[SDCBC] Well it looks like I am not the only one...

[Thomas Reynolds]

I don't want to debate bike lanes.  I have at least as much experience
riding in traffic as anyone on the list.

I could rephrase my statement to say that a 1.2 mile section of busy
Jamacha Blvd has been narrowed to the point where the road is
dangerous for cyclists.

My point is that a wide, safe road has been transformed into a narrow
dangerous road by a developer, has remained that way for four years,
and no one cares.  Further, there is no practical alternative for
cyclists, aside from cutting through private driveways (which is what
I do).

It's likely that the problem will only be rectified when someone is
injured or killed there.

Tom

On Jan 9, 2008 3:34 PM, Serge Issakov <serge at issakov.org> wrote:
>
>
> On Jan 9, 2008 11:04 AM, Thomas Reynolds <thomas.treynolds at gmail.com> wrote:
> > Out in my neighborhood, Spring Valley, a 1.2 mile section of bike lane
> > on busy Jamacha Blvd has been taken away by K-rails placed over it,
> > forcing cyclists out into traffic.
>
> This statement implies that the bike lane kept cyclists out of traffic.
>
> We may disagree on the pros and cons of bike lanes, but please don't make
> the mistake of thinking that a bike lane is a facility that keeps you out of
> traffic.
>
> Whether a street has a bike lane or not, a wide lane or a narrow lane, the
> bicyclist is part of traffic, and needs to think and behave accordingly.
> Any extent to which a bicyclist thinks a bike lane keeps him out of traffic
> is detrimental to his safety.  This is particularly important whenever
> approaching any intersection or junction with a place that traffic can move
> in or out of.  But same-direction motorists inadvertently drift into bike
> lanes and bicyclists in them that they have not noticed as well, so I stay
> alert in between junctions too.
>
> In order to improve my sight lines and conspicuity, during gaps in
> same-direction traffic I've developed the habit to merge out of the bike
> lane until the next platoon approaches, preferably not returning to the bike
> lane until I've been able to verify that I've been noticed.  This technique
> requires the use of a rear view mirror to establish and maintain rearward
> situational awareness.  Not only does this improve my sight lines and
> conspicuity, but it makes it more likely that I'm already properly
> positioned as I approach and enter each intersection.
>
> Anyway, next time you're riding in a bike lane, try to keep yourself from
> assuming you're not out in traffic.  Don't be deceived by a 6 inch wide
> stripe of paint!  To be sure, you're in traffic.
>
> Serge
>
> ---
>
> NOTE: Any opinions expressed above are mine and not necessarily shared by
> any organization in which I am involve
>