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New road rules expand bike lanes in San Carlos


October 22, 2008

Bicyclists and vehicles share the road on Brittan Avenue in San Carlos.

SAN CARLOS — Margaret Pye remembers the honking, shouting and tailgating she endured while commuting home.

The bicyclist grew tiresome of the treatment she received from drivers in San Carlos, and fought for equal access to the roads by lobbying city leaders for a unique kind of sign.

Instead of “share the road” signs, which Pye said are ineffective, the city recently installed “change lanes to pass” signs on the two-lane portion of Brittan Avenue that links El Camino Real to U.S. Highway 101. It notifies drivers that bicyclists have full access to a car lane: if drivers want to speed past them, they must switch lanes.

Once the sign went up this summer, the honking quickly stopped, she said.

“I believe the motorists understand and do what they’re supposed to do,” Pye said. “I think it’s been a significant difference.”

From bicyclists receiving access to full car lanes to slimming down drivers’ lanes to make way for bikes, local leaders are providing bike riders with more and more roadway access — and are about to be infused with tens of millions of dollars for more projects.

In addition to cities’ efforts, the City/County Association of Governments will soon release its first Peninsula bike map in 10 years, Executive Director Richard Napier said. It will outline ideal routes for bicycles while accounting for narrow roads, steep hills and bike lanes, he said.

From Jan. 1 through 2033, cities will also receive an estimated $70 million for bicycle and pedestrian projects under Measure A. Since San Mateo County voters approved the measure in 1988, the only bicycle-related funds allotted have been for printing previous bike maps, said Christine Dunn, spokeswoman for the county Transportation Authority, which distributes Measure A funds.

Even with limited funds, cities are finding creative ways to add space for bikes. “Lane diets” have been used three times in Redwood City to slim down car-lane widths in large roadways.

mrosenberg@sfexaminer.com

Share the road

Ways bicyclists are receiving more access on Peninsula roadways:

  • “Change lanes to pass” signs
  • “Share the road” signs
  • Slimming down lane widths to make room for bike lanes
  • Improving access between downtown areas and transit centers
  • Bike access around freeways, such as Highway 101’s Ralston Avenue exit
  • Bike-overcross proposals on several portions of Highway 101
  • City and county bike maps

Sources: Cities, City/County Association of Governments



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Reader Comments

All comments on this page are subject to our Terms of Use and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Examiner or its staff. Comment box is limited to 250 words.

JTM

Oct 22, 2008

These are not new rules. They have been in the state vehicle code for more than 30 years. What is new is the signs that tell motorists what is expected of them.

 

carefuldriver

Nov 6, 2008

I have no problem sharing the road w/bike riders, as I enjoy riding my bike too. BUT I am really concerned that many bike riders do not obey traffic laws and cause hazards themselves. Many do not stop at stop signs, or signal lights, they hold up traffic expecting lines of cars to remain behind them on busy streets. PLEASE start educating more riders that they are subject to the laws of the road if they want to share the road. I worry for their safety.

 

Joeventures

Jun 3, 2009

I have no problem sharing the road with car drivers, as I still find myself forced to drive from time to time, too. But I am really concerned that many drivers do not obey traffic laws and cause hazards themselves. Many do not stop at stop signs, or signal lights, and they treat speed limits as suggestions instead of the law. Please start educating more drivers that they are subject to the laws of the road if they want to share the road. They kill people every day, and I worry for my safety.

 

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Jun 13, 2009

I guess that the new rules will have some kind of Impact. Mike regcure license - drivercure review

 

dorseymike

Jul 16, 2009

Exstremely lovely site. Very impressed about all the lesson there are to learn and to know how much help is there also. Keep up the great work


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Aug 16, 2009

www.sfexaminer.com/local/New_road_rules_expand_bike_lanes_in_San_Carlos.html

 

masterlein

Aug 21, 2009

lovely page

 

James

Aug 21, 2009

In the last month I was in San Carlos. But there some bikers take adventage of it in a uneccaptable way.

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Sep 19, 2009

Many do not stop at stop signs, or signal lights, they hold up traffic expecting lines of cars to remain behind them on busy streets.Very impressed about all the lesson there are to learn and to know how much help is there also. stomach bloating remedies

 

Jaaysean

Sep 19, 2009

Many do not stop at stop signs, or signal lights, and they treat speed limits as suggestions instead of the law. Please start educating more drivers that they are subject to the laws of the road if they want to share the road.Stomach bloating remedies

 

Groge

Sep 19, 2009

Since San Mateo County voters approved the measure in 1988, the only bicycle-related funds allotted have been for printing previous bike maps, said Christine Dunn, spokeswoman for the county Transportation Authority.href="http://www.body-detox-bloating.canceradvisory.net/stomach-bloating-remedies.html"
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SANDRYU

Sep 20, 2009

PLS start educating more riders that they are subject to the laws of the road if they want to share the road. I worry for their safety.
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Sep 23, 2009

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Sep 23, 2009

Many do not stop at stop signs, or signal lights, they hold up traffic expecting lines of cars to remain behind them on busy streets. PLEASE start educating more riders that they are subject to the laws of the road if they want to share the road. I worry for their safety.
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Gina

Oct 9, 2009

That's good to hear, because as a cyclist I get incredibly frustrated by the lack of respect shown to us by drivers. I have as much right to be on the road as they do. mexico cruise deals. I hope in my city, they come to their senses like they have here.

- Gina

 

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Nov 1, 2009

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