HomeMy WebLinkAbout5/16/2024 Item 5, Rands
Wilbanks, Megan
From:Fukushima, Adam
Sent:Thursday, May 16, 2024 12:55 PM
To:Advisory Bodies
Subject:FW: FW: Public Input Opportunity: Higuera Complete Streets Project
Please see agenda correspondence for item 5 on tonight’s ATC agenda.
From: Barry Rands <slobcrands@gmail.com>
Sent: Thursday, May 16, 2024 12:34 PM
To: Fukushima, Adam <AFukushi@slocity.org>
Cc: information@slobc.org; president@slobc.org; safety@slobc.org; William Benedict <willbenedict@me.com>
Subject: Re: FW: Public Input Opportunity: Higuera Complete Streets Project
Adam,
I looked through the plans and never saw any mention of the two-way cycle track on the Madonna/101 overpass. But if
it is in consideration, as SLOBC Safety Director, I am opposed to this option and favor keeping bike lanes in their existing
locations. I would have been very curious as to how cyclists would transition back to the normal direction of travel, but
I'm sure it would require a sophisticated system of signals that would require everyone to pay attention to. I am seeing
these special signals a lot in San Luis Obispo. I wonder what % of drivers and cyclists are paying attention and following
them?
Aside from the transition issue, there is also the matter of crossing the busy entrance to Madonna Inn. Intersections are
always high risk locations for cyclists. Adding the complexity of a two-way cycle track is likely not going to reduce that
risk.
There are two other issues that I commented on previously and will repeat them here:
1. Please terminate protective concrete curbs at least 100 feet prior to locations where right turns are allowed so that
through cyclists have room to move into the lane to avoid conflicts with right turning traffic.
2. I am in favor of the proposed configuration at the intersection of Higuera and LOVR. The alternative that keeps cyclists
behind a protective curb and to the right of right turning traffic is not a safe configuration as it restricts cyclist's choices
of how to safely travel through the intersection and instead puts the cyclist at the mercy of drivers, assuming that they
will pay attention to the special signals that will be used to control movements at that intersection. I know from
personal experience that many drivers ignore the "No Right Turns on Red" sign at that intersection and I do not have any
reason to believe that they will pay attention to the special signals that would need to be installed there.
Thank you for soliciting our opinion.
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