Your help is needed to keep sharrows/signage on 101 from Encinitas to Cardiff

[phxsun47]

Wanted to pass on this URGENT request below--summarized by SDBC--that affects all North County riders.  Your help is needed to email, call and/or attend the city council meeting next week--Sept 18th.  THANK YOU!   


Urgent: We Need Your Help
Encinitas Hwy 101
The City of Encinitas wants to make big changes for cyclists on a stretch of the 101, which will affect the safety of all cyclists using the road including our Saturday rides.

HERE’S THE PROBLEM:

Encinitas wants to reconfigure Hwy 101 in both directions from The Kook (Chesterfield  Dr.) south to the city limits with Solana Beach. This includes  the short downhill by The Kook, restaurant row and sprint section. The plan is reportedly scheduled to be voted on next Wednesday, September 18th at 6 p.m. Even if they don’t address it on the 18th, speaking then will be just as valuable, if not more. Public speaking on non-agenda items occurs at the beginning of the meeting. You can have up to three minutes.

Plan includes:

Removing the existing bike lanes
Narrowing the traffic lanes
Adding a “Class 4 bikeway,’ which is also called a "protected bike lane."
This new bike lane would be separated from the traffic lanes by using a variety of planters, stanchions, possibly parallel parked cars and “armadillos,” which are foot-long raised bumps shaped like armadillo shells.  It is likely to be filled with walkers, joggers, electric scooters, skateboarders, baby strollers, surfboards, and slow-moving beach cruisers and inexperienced cyclists.  And if they use cars as part of the barrier, can you imagine the passenger doors opening into cyclists, and cars encroaching into the “protected” bike lane as they try to park?

While we can still use the lane of traffic, the new plan will certainly cause confusion with motorists because [/b]city staff is recommending NO sharrows in the traffic lanes, an NO signage that says cyclists may use full lane[/b].  Drivers will believe we should/must be riding in the new bike lane. Imagine what that would be like.

We believe this plan poses more risk to all cyclists.

HERE’S WHAT WE WANT:

Keep the existing bike lanes.  Do NOT install the “protected bike lane.”
If they decide to move forward with the plan, then ...
we MUST have sharrows in the lane of traffic, and signage saying cyclists may use full lane.
HERE’S WHAT WE’RE ASKING YOU TO DO:

Attend the Encinitas City Council
Wednesday September 18 at 6pm
505 S Vulcan Ave, Encinitas, CA 92024.

Everyone is encouraged to speak.
It is especially important to speak if you live or work in Encinitas

Call/email the city with your concerns. The contact is:
Encinitas City Council
C/O Kathy Hollywood, City Clerk
clerk@encinitasca.gov           
P:(760) 633-2601
F:(760) 633-2627
Please do BOTH.  Email/call now, then show up on the 18th.  Decades of experience have taught us that a strong turnout at City Council meetings is the #1 way to affect public policy like this.


In communicating with Encinitas officials please include:

A one line sentence about you.
It might include your cycling, your profession, how much you love cycling, etc.
You involvement with the city - live / work / play (dining, shopping, bring guests, etc).
Explain in your own words why removing the existing bike lanes is a step backwards
and why, if it’s going to happen, sharrows and signage are necessary to inform motorists it’s lawful to ride there.
Please take action today!  Then show up at the Wednesday, September 18th meeting.