Naval base obtains easement to allow completion of Coronado Bikeway
Posted By Sam Ollinger on October 14, 2009
In a military town like San Diego, it is always helpful when the branches pitch in to help with promoting bicycling. San Diego’s Navy newspaper, the Navy Compass, is reporting that the Navy has requested an easement from the city which will allow the final section of the Coronado Bikeway to be completed. From the story,
Along with the easement, NBSD is moving back 30 yards of the fence line along the wet side of the base just south of 8th St, so the bike path can be built. “For the safety of the community on the bike route, we are working with the cities of San Diego and National City to ensure the Bayshore bikeway is constructed safely,” said Captain Rick Williamson, NBSD commanding officer. “If we hadn’t moved our fence line back a little, the bike path in the area would not have been as safe for those using it. We felt this was in the best interest of our community and our Sailors.”
Read the rest of the story here.
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4 Responses to “Naval base obtains easement to allow completion of Coronado Bikeway”
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Not so keen on the “take cyclists off of roadways” idea. In general, these paths adjacent to roadways are problematic where cross streets exist. I’ll gladly take a bicycle path, as long as it isn’t fraught with those dangerous points. Creating at least nice, well maintained roadways along the same area would be far better than their path idea.
I don’ think the idea is to ‘take cyclists off the roadway’ so much as it is ‘give cyclists an option besides Harbor Drive’. You will still be able to use the (hopefully improved) bike lanes on Harbor Drive if that is your preference. But the city and county are trying to provide a bike experience like the Silver Strand bike path along the east side of the bay, and I think the Navy is to be applauded for working with them to make that happen.
Yeah, absolutely good news. Any bicycling infrastructure is good. Cars have freeways all to themselves, why not have off-street bicycle routes just for bicycles? It’s a fact that more options for bicycling encourage more people to ride.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for bicycling infrastructure. I’ve used quite a bit of it getting around. I just have issues when it is designed as secondary to the roadway. I think of the river paths as bicycle freeways. They have “interchanges” and are grade separated. How useful would those paths be if you had to stop every time you crossed a road? Better roadway design or maintenance, especially in the case of Harbor Drive, would be fa better than a path alongside. Why should I stop for intersections on a path when I wouldn’t have to stop on the road? What about riders heading north? How will they get across Harbor when the path ends?
Truthfully, I’m more confused as to why a path is even needed there. Why spend the money on NEW infrastructure instead up making the existing roadway better.