Sierra that are all
> underutilized. There are 2 on the west side of Sierra and one on the east,
> all beyond that one across from the Post Office. The 2 on the west side are
> marked with signs, but are not that visible because of bushes either on the
> sides or in front of the lots. 
> 
> Help bicyclists become friendly considerate neighbors by gathering at the
> less used lots. It would help the overall perception by the non-biking
> public.
> 
> Please correct me and let me know if riding abreast (I do not mean when a
> faster rider is trying to get at the head of the pack) is recommended. 
> 
> Thanks for your time,
> 
> Jane Morton
> p.s. I read on your site about the Kids I and Kids II classes. How often
> does that happen?
> 
> 
> 
> 
>