[SDCBC] Highway 101 workshop

[Kathy Keehan]

I know this is the fun part of being a member of the Coalition, so I want to
keep you all in the loop on what we're talking about design-wise for the 101
corridor in Encinitas. I met with folks from the consultants and the city
today. They mostly asked me about what bicyclists would like to see along
the corridor and they bounced some potential ideas off me. 

What I said bicyclists would like to see -

1.       Don't make it worse

2.       Slow down the traffic and make it easier for bicyclists to ride
with the traffic without being harassed

3.       We're not willing to trade bike space on the road for a bike path
(i.e. the Coastal Rail Trail.). We want both. 

4.       There are many different types of bicyclists, and the road needs to
be configured to accommodate them all.

5.       Provide good bike parking

Some potential ideas, some more serious than others, were discussed. All
include some sort of on-street parking options, but not yet determined
whether parallel, diagonal, or some combination. The consultants are
strongly in favor of including on-street parking, probably a combination of
parallel and back-in diagonal parking. They feel they need it both to make
sure businesses have good parking access, but also to provide traffic
calming and buffer between auto traffic and sidewalk traffic. Also, I'm
assuming that the City of Encinitas will honor its commitment to construct
the Coastal Rail Trail in the NCTD right of way to provide a non-roadway
option. For 101, some ideas could include -

1.       Slowing the traffic down to the 20 to 25 mph and providing shared
lane markings. I said this would be ok and an improvement for bicyclists. My
personal opinion, is that I think this would work for both club cyclists
riding individually and in groups, and if designed right can work well for
cruiser and utility cyclists, too. Unless the traffic volumes are really low
(hahahahaha) this probably won't work for traffic-averse/kid/family
cyclists, though, who would likely be on the Coastal Rail Trail instead. I
think if this option is used, the city will need to put shared lane markings
on the street to emphasize that bicyclists are to be expected in the regular
travel lane. 

2.       Slowing the traffic down (potentially speeds more than 25 mph,
though) and providing 7 foot bike lanes next to parking. They brought up
that this would be an option only if the parking turnover is not high, so as
not to end up with a lot of cars lurking in the bike lane waiting for
parking spots to open up.  I told them this might work, but that we are wary
of too narrow bike lanes in the door zone. They're serious about 7 feet of
space, but with smaller parking stall (13 feet total - 6 foot parking stall,
7 foot bike lane). The presence of the bike lane makes it difficult for
groups of cyclists, but makes it easier for some of the other individual
cyclists who need some encouragement to be out in the street. Kid/Family
cyclists would still probably use the future Coastal Rail Trail.

3.       Intersection treatments, particularly narrowing the lanes at
intersections and tightening turning radii to slow traffic or installing
roundabouts for intersections. I'm not sure how you all feel about
roundabouts - I think they provide a benefit to bicyclists by not having to
stop, but I've gotten feedback that some bicyclists don't like them because
of the need to take the lane through the roundabout. I think there will be a
lot of community discussion about what sorts of intersection treatments will
be included in the project.

I think there will be some interesting discussion both tomorrow at the group
walk and as the process moves forward. Please let me know your thoughts.

Kathy

 

 

From: sdcbc-bounces at bikesandiego.org [mailto:sdcbc-bounces at bikesandiego.org]
On Behalf Of John Eldon
Sent: Friday, February 22, 2008 8:55 AM
To: Michael Elliott
Cc: Sdcbc
Subject: Re: [SDCBC] Highway 101 workshop

 

Thanks for the offer, Michael. I expect a large turnout of mostly
bicycle-friendly locals, but we do need people with a serious bicyclist's
perspective to fight against well-meaning segregationists. If nothing else,
I would enjoy meeting and talking with you or anyone else from SDCBC. SInce
this one is almost literally in my back yard, since I have been very active
in Encinitas politics since before we incorporated as a city, and since I
know all five council members personally, I plan to stay very actively
involved in this streetscape design.

All the best,

John E.

Michael Elliott <camping.elliott at gmail.com> wrote:

John,

Keep up the good work -- on behalf of my wife and myself, thank you.

I could come to the Sat meeting -- I'm not very vocal, though, so lemme 
know if you think that just having bodies present would be helpful.

-- 
Mike "Rocket J Squirrel" Elliott
Carlsbad

 

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