Share your comments tonight to make University Avenue more bike friendly
Posted By Sam Ollinger on October 11, 2011
For the past year and a half, the City of San Diego has been working with a Mobility Working Group comprised of residents, business owners, advocates and other citizens to improve the section of University Avenue between 54th and 68th Streets. As a result of nearly a year’s worth of work with this Working Group, the city is now ready to present solutions on how University Avenue can be improved. This is where you can play a part in making the eastern most section of University Avenue better for bicyclists. The Eastern Planning Group Meeting will be held at:
Eastern Planning Group Meeting
When: Tuesday (today) Oct 11, 2011
Time: 7:00 PM – 9:30 PM
Where: Holy Spirit Catholic Church – Parish Hall
2725 55th Street, San Diego, CA 92105
The goal is to prepare University Avenue for the year 2030 and ensure that all modes of transportation can move effectively. Along this corridor, bicycling traffic is expected to increase by 25%, automobile traffic is expected to go up by 24%.
The section between 54th to 68th Street is broken into five sections. Existing conditions are as follows:
54th to 58th Street
54th to 58th Street - Existing Conditions
54th to 58th Street - Existing Conditions (diagram)
58th to 60th Street
58th to 60th Streets - Existing Conditions
58th to 60th Streets - Existing Conditions
58th to 60th Streets - Existing Conditions (diagram)
60th to College Avenue
60th to College Avenue - Existing Conditions
60th to College Avenue - Existing Conditions (diagram)
College Avenue to Aragon Drive
College Avenue to Aragon Drive - Existing Conditions
College Avenue to Aragon Drive - Existing Conditions
College Avenue to Aragon Drive - Existing Conditions (diagram)
Aragon Drive to 68th Street
Aragon Drive to 68th Street - Existing Conditions
Aragon Drive to 68th Street - Existing Conditions
Aragon Drive to 68th Street - Existing Conditions (diagram)
The goals is to improve mobility for:
• Pedestrians
• Bicycles
• Transit
• Vehicles
During the last eleven years, there have been 129 collisions reported at 54th and University – the study’s starting point. At this intersection, 17 bicyclists and 40 pedestrians have been killed making 54th and University Avenue one of the most dangerous intersections in San Diego. Part of the University Mobility Study’s goals include making the 54th and University intersection safer for all users. This includes borrowing lessons learned from the neighboring city of La Mesa.
In La Mesa, the intersection of University Avenue and Yale was dangerous for years. But by implementing a road diet which included adding bike lanes, curb extensions to shorten crossing for pedestrians and reducing travel and turn lanes, the city of La Mesa was able improve mobility for all its road users at that intersection.
To continue the good work completed by the City of La Mesa, the Working Group voted for options that would make University Avenue aesthetically more pleasing and more inviting to all its users. To support these recommendations, your comments are needed tonight at the Eastern Planning Group meeting.
Below is what the new reconfigured sections of University Avenue will look like:
54th to College Avenue:
54th to College Avenue (now with bike lane)
Other sections of University also placed a priority on bicycling as a mode of transportation which is in line with the vision for “Great Streets” of Mid-City which is,
“to re-establish the major streets as great boulevards where vehicular circulation complements, rather than dominates, other activities, such as strolling, shopping, living and working.”
This stretch of University could easily undergo a road diet. That would free enough space for dedicated bike lanes, parking, and increased landscaping at the sidewalk.
Why do we put trees down the middle of a street? Who/what do they shade? Who gets to enjoy their beauty? Cars zipping by at 35 mph? Trees and landscaping are expensive to build and maintain. They should be at the sidewalk where PEOPLE can actually enjoy the benefits of their shade and beauty. They also help shade parked cars. They improve the experience of the street which improves business. That would be a much better use of money and resources.