Hazardous sign blocking the bike lane on Fairmount Avenue – Moved

October 5, 2011

I recently learned that the northbound section of the bike lane on Fairmount Avenue was blocked by a sign placed by the City’s Streets Department. This sign notified drivers that Aldine Drive further north was closed temporarily due to maintenance work. This section of Fairmount Avenue has a speed limit of 50 mph and was dangerous enough without any additional help from the Streets Department. The lack of thought for the city’s cyclists created an even more hazardous condition for cyclists riding northbound on Fairmount Avenue. Below is a map with a red circle marking where the sign was located.

locationofsign — Location of Hazardous Sign circled in red

Below is a photo showing where this sign was placed – right in the middle of the bike lane that was already treacherous with sand and bushes partially blocking the bike lane.

Sign in way — Sign in the middle of the bike lane block cyclists' access on Northbound Fairmount Avenue

Yesterday, a reader sent an email to Jim Lundquist, bicycle coordinator at the City of San Diego notifying him of this hazardous placement of the sign. This afternoon while riding up Fairmount Avenue, the sign had been moved.

AldineDrSignoutofway1 — Streets Department Sign moved out of the bike lane and onto the median

AldineDrSignoutofway2 — Streets Department Sign moved out of the bike lane and onto the median

Thanks to Jim’s work, the bike lane is now free of at least one significant hazard.