Earlier this year on May 10th, Dr. Dan Valentine encountered a sight on the SR-56 bike path that made him realize that he had missed death by five minutes
Car on SR-56 bike path and not the first time. Photo: Dr. Dan Valentine
In a letter he wrote to the Del Mar Times, Caltrans, and us Valentine stated the following:
I came across this scene while on a bike ride along the CA State 56 freeway during the evening rush hour commute on Friday. The car in the picture went off the road, through a fence and came to rest on the bike path that parallels the freeway. The accident happened about 5 minutes before I arrived on scene. The scary part is that my bike ride was delayed by about 5 minutes when I returned home to retrieve my cycling gloves. If we had met, I would have been hit head on (I took the picture after passing the car).
A few years ago, one cyclist was killed by a motorist running off the road and onto this same bike path. This tragic incident, hearing stories about other “near-misses” and seeing numerous holes in the fence over the years makes me think this path is nothing more than a bike lane on a freeway.
While the concept of a walk/jog/bike path along this East-West corridor is commendable, the design is severely flawed. Simply put, distracted drivers in speeding cars and cyclists do not mix. I ride the bike path about 3 times a week and more often during the summer. Seniors, parents and their young children; people of all ages enjoy this trail. I preferred the path because it appeared safer than the surface streets for riding my bike. I have serious doubts now.
Valentine contacted us wanting guidance on how to move forward and put pressure on Caltrans and we provided him with a visual designed by Copenhagenize Design to highlight world-class design guidelines on what sort of bicycle infrastructure ought to be designed based on speed limits and road design to accommodate all road users:
The Copenhagenize Bicycle Planning Guide
Caltrans can move people in cars with safety and comfort, but what about people on bicycles? Photo of SR-56 bike path by Dr. Dan Valentine
One of Caltrans' top Strategic goals is to "provide the safest transportation system in the nation for users and workers." In not providing San Diegans with a safe way to ride on the SR-56 bike path, they are failing in meeting one of their own goals. A more substantial barrier than a flimsy fence should be erected to ensure no more preventable deaths like Venuto's happens.
We contacted State Senator Marty Block whose district covers the SR-56 bike path to ask that his office take a lead on ensuring that Caltrans move on installing a more substantial barrier.
By May 21st, after some level of media attention, Valentine wrote to the Rancho Penasquitos Planning Board requesting that the Planning Board support his request to compel Caltrans to put in a sturdy guardrail to make the bike path safe.
Guardrail - It would be nice to install a guardrail along SR 56 where the Bike Path is close to the freeway. Four cars have left the freeway and ended up on the Bike Path since SR 56 opened. Nick Vento was killed in May 2011 in an extremely rare event, but users of this path expect a level of safety higher than they are getting. Class II riders throughout the City have different expectations.
Caltrans then responded as follows
As an alternative to metal beam guard railing, Caltrans plans to install concrete barrier along the edge of shoulder of EB SR-56 in areas where the bike path is less than 30 feet from the edge of traveled way. In these areas, the barrier will not be introducing a fixed object where there would otherwise be the standard minimum clear recovery zone for errant vehicles. Funding to design and construct the proposed project is anticipated for FY 2013/14 or FY 2014/15.
Valentine wrote back to Caltrans thanking them but urging them to make the improvements this year
I am pleased to learn of your response to a recent Rancho Penasquitos Planning Board request regarding bike path safety concerns along the SR 56 freeway. Your understanding of this serious public safety issue and the proposed remedy is admirable. However, given the serious risk to a significant number of cyclists, joggers, parents and children who utilize this bike path, it is requested that you make every effort to allocate funds in this fiscal year. In addition, I would request guidance on how the public provides input into the design and construction of the barrier along the path. Again, I applaud your sensitivity and your action to make the SR 56 bike path a safer and more user-friendly experience for everyone.
How many bicycle riders have to die before Caltrans prioritizes their safety? Photo: Dr. Dan Valentine
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Valentine then followed up with Senator Block on May 20th stating:
Caltrans has not responded directly to my initial request and have publicly stated they cannot comment due to pending litigation related to the death of the cyclist Nick Venuto almost 2 years ago.
The Caltrans response I obtained was from a March 6th Rancho Penasquitos Planning Board request via e-mail to look into the possibility of installing a barrier along the SR 56 bike path. The request apparently was not through the formal meeting process (since I couldn’t locate the request and Caltrans’ comments in the meeting minutes). I e-mailed the RPQ Planning Board chairman on Monday night requesting a copy of the e-mail with the Caltrans response but have received no response as of yet.
My concern is that the pending litigation against Caltrans could severely or even permanently delay action to mitigate this very serious public safety issue. Any action on your part to help ensure that Caltrans will follow through on their stated commitment would be greatly appreciated. As well, I believe my request to move up the timeline to install a barrier along the path is not unreasonable.
Again, I thank you for your interest and support in remedying this problem."
We haven't heard anything further from Block's office.
Earlier last month Valentine wrote to his State Senator Mark Wyland and the Rancho Penasquitos Planning Board stating the following (emphasis by Valentine):
After reviewing the Caltrans response documents (included below) provided by Michael Lieberman, I have a few observations and follow-up comments:
It is noted that four traffic collisions were documented in the report. Incident #4 dated 5-31-11 was the Nick Venuto fatal incident (including another person experiencing major injuries). The diagram and summary were deleted from the document (I suspect due to “pending litigation” or severity of the event). My hope is that no other incidents were omitted from this report.
Since June 2008, counting the 4 Caltrans documented events, 2 additional photographed incidents in June 2011 and March 2012 (see attached photos) and my recent event on May 10, 2013 (attached photo), the number of documented traffic collisions on this bike path totals seven events. This equates toone bike path breach every 8.6 months. At least 2 of the events (almost 30%) occurred during rush hour- 6:20 pm and 5:00pm; a time when freeway traffic and bike path usage are correspondingly high. As well, alcohol or fatigue were not factors in the collisions. Conclusion: It is not a matter of if another fence breach will occur but when, where and who will be affected.
The Caltrans proposal calls for a total of 733 feet of barrier to be installed along the entire bike path that extends some 10 miles. As best as I can determine, none of the seven documented collisions occurred in areas where the barriers are proposed to be installed. These events took place in areas where ice plant or shrubs are part of the landscape, doing nothing to stop the vehicles from reaching the path. Conclusion: Install barrier along all areas where there is a possibility of a bike path breach.
I believe it is imperative that every public agency/planning group do their part to ensure there is an expedient and adequate solution to this public safety issue. It is encouraging to know that Michael Lieberman (Representative Brain Maienschein’s office) has pledged to take the lead in communicating with Caltrans to ensure progress is being made to resolve this issue. Senator Marty Block’s office is also aware of developments relative to SR 56 bike path safety.
I would ask the Rancho Penasquitos Planning Board to lend vigorous support in getting this project to completion. I appreciate all your efforts to ensuring the safety of the SR 56 bike path.
Sincerely,
Dan Valentine
Yesterday evening, we had another similar incident that sadly resulted in injuries for the bicycle rider when a car flew off I-5 and onto Santa Fe Road.
As of today, no changes have been implemented on the SR-56 - two years after Venuto's death. Who knows how long it will take for Caltrans to implement changes along Santa Fe Street that adjoins the I-5. Will it take a lawsuit or a death before safety improvements are made?
We know Caltrans management can direct quick action when needed. Last year, Caltrans moved with incredible swiftness to remove Nick Venuto's ghost bike. However when it comes to the safety of San Diego's bicycle riders - Caltrans remains unwilling to move or act.
We would like you to write to Caltrans and ask them to install a protective and permanent barrier to protect the vulnerable road users from the vehicle operators who continue to put riders in danger and their lives at risk along SR-56 and I-5.
Email Caltrans at ct.public.information.d11@dot.ca.gov and copy your state elected official in your correspondence.
This was written by District 2 resident and BikeSD members, Kelly Cummings
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Thanks to BikeSD.org for the heads up on their events listings, I was able to attend the First Public Workshop for the Morena Boulevard Station Area Planning Study, that was scheduled for Wednesday, April 3, 2013 from 6:00 PM - 8:30 PM. The Workshop was held at the Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace & Justice on the campus of USD. There was a very good turn out and the meeting was well organized by KTU+A. It was informative and interactive with lots of opportunity to make suggestions and comments about the impacts on the local area.
I received a follow up email from Josie Calderon, telling me that the City of San Diego had posted the information on the web. There is a lot of good information and is worth the time to read all the .pdf's on the history and proposals for the area. If you are at all interested in having input, be aware there is a time constraint for the end of April 2013. They are looking for good input from users of the area infrastructure, biking, walking, multi-modal etc.
At our April 3rd workshop for the Morena Blvd Station Area Planning Study we went over Existing Conditions and I wanted to make you aware that the City has posted those workshop materials on its web page. Please check out the following direct links to the City's pages with the information:
Please know that public comment on the Existing Conditions materials will close the end of April 2013 so we can move forward with alternatives development. Also, the City is adding a link to the Mobility Survey, please we ask that all community participants provide their input via the online version:
Thank you for your input,
Josie Calderon
Community Outreach Consultant under KTU+A
The Morena Boulevard Station Area Planning Study will engage the community to make future community plan policy changes and physical multi modal mobility improvements in order to increase access to transit at the two programmed Mid-Coast Light Rail Transit stations at Tecolote Road and Clairemont Drive. The study will identify strategies to achieve sustainable transit rider ship for new and existing services, improve neighborhood walkability and bicycle routes, and support transit-oriented development that will provide high-quality housing, employment, and community spaces for residents of Clairemont and Linda Vista consistent with the City’s General Plan.
One of the stated goals of the study: "A multi modal mobility concept plan that works in concert with the land use and contains a prioritized non-motorized mobility and multi-modal connectivity improvements with planning level cost estimates needed at the planned and existing LRT stations as well as the surrounding areas aimed at creating an inviting and safe pedestrian, bicycle, and transit environment and facilitating traffic circulation."
The Morena Boulevard Station Planning Area is within the communities of Linda Vista and Clairemont Mesa as shown on the Station Area Boundary map (in or on the edge of SD District Two). This includes the planned Mid-Coast Light Rail Transit (LRT) stations at the intersections of Morena Boulevard with Clairemont Drive and with Tecolote Drive and the existing Green Line LRT station at Morena Boulevard and Linda Vista Road.
A view from the Clairemont Drive bridge looking south along Morena Boulevard. The proposed Trolley Station will be this side of Ingulf Street, at the light and crosswalk right where the tracks bend, and will be right up close to Morena Boulevard. photo: Kelly CummingsA view from the Tecolote Road bridge over Highway-5 and the train tracks. The Tecolote Trolley Station will be right here and a little under the bridge. photo: Kelly Cummings
On Saturday April 6, 2013, community members, City staff, and the consultant team participated in a walk audit of the Study Area to:
1) foster discussion with community stakeholders about the topics of mobility and land use/urban form;
2) provide stakeholders a “walking perspective” of the study area; and
3) provide a forum where community stakeholders can identify the location of both successful areas as well as those in need of improvement. The walk is designed to allow participants to respond to questions and record their own observations.
If you would like to conduct the walk audit on your own, you can submit your comments to Michael Prinz via email at mprinz@sandiego.gov Please provide any comments by the end of April 2013.
How To Get Involved? --- There are several ways to get involved in the Morena Boulevard Planning Study:
Study Web site - This website will be updated regularly as the study progresses to provide more information on the alternatives, the analysis, and next steps.
Contact Us - All comments received will be considered in developing and analyzing the land use and transportation proposals. Email Michael Prinz at mprinz@sandiego.gov
Next up: Community Workshop #2 - Analysis (Sometime in June 2013)
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A lot of the focus at the first meeting understandably seemed to be on what impacts the local neighborhood would have to deal with. I suggested that these stations would become a destination for citizens coming from Mission Valley, La Mesa and El Cajon and points east as well as citizens coming up from south San Diego Bay, National City, Chula Vista and such. They would want to access Mission Bay Park but would find it very difficult and dangerous crossing the Tecolote Road and Clairemont Drive bridges. If we are to share Mission Bay Park with our neighbors from other parts, we have to make it safe for families to walk, bike and skate into the park from Morena Boulevard.
Soon we'll be seeing studies for the Morena Boulevard and Balboa Avenue Trolley Station. This is another very difficult area for bicyclist and pedestrians. Give it some thought and be prepared to suggest some good fixes.
BikeSD Board member and Ocean Beach resident, Nicole Burgess, has been steadily advocating to transform Nimitz Boulevard from its current sorry state to a world-class greenway that provides a safe passage for all its users, especially its bicycle riders. Burgess leads Ocean Beach's bike train to school on a daily basis and traversing the high speed sections of Nimitz Boulevard doesn't make for a very pleasant riding environment for either adults or children.
Burgess has engaged her local Councilmember, Kevin Faulconer in her advocacy efforts and now her efforts have gotten the support from the County Board of Supervisors Chairman, Greg Cox. Below is a copy of the letter Cox sent to Caltrans Transportation Planner, Connery Cepeda stating his support for a Class 1 bike facility on Nimitz Boulevard. The SANDAG Regional Bike Plan calls for cycletracks to be built on Nimitz Boulevard as part of its early action projects and we hope that this letter of support from Chairman Cox speeds up the design and construction process so more children in Ocean Beach can ride in comfort to their schools on a safe, comfortable and inviting bicycle facility.
This past Tuesday, City Council made another small step in demonstrating its bicycle friendliness: Council voted unanimously to remove the unenforced and unenforceable bicycle registration requirement. The motion to remove the requirement came from District 5's Councilmember Mark Kersey and was seconded by District 2's Councilmember, Kevin Faulconer.
This originally came up in the Public Safety and Neighborhood Services Committee meeting last October and the issue finally made its way to the full City Council for a unanimous vote. In passing this vote, the city loses approximately $260 in revenue, annually.
Thank you to everyone who supported this effort and helped ensure its removal.
Edit: Removal of this requirement doesn't preclude reporting of second-hand bike sales to the police department. This ensures that bike thieves don't have a easy way of getting rid of stolen bicycles.
Edit 2: Special thanks to BikeSD member and supporter Geoff Stilz who was instrumental in articulating the reasons on why the bicycle license requirement needed to be removed. Stilz researched the issue and bolstered our own efforts by making an excellent case on why San Diego needed to eliminate the requirement. Thank you, Geoff!
