The resolution, written up by councilwoman Lorie Zapf, suggested ideas for new bike lanes including a “green line” that’s built in the middle of the road as a commuter bike path, designed with brightly colored road markings.
It called for road improvements, encouraged cycling commuter projects and for an expansion of a 2002 Bicycle Master Plan.
“San Diego was not built out in its initial plan with bike lanes in mind, so now we have to fit them in, and that is no easy task,” said Zapf.
The advocacy group “Bike SD” was a big part of the push to see this resolution through.
While cyclists say this is a great call to action, they’re also disappointed in specific parts of the resolution.
“If you talk to anyone who rides in San Diego, navigating past the on-ramps and the off-ramps is the trickiest and scariest part of riding in San Diego,” Executive Director of Bike SD Samantha Ollinger said. “If you have to prioritize, that should be on top, and that wasn’t listed on the language of the resolution.”
Two separate cycling deaths took place in roadways where these ramps pose a problem for cyclists.
Zapf and other council members said they’ll need the help of commuters and bikers to help prioritize the projects, but first they need to find the funding.
“I think it’s a huge step forward obviously, but there’s a lot more work to be done,” said Ollinger.
7 Comments to “Safer bike routes coming to San Diego”
March 5, 2013 at 10:18 PM
Yes! Thank you Bike SD
March 6, 2013 at 12:12 AM
Great point about the ramps. Freeway ramps are the worst. Balboa or Clairemont crossing I-805 are some of the scariest places in San Diego to ride but all high speed ramp access to/from surface roads is very dangerous for bicyclists. Surface roads are not freeways and they should not be treated as such.
May 29, 2013 at 11:49 AM
This is great news! San Diego is such a great biking community! I'm so glad that the initial steps are being taken to make changes.