New infrastructure often takes time for people to adjust to, but Vista's City Council chose to remove protected bike lanes just months after installation, before the community had time to acclimate. Advocates warn this reactionary move prioritizes short-term discomfort over long-term safety for people who bike.

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“If the logic is that a curb or barrier should be removed because a car might hit it, we risk setting a dangerous precedent,” said Chloé Lauer, responding to Vista’s decision to dismantle newly installed protected bike lanes following driver complaints.

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Kevin Baross, Education Manager with the San Diego County Bike Coalition, viewed the video and commented on the incident. "Obviously it's important to look where you're going. I think it'd be silly to say anything else," said Baross.

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Vista, California’s Mayor John Franklin says a fully installed protected bike lane is evidence of an “anti-vehicle agenda.” San Diego Bicycle Coalition Advocacy & Community Manager Ian Hembree sheds light (13:44). 

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“Regulations in accordance with the other cities would make the law clearer for both cyclists who are traversing all three cities  and law enforcement whose responsibility it is to enforce the law,” Ian Hembree, advocacy and community manager for the San Diego County Bicycle Coalition, said during public comment.

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Lower speed limits save both lives and money, says Ian. Reducing speeds has been proven to decrease crash severity and insurance costs, but speed limits alone aren’t enough. True safety comes from better street design—including narrower lanes, speed bumps, raised crosswalks, and protected bike lanes. With traffic fatalities still too high, these infrastructure changes are key to creating safer, more livable streets for everyone.

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Chloé was recently featured in the news discussing the Imperial Avenue Bikeway Project, a transformative investment in Southeast San Diego. In her interview, Chloé highlighted how the project will improve safety, mobility, and business access, countering misconceptions that bike lanes hurt local businesses. Rather, protected bike lanes can boost foot traffic and revitalize storefronts. As the city works towards Vision Zero, the Bike Coalition continues advocating for complete streets that serve everyone.

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After losing her husband Matt Keenan to a preventable bike crash in Mission Valley, Laura Keenan turned her grief into action. She co-founded Families for Safe Streets San Diego, advocating for safer intersections, lower speed limits, and protected bike lanes. Her work has already helped fund safety upgrades at San Diego’s 15 most dangerous intersections, and she continues to push for policies that protect vulnerable road users—especially children on their way to school. Laura’s fight for change is making our streets safer for everyone. She is also a Bike Coalition Board member.

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