News, Links, and Other Views

June 6, 2013
|In News
|By BikeSD Staff

City of San Diego

  • The Plaza de Panama Committee has appealed the court decision finding that the plan to construct an addition to the Cabrillo Bridge was illegal, prompting the Save Our Heritage Organization to also file an appeal.
  • As San Diego introduces new regulations that will make it easier for restaurants to get permits for sidewalk cafes, some people worry about conflicts between patrons, pedestrians, and cyclists.
  • The city of San Diego is struggling to find ways to maintain its sidewalks, though it has been able to provide access ramps to them.
  • Public meetings are being held for the Mid-Coast Trolley Line – construction on the project might begin in 2015 and be operational in 2018.

San Diego Region

  • SANDAG has appealed the court decision finding its 2050 Regional Transportation Plan to be illegal and, despite the legal decision against them, are still moving forward with the plan.
  • Construction of the Inland Rail Trail may start in 2014 and be completed in 2019.
  • Sharrows are coming to Solana Beach.
  • The Poway City Council has approved the EIR for plans to widen Espola Road.
  • The Amtrak Pacific Surfliner has canceled plans requiring a $5.00 bike reservation fee, though it still requires you to make a reservation in order to take a bike on the train.
  • An 8 year old boy was run over by a car in Fallbrook, the CHP says the child rode out in front of the vehicle.

Elsewhere

  • An Arizona woman pleaded guilty to second degree murder after killing a cyclist, she initially claimed the cyclist rode out in front of her vehicle.
  • Bike lanes in the Eagle Rock and Highland Park neighborhoods of Los Angeles have divided the community.
  • The California Senate has passed a bill to reform CEQA.
  • If you didn’t already know, it’s a good time to be a cyclist in the USA, as bike shares pop up across the country and bike lanes and ridership increase nationwide.
  • A field report from New York’s newly opened bike share, which seems to be working despite a freak-out at the Wall Street Journal.
  • Portland Oregon based Bicycle Transportation Alliance released a new transportation blueprint calling for cycle tracks along busy streets.
  • Oregonians consider whether taxing sales of new bicycles is a good idea.
  • The Chico City Council is considering using eminent domain to acquire land to build a bike path bridge.
  • A new bike trail was opened in Santa Cruz.
  • Chicago has increased traffic fines for bicyclists and motorists.
  • A motorist was arrested in Virginia after running down a cyclist while driving 5 miles on a bike trail.
  • Residents of Limerick Pennsylvania are very concerned about plans for new bike paths and greenways.
  • A study finds that commuting to work by bicycle could boost the British economy by £13.7 billion annually.
  • A petition by the Washington Area Bicyclists Association has resulted in federal agencies withdrawing claims exaggerating the safety benefits of bike helmets.