Like a swift kick in the head, the Bay Conservation and Development Commissioners (BCDC) voted 14-2 on May 6 to permit Caltrans to build a new trestle span of the Hayward-San Mateo Bridge without offering any bicycle access. Not now, not ever! The HSM may become the only one of eight bay crossings that restrict bicycle access in the next century.
What happened to the optimism that prevailed following the January BCDC Hearing when a majority of Commissioners voiced their support for our access proposal? First, Caltrans stubbornly refused to acknowledge that the new WB bridge could accommodate a Class I bike path with three traffic lanes and a full shoulder (the existing span would be converted to three EB traffic lanes with two full shoulders). Second, Caltrans claimed that bicycle access would need to be added to the existing design at an exorbitant cost in comparison to the under $7million they previously estimated for our preferred "Option 4" and necessary eastern approach modifications (which represents less than 4% of the total $190million project). Third, Caltrans lobbied San Mateo County business interests to pressure BCDC Commissioners. And finally, Caltrans assembled a sizable "mitigation package" to help mollify any guilt that a Commissioner might feel for voting to deny the maximum feasible public access by approving the permit.
Many Commissioners publicly acknowledged the speciousness of Caltrans' demand that the crossing required four full shoulders for motorists' safety. Conversion of such "safety shoulders" on the Dumbarton Bridge to traffic lanes provided a reminder of the likely Caltrans intentions.
We consistently argued the need to build bicycle access into the project under consideration. This "build what you can when you can" attitude acknowledged that the high-rise portion of the bridge was not slated for reconstruction. Yet while numerous examples exist of building transportation projects in anticipation of future extensions, the Commissioners were unwilling to allow that principle to be applied to bicyclists.
Now we are faced with a tough dilemma. Either we accept the decision and turn our attention to other pressing issues, or we stand up for bicyclists' rights (See California Streets & Highways Code 30112). In particular, the rights of bicyclists who are not served by the mitigation measures.
At a minimum we should insure that when bicycle access on the HSM bridge is revisited in the future, barriers to reaching the span itself do not preclude consideration of such access. Under the present plan, the Route 92 east approach does not offer sufficient room for a bike path beyond the Hayward Interpretive Center. The EBBC has never condoned filling the bay as a way to gain access for bicyclists. To realign this approach for a path would cost $3.3 million according to Caltrans. The wisdom of doing this now is noted in a letter to BCDC from Harry Yahata, Caltrans District Director. The letter states: "If this realignment would be done as a separate project, the estimated cost would be 3 or 4 times higher."
We live in an age of large and costly transportation projects. It is prudent to recognize that some bicycle projects, like the HSM bridge, will need to be incremental. Abundant precedent exists to build facilities in anticipation of future projects.
-Robert Raburn
Install Bay Trail pedestrian overcrossing and approaches over Rt. 92
Install bus and parking improvements at the Hayward Shoreline Interpretive Center
Implement a bicycle shuttle program
Create a $100,000 fund for implementing the HARD's salt pond enhancement plan
Demonstrate acquisition of adequate funding to construct the Baumberg Tract Trail
Demonstrate acquisition of adequate funding for Bay Trail Connection between the Hayward-SM and Dumbarton Bridges in the East Bay
Create a $50,000 fund for work on the 4.77-acre parcel
Note: Some of these may not be true mitigations because Caltrans will try to tap alternate funding sources.
30112. The department and commission shall consider the inclusion of bicycle and pedestrian facilities on each new toll bridge designed and constructed pursuant to this division, including appropriate connections thereto. Such facilities shall be included on each such new bridge if the commission finds that they are economically and physically feasible. If the commission finds such facilities are not feasible, it shall report its findings to the Legislature at least one year prior to commencement of construction, including the facts on which the commission based its decision.
The cost of the bicycle and pedestrian facilities on the approaches to the toll bridge shall be paid by the commission as a part of the cost of construction of the toll bridge, unless the cost of such facilities is to be paid by a governmental agency other than a state agency. The feasibility study for such facilities shall reflect whether the commission or a governmental agency other than a state agency shall pay the cost of such facilities.
The Legislature finds that the increased use of the bicycle is a desirable activity which should be encouraged by the improvement of access available to that mode of transportation. It is the intent of the Legislature, in enacting this section, to provide for the use of toll bridges by both pedestrians and bicycles, wherever this is economically and physically feasible.
The prospect of reopening the 78-mile Yosemite Valley Railroad Line (Merced-El Portal) is about as likely as a pedal trip up the face of Half Dome. Ditto the chances of a car-free valley floor with visitors offered frequent bicycle-friendly bus service from Modesto, Merced or Fresno. Even a limited transit "demonstration project" is beleaguered.
When public hearings on the Yosemite Valley Plan were last held in San Francisco during late 1997 (see rideOn, January, 1998), Bay Area residents voiced tremendous support to create a world-class public transportation system to the Valley. Reducing the number of vehicles that clog and degrade the park was repeatedly voiced as a primary goal. Bruce Babbitt, Secretary of the Interior, led the call for replacing cars with public transportation in three of the nation's crown-jewel national parks: Yosemite, Grand Canyon and Zion. Since then, the proceedings for the Yosemite Area Regional Transportation Strategy (YARTS) have been held in Merced, far from the ears of Bay Area residents.
The YARTS proposal is getting battered by local interests. Already, the YARTS demonstration has been postponed and Tuolumne and Madera counties have pulled out of the Joint Powers Agreement with Merced County. Now the California Transportation Commission (CTC) threatens to curtail funding for even the "watered-down" version of this important public transit option to Yosemite.
So you can learn more and voice your opinions, the EBBC and CBC will sponsor a Yosemite Valley Plan and Transportation Forum at 6PM on June 21 at the Oakland Federal Bldg Auditorium, 1301 Clay St. Representatives from the National Park Service will be on hand. Meanwhile, the EBBC will make a stand in favor of bicycle-friendly transit before the CTC in Merced on June 4. The results of the CTC hearing will be announced in Oakland.
-Robert Raburn
PLEASANTON Cyclists Needed to Counter Neighbor Opposition. The proposed Arroyo Mocho Paving Project would offer a convenient Class I underpass crossing of busy Santa Rita Rd and extend west about two miles to proposed paths adjacent to I-680. Responsible cyclists can help remove the neighbor's unfounded fears in an informal setting by attending a site visit at 7pm on Monday June 21 meeting at the Zone 7 Water Agency, 5997 Parkside Dr, Pleasanton. A public hearing is slated for 7pm on Tuesday June 29 at 1155 Santa Rita Rd. For more information contact Victor Voong, Assistant Engineer, at (925) 484-8115 or Robert Raburn, EBBC Chair, at (510) 530-3444.
ORINDA Two bicycle circulation proposals have been reviewed by Michael Jackson, CoCoCo Bicycle Coordinator and the EBBC. A plan to restripe Moraga Way between Overhill Rd and Ivy Dr will provide a wider lane for bicyclists. In support of this project, we only note the need to include destination signage along the route. More problematical is the Downtown Circulation proposal to move bicycle traffic from Camino Pablo onto the sidewalk under Hwy 24. Careful review of the plans for the area reveal that the safest option would be to stripe a Class II bike lane under the freeway and eliminate the dual right turn lanes leading to the WB Hwy 24 onramp. Bicycling residents of Orinda who support creating on-street facilities over silly sidewalk routes should contact Maria Robinson, Assistant Engineer, 26 Orinda Way, Orinda CA 94563. For more info, contact Michael Jackson (tel: 925-335-1278).
OAKLAND After over a decade of advocacy by stalwart member Derek Liecty, the Temescal Path next to Hwy 13 is almost complete (no signs yet). The recently installed curb cut just below the tunnel on the south end of the trail provides a shortcut from Montclair to upper Broadway and Berkeley.
EBRPD The ideas in the Iron Horse Corridor Management Program are being put to use already. East Bay Regional Park District has placed a sign along the Iron Horse Trail which tells people that drinking water and restrooms are available off the Trail in Walden Park, which is maintained by the City of Walnut Creek. Meanwhile, EBRPD staff responded negatively to an EBBC request to revise their narrow bollard spacing at trail entrances to conform with the 60" Caltrans standard. James MacKay, Denver engineer and bike coordinator, regards bollards as the "spawn of Satan."
HOLLYWOOD Merchants along Hollywood Blvd declined to install bike parking because it would be out of character with the area. Like, you know, it's so LA.
OAKLAND A merchant bike parking request program is now underway. Bicyclists can contact Kathryn Hughes, Bicycle Coordinator (tel: 510-238-6493) for brochures to share with interested merchants.
EMERYVILLE Brian Donahue reports that the Emeryville BAC has been defunded.
BERKELY The Transportation Commission revisited the issue of restriping Claremont Avenue to reduce the number of travel lanes while providing for a center turn lane and two bike lanes. Although criticized by several Claremont area neighbors, public response was quite positive to the idea. The committee will hopefully resolve the issue later this summer. Until then, some minor modifications will be made to the street to improve pedestrian safety.
BIKE TO WORK THANKS The following individuals and companies contributed at least $50 for BTW prizes: Kaiser ($100), DKS Associates, Waste Management, Terranomics, California Regional Water Quality Control Board, San Francisco Estuary Project, and Ed Cullen. Without their help we would not have been able to award a high-quality new commuter bicycle and a trailer to the participants in downtown Oakland. These prizes helped attract approximately 300 bicycle commuters who consumed a record 30lbs of pancake flour before we ran out of food by 9am.
SAN PABLO Members of the San Pablo Traffic Safety Committee were unsympathetic to our proposal to improve bicycle safety at the San Pablo Dam Rd intersection with Amador. We will continue to press for the needed intersection improvements as part of the larger "I-80 Corridor Bicycle Improvements" proposed by Michael Jackson for West CoCoCo.
MARIN BIKE SWAP & SALE Trips for Kids and the Re-Cyclery will sponsor the 8th annual benefit on the weekend of June 26-27 from 10am to 3pm at the San Rafael High School at Mission and Union. $2 admission. Until we succeed in opening the RSR Bridge to bikes, East Bay bicyclists only have the option of riding Golden Gate #40 buses every 90 minutes from El Cerrito Del Norte BART for $2.50 each way (always have a bungee cord handy when using transit)
BATLUC (Bay Area Transportation and Land Use Coalition) will unveil their Smart Growth Platform and Action Agenda to the media, decision makers and the general public at 11am on Wednesday, June 23 in the park above Lake Merritt BART (opposite MTC Metrocenter, 101 8th St. BATLUC represents more than 45 environmental, social justice, transit, bicycle, pedestrian, and housing organizations throughout the Bay Area. For more information contact Marcello Lanfranchi marcello@sirius.com 510-834-2630.
Bike Summer is buzzing around the planet, and you are invited to attend San Francisco's own Bike Summer `99!
Think of it as the "Summer of Love" or "Redwood Summer" meets the Pedal Revolution. It begins with the July 30, 1999 Critical Mass bicycle ride, San Francisco's largest monthly community cycling celebration. The ENTIRE month of August features various bicycle events every day. There are plenty of fun rides, parties, mountain biking, campouts, bike rodeo, and bike ballet already scheduled. Bike Summer also explores cycling for a sustainable transportation balance, and healthier, happier communities; these activities include demonstrations, activist workshops, art exhibits, historical tours, cultural tours, and more. For more information, visit the Bike Summer calendar at http://www.bikesummer.org/events/index.htm.
Cyclists from around the world are pedaling to San Francisco's Bike Summer. Come enjoy exploring the San Francisco Bay Area with friends both old and new. Don't miss this historic planetary gathering to celebrate cycling, and get ready to greet the year 2000 on two wheels.
Organizers are accepting submissions/contributions for our summer events publication. The focus is cycling, bike culture, alternative transit issues, social and environmental concerns, and their relation to transportation and land use. Please limit your submissions to between 500-1000 words. Related photographs and drawings are also welcome. Email your original work with your contact information to: zine@bikesummer.org, or send them to
BikeSummer
c/o San Francisco Bicycle Coalition,
1095 Market St., Suite 215,
San Francisco CA 94103.
BIKE for San Francisco's young people and raise funds for after-school programs sponsored by the youth leadership organization Do Something.
WHAT: The Do Something San Francisco Day Ride (25 miles)
WHEN: Saturday, June 19, 1999
REGISTRATION: 7:30 - 8:30 a.m. (Ride begins at 9:00 a.m.)
COST: $15 to pre-register; $25 to register on the day of the bike ride. Raise $100 or more and qualify to win great prizes, such as a Schwinn Phantom bike, dinner for 2 at one of San Francisco's finest restaurants, and other great prizes.
WHERE: Fort Mason Center (North end of the Great Meadow at Bay and Laguna Streets)
WHY: Have fun and raise money for Do Something's after-school programs to inspire and empower young people to make a difference in their communities (see details below).
(The fund-raising is not a requirement to ride in the bike ride. Only the registration fee is.)
TO REGISTER: Pick up a brochure at a San Francisco Blockbuster or TImberland store, call the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition at 415-431-BIKE (2453) ext. 7 or register online at www.dosomething.org
CELEBRATE! After the bike ride and service project, stick around at Fort Mason for live music, a non-profit fair and the send-off of 25 bike riders who are biking cross-country from San Francisco to New York City and who have raised money for after-school programs. Music includes the hot New Orleans-based band Galactic and other fun music.
For more information, visit www.dosomething.org or email Martha Elder at melder@dosomething.org.
Netherlands: With the decision for an investment program of totally nearly 118 million Euro [$124 million] for the years 2000 - 2004 for construction, extension and redeployment of bicycle parking facilities at railway stations, the Dutch Parliament laid a nice gift under the Christmas tree of Dutch cyclists.
This decision is the logical sequence of the agreement about quality and quantity of bicycle parking facilities at stations, that the Dutch Ministry of Transport and the Railways made in the end of 1997 after the privatisation of the railway company.
As the intermodal approach has become a figure-head in Dutch mobility policy, and as the transport chain of train and bicycle has proven its efficiency since long time, the decision for this investment program for at least five years was necessary, because the annual budgets hitherto showed to be inadequate.
For the first time, bicycle parking facilities have become element of the long-range plan for Infrastructure and Transport MIT, where they are equal part beside other big projects like a tunnel under the North Sea Canal, underground lines and motorways
Switzerland: Doubling the modal share of the bicycle in commuter traffic (1995: 7%), in shopping (1995: 5%) and recreational traffic (1995: 7%) by 2007, by substituting car use by non-motorized transport, that is one of the ambitious targets of the Swiss Action Plan for Environment and Health.
Following the WHO Europe recommendations that all member states should develop a national action plan for environment and health until 1997, the Swiss Department of Health has done its homework.
The plan is based on the WHO strategy Health for All until 2000 and the European Charter Environment and Health and should be regarded as supplement to the Swiss strategy paper on sustainable development.
Besides Nature and well-being and living and well-being, mobility and well-being is one of the three spear-heads of this program.
The plan, which is embedded in other activities, states clearly that the realization of these objectives is only possible by means of inter-sectoral co-operation on all political levels as well as by public-private partnership.
It is planned to finance the activities by bundling existing budgets plus additional pilot projects.
Denmark: The Danish Cyclists Federation has launched a national "Cycle To Work" campaign, in co-operation with the municipalities, supported by the Ministry of Environment. The main theme of the campaign was that cycling to work is healthy and fun, and that it is an ideal opportunity to integrate exercise into daily life "We have launched this campaign as a positive event for all Danish companies and employees. We wanted to give them the chance to experience the joy of cycling.
Therefore we made a national competition. For their kilometers by bike they got shares in a lottery", says campaign leader Lars Andreassen.
The goal of the campaign was not only to make people shift from car to bicycle for short and medium distance trips, but also to put transport, health and environmental issues on the agenda of companies and municipalities.
Every fifth Danish city council participated as organizer of the campaign. Typically, they invited all local companies to competition; they nominated most cycle-friendly company and organized a local competition additional to the national one.
"By co-operating with the Danish Cyclists Federation in this campaign we got an opportunity to get in touch with the companies in health, transport and environmental matters", says a representative of the councils, "The fact that the companies themselves have put the issues on the agenda is a good platform for future work".
30,211 people took part in the campaign and cycled to work for three weeks. Altogether, they cycled 3.5 million kilometers, avoiding the pollution from 300,000 liters of fuel. The evaluation has shown that one of ten participants was a "new" cyclist, who used the car before, nine of ten cycled already before the campaign.
But 74% of them said that they cycled more often during the campaign. 94% of the participants said that they will continue cycling and will participate again in the next years campaign.
For more information please contact Lars Andreassen or Anne Rosenvold at +45 33 32 31 21, dcf@inet.uni2.dk
Reports from the European Cyclists' Federation are available online at http://www.dcf.dk.
On the eve of the vote on the environmental permit of the Hayward-San Mateo Bridge expansion, the San Francisco Chronicle ran an article extremely critical of bike paths on Bay Area toll bridges. The following response is from CalTrans.
Editor - I would like to clarify any misconception about the state's position on the issue discussed in your May 10 article, "Caltrans Laments High Cost of Bike Lanes on Bridge." The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) strongly supports the use of bicycles as a transportation alternative, particularly in congested urban areas.
In the case of bike lanes on San Francisco Bay Area bridges, the decision to fund such projects rests with the people of the Bay Area through their representatives at the city and county level and the Metropolitan Transportation Commission. The question of bicycle lanes, as in the case of any transportation project, must be decided on its merit. Some of the factors that must be considered include cost, constructability, potential use and effect on the surrounding environment. If the decision is made to proceed, then it is up to the technical experts to design and build the project in a timely and cost-effective manner.
Jose Medina
Director Department of Transportation
Sacramento
Meeting called to order by Chair, Robert Raburn, at 7:35 pm.
Introductions were made.
Membership stands at 781 members.
The proposal to create a Caltrans District 4 Bicycle Coordinator has the following on board: Brentwood, Pittsburg, Lafayette, Alameda County Congestion Management Association, Emeryville, Association of Bay Area Governments, Bay Trail, City of San Mateo.
Michael Jackson, the Contra Costa Bicycle Facilities Coordinator, reported on the Orinda Camino Pablo bicycle projects on which he has been asked to comment. They are to be done using TFCA funds. One of the projects is for downtown bicycle circulation improvement. Construction is slated to begin on June 30th and will include bike lanes along south Camino Pablo from Orinda Way. At the west bound 24 offramp to Camino Pablo, there are to be diamond warning signs "Yield to Bikes". It is uncertain if Caltrans will approve these. North bound Camino Pablo design has problems; for example, making the sidewalk a bike path that will be routed over the current pedestrian bridge which will become one way for bicycles that must be walked. Michael is responding for the county and will cc EBBC. Robert Raburn will review the plans.
Dave Campbell reported on the status of the San Mateo Bridge and the proposed bike lanes. The bridge is to have new approaches built. Bay Conservation and Development approved the construction but not with bike paths. This followed Caltrans' opposition to the lanes despite positive public input. Jason Meggs showed a video of bicycle access on other highway bridges. Dave Campbell led a discussion of what bicyclists can do about the situation. There was a discussion of the state Highways Code, Section 30112 regarding Bicycle Pedestrian Facilities. There was discussion of whether to file a lawsuit against Caltrans with respect to the Highways Code. The code is to be published in RideOn and other attorneys are to be asked for input. Meetings are to be arranged with Caltrans and BCDC. Chris Morfas is to ask the Attorney General's office what is considered to be a "new" bridge. He is also to speak with Jose Medina of Caltrans District 4.
Meeting adjourned at 10:00 pm.
Respectfully submitted, Kathy Tate, Secretary pro tem
Andy Singer