San Diegan Cyclists and California's Vehicle Code 21202 (a)
California's Vehicle Code 21202 (a) states:
21202. (a)Any person operating a bicycle upon a roadway at a speed less than the normal speed of traffic moving in the same direction at that time shall ride as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway except under any of the following situations:
(1) When overtaking and passing another bicycle or vehicle proceeding in the same direction.
(2) When preparing for a left turn at an intersection or into a private road or driveway.
(3) When reasonably necessary to avoid conditions (including, but not limited to, fixed or moving objects, vehicles, bicycles, pedestrians, animals, surface hazards, or substandard width lanes) that make it unsafe to continue along the right-hand curb or edge, subject to the provisions of Section 21656. For purposes of this section, a "substandard width lane" is a lane that is too narrow for a bicycle and a vehicle to travel safely side by side within the lane.
(4) When approaching a place where a right turn is authorized.
Amended Sec. 4, Ch. 674, Stats. 1996. Effective January 1, 1997.
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San Diego cyclist, Andrew Wooley was cited for violating CVC 21202(a) on March 6th, 2009. Woolley's citation was for failing to ride on the right-hand side of the road. At his hearing a few months ago in August, Woolley showed how the two exceptions to the vehicle code applied to him in this particular instance. The Judge agreed with Woolley and yet ruled that cyclists were required to ride on the curb line.
Woolley sent us a copy of his transcript [pdf] recently. He is currently appealing the ruling. We will keep you posted on what happens.
When I contacted District Council member Todd Gloria about this issue several months ago, his office responded stating the following:
Councilmember Gloria is aware of this issue and has been in touch with members of the cycling community, the San Diego Police Department, and the City Attorney's office about it. The last we heard was the City Attorney's office was working with SDPD to ensure that officers do not wrongly ticket cyclists. This was at the end of June. Has there been any further incidents of citations since the end of June? If so, I would be happy to follow up.
I have not heard about other citations issued regarding real or apparent violations of CVC 21202.
Meanwhile, BikeSD will keep on top of this case with Woolley and continue to keep you updated.
North County Developer Promises Smart Growth by Creating more Sprawl
Our friends up in San Diego's north county's coastal region recently wrote about the Merriam Mountain project - a new housing development that is redefining what "smart growth" means.
The developers have rights to build 345 houses. They do not own the development rights to build 2,700 houses.
The developer, Stonegate Development Company, requested an upzone which the San Diego County Planning Commission granted with only two commissioners voting against the upzone, one being Peter Norby who wrote:
If we are to have confidence as a society in these General Plans. we need to uphold them and adhere to them.
To the extent we do so, citizens gain confidence and trust in our government and our planning documents. To the extent we don't adhere to them, and upzone or do political favors, citizens (including planning commissioners) become skeptical and mistrust government and the planning documents. Done to an extreme, they can become worthless.
Like our constitution there is an amendment process call a General Plan Amendment Application...[The Merriam Mountain project] results in in 35,000 vehicle trips a day. More vehicle trips on Hwy 15 during peak hour than the entire NCTD Coaster removes from I-5 all day at huge tax payer expense.
A population of around 8000 in a urban development pattern with approx 1700 school age children. No schools, No library, no post office, and only freeway serving commercial down by I-15 at the off ramp.
The nearest schools elementary middle and high school, are 8 miles to 12 miles away (the exception is twin oaks elementary where 1/3 will go, it is 2 miles away)This is a development pattern that is typical of urban sprawl.
The developer, Stonegate, envisions that the planned community will look like the image above. Despite projecting a vision of smart growth for the community, there is not a mention of walkability or bikability for the new community. For example, the goal is to widen Deer Springs Road into four lanes:
Q: How will the project mitigate its traffic impacts?
A: The development of Merriam Mountains provides an opportunity to address some long-standing traffic problems in the community. Deer Springs Road is planned to be widened to four lanes from I-15 to Twin Oaks Valley Road, and improvements are proposed to the I-15/Deer Springs Road interchange. These improvements are designed to improve existing level of service as well as accommodate cumulative impacts from other planned projects.
In addition to the problems with creating more sprawl, there has been plenty of opposition from residents in the area strongly in opposition to the development.
To voice your concerns, the authors from The Leucadia Blog has urged readers to contact the County supervisors using the email addresses listed below:
Greg Cox - greg.cox@sdcounty.ca.gov
Dianne Jacob -dianne.jacob@sdcounty.ca.gov (who has also been stalling in taking action against Pointe Communities for blocking a one mile stretch of bike lane along Jamacha Boulevard).
Pam Slate - pam.slater@sdcounty.ca.gov
Ron Roberts - ron.roberts@sdcounty.ca.gov
Stolen Bike Alert!
Unfortunately one of the downsides of a growing bicycle community is the existence of the lowest of the lowest forms of organisms - a bicycle thief.
A reader, T. Smith has just had his bicycle stolen. He unfortunately does not have a picture of his steed, below is a description:
Hi, I am a student at UCSD who recently had his 2009 Giant Rincon stolen. Black with a few scratches. The seat was taken off at the time along with the back light. The front light was a Quark-5 Super Brite LED. It had disc brakes and was a 24 speed. The tires are different. I have both the serial and license numbers. Any leads would be greatly appreciated! Please contact me at (281)217-8468 or gulfcoastsurfer[at]gmail.com.
If anyone has any leads, please leave a comment or contact the owner directly.
An update:
I had the bike locked over Thanksgiving break outside my dorm (Argo) with all other bikes (lesson learned.) The lock was a Kryptonite combo chain and U lock. When I returned after break, both the bike and lock were missing, no trace that my bike had even been there. I have already reported it to campus police. Thanks for all the support so far!
Work Underway Along Santa Fe Street
I received this via email:
The project schedule and work hours have been changed due to a large boulder that crews encountered during the boring process in mid-November. New work hours will be Monday to Friday from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. And Sunday to Thursday from 6 p.m. To 6 a.m.
The product team anticipates a new project completion date of February 2010 due to delays in AT&T's schedule for relocating its equipment
As stated in previous correspondence, the antiquated sewer line running adjacent to Rose Canyon Creek will be replaced by a new pipeline along the west side of Santa Fe Stret from Damon to the bridge at approximately 5181 Santa Fe Street. The replacement pipeline will ensure a cleaner creek bed in the future and eliminate the potential for environmental damage from line ruptures.
A Holiday Toy Ride to Benefit El Cajon Children
From the San Diego Union Tribune:
Cyclists are being asked to join a holiday toy ride tomorrow by the La Mesa Bicycle Racing Club.
Cyclists carrying donated toys will ride from a La Mesa coffee shop to the East County Boys & Girls Club in El Cajon, where the gifts will be dropped off.
The group will meet at 8 a.m. at Cosmos Coffee Shop, 8278 La Mesa Blvd. in La Mesa, then bicycle to the club at 1171 E. Madison Ave. in El Cajon. A support vehicle will be available to transport larger toys. Toys can be dropped off at the coffee shop for those who cannot participate but want to donate a gift.
The La Mesa Bicycle Racing Club is a group of recreational cyclists who support a variety of racing, social and community service events. For more information, go to bikebuddies.org.