On Friday, June 5th, the SANDAG Transportation Committee took action on the $40 million Uptown Bikeway Corridor project (part of the $200 million early Action Program for the Regional Bike Plan). The original design concept brought forward after months of community input called for 12 miles of contiguous and protected bike lanes through areas of downtown to Hillcrest, Five Points to North Park, Hillcrest to Mission Valley, Hillcrest to Balboa Park and Five Points to Old Town. However, just prior to the Transportation Committee meeting, the staff recommendation for the agenda included a “constrained” Option (or same as existing condition) along the entire length of University Avenue. Upon learning of this recommendation the Bike Coalition and bike community immediately took action to call attention to the shortcomings and safety concerns left by this constrained option. The Bike Coalition organized a “Rally and Ride” on the morning of the Transportation Committee meeting from Hillcrest to the SANDAG offices downtown. Dozens of bicyclists and concerned riders joined in on the ride and attended the meeting well outnumbering those in favor of the new and constrained option. Thanks to our collective voice, the recommendation that was brought to the meeting as the constrained option was changed to include a portion of University Avenue (from 10th Ave. to Normal). While this is still not an optimal solution that leaves an unsafe gap on the city’s most dangerous corridor for bicyclists and pedestrians (University Avenue), the entire bikeway project can move forward and get San Diego its first protected bikeways, hopefully by 2017.
We’d like to thank everyone who came out in support of the original design concept and continuing to push for safer streets for bicyclists. Simply calling for sharing the road is unacceptable and we will continue to push for the completion of the entire planned corridor and improve safety for all; bicyclists, pedestrians and drivers.
Please join us to support a complete Uptown Corridor project and take action by becoming a member or the Bike Coalition today at www.sdbikecoalition.sdcbcdream.org. Our voice is strong and getting stronger and we need yours to be a part of our ongoing message for bicycle access and safety all throughout the County. We will continue to keep everyone posted on the latest developments for this and all future bikeway projects in the region.
