[SDCBC] Coastal Rail Trail [wasBogota vs. San Diego]

[Stephan Vance]

Eric,

 

Issues with the Coastal Rail Trail are mostly focused in the North County
sections where the railroad (North County Transit District) is asking for a
fence to separate the bike path from the track. Local residents have a
history of crossing the tracks to get access to the beach and the commercial
areas on Hwy 101, so some are opposed to the bikeway if it comes with a
fence. There have been a lot of other issues along the way that have taken
the wind out of the project's sails. I'd say the most important thing people
can do to help realize the bikeway is to let the cities along the coast know
that you care. Mostly what they hear is from the folks who live near the
tracks and don't want the bikeway if it includes the fence. There are
alternatives out there worth exploring but there needs to be a push from
local elected officials to work through them, and that will take a push from
residents.

 

As for the money, I think there that could be solved too if there are viable
projects to build. So, first step is to contact mayors and council members
to ask them when they will finish the Coastal Rail Trail.

 

As for the bigger question of how best to connect communities for bicycle
travel, work the first real regional bike plan is about to begin at SANDAG.
There will be plenty of opportunities to voice your opinion on the matter as
the plan is being developed so stay tuned to this channel and the SDCBC Web
site and ChainGuard for more information.

 

Stephan Vance

 

  _____  

From: Eric Converse [mailto:econver at yahoo.com] 
Sent: Monday, March 31, 2008 11:26 PM
To: Stephan Vance; Steve McNeil; John Eldon; JonIsaacs at aol.com;
sdcbc at bikesandiego.org
Subject: Re: [SDCBC] Bogota vs. San Diego

 

Jim, Steve mentioned a way to avoid the majority of the Marion Bear Preserve
on a 52 path, do you think this would help move the discussion along further
with Marion Bear Preserve board?  Can and how do we get official sanction
from the SDCBC to support such a proposal?

Stephan, is there anything members can do to help with the projects you
spoke of?  Do we need to raise more money, increase volunteer efforts, show
up at planning meetings?  I've been hearing about the rail trail for some
time, but what do you think will be required to jump the hurdles you spoke
of?

It sounds like there are a lot of things we can do.  Now I'm wondering what
the best thing to do next is and how we/I can help?

By the way, Kathy, Silke and I can volunteer for the Velodrome on the 6th.

Eric

 

The City of San Diego is in the early stages of developing a bike path on
this utility easement as part of the Coastal Rail Trail. They are also
planning a bike path that would connect University City to Sorrento Valley
on another utility easement in Roselle Canyon . Ultimately, the Coastal Rail
Trail is planned to follow the Amtrak/Coaster right of way north to
Oceanside (except at the lagoon crossings and a few other constrained points
along the way). There are, however, many hurdles to overcome and a great
deal of funding to identify before this project will be fully realized.

 

Stephan Vance

  _____  

 

The major impediment was the reticence of the advisory board for Marion Bear
Preserve to allow for a paved Bike Path through their canyon preserve.
Change their minds and those of the adjacent advisory bodies would likely go
along. 

You do know that there are several Bike Paths along freeways and arterials
already in the region, right? 

Jim (been there, tried that, Ok to try again) Baross

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