Letters

Additional steps needed for ‘most bike-friendly city’

Take University Avenue down to one lane both directions and open up a big bike lane. That would signal serious intent to go green. This is just a Band-Aid. No one wants to ride on University Avenue. It’s risking your life [see “New bike initiatives take to streets,” Vol. 4, Issue 19].

—Moon, via sduptownnews.com

I think the bike corrals are great and a good step in right direction [see “New bike initiatives take to streets,” Vol. 4, Issue 19]. However, it does not address that we still need bike lanes and safe lanes to bike in. Who wants to ride up and down University Avenue?

—M. Howard, via sduptownnews.com

Now, if our City’s leaders would only implement a Bike Share system in San Diego, like they have in Washington, D.C. (Capitol Bike Share), that would truly make San Diego be at the top of the most bike-friendly cities [see “New bike initiatives take to streets,” Vol. 4, Issue 19]. Residents and tourists alike would benefit from such a system. Just think what it could do for increasing ridership on the Trolley? People would actually have a way to easily get to their final destination by completing their commute or trip from the limited service area Trolley by utilizing the Bike Share System.

—Michael Republicano, via sduptownnews.com

It’s an awesome idea [see “New bike initiatives take to streets,” Vol. 4, Issue 19], but if you are trying to promote “bike local, SHOP local,” why was it built by a Minneapolis company instead of a local one?

—Jorge M. via sduptownnews.com

Care in keeping South Park local

As a proud South Park resident, I love this [see “Marketing South Park,” Vol. 4, Issue 19].  Every Walkabout, I say, “look at my little neighborhood!” like a proud parent. Every time I drive back from North Park, I think, “look at my little neighborhood!”

The one concern I have out of all of this is any focus on bringing in tourists. I hope this is done with great care, as one of the things that makes South Park feel like an enclave is that it is exclusively filled with locals. So if we attract the kind of visitors that enjoy getting to know neighborhoods, good food, good beer, quiet good times, and not the kind that go to Sea World, then I’m all for it. That aside, holy cow this is awesome. Look at our little neighborhood!

—Lee, via sduptownnews.com

Editorial

Are we really ready to be ‘America’s most bike-friendly city’?

By Morgan M. Hurley | SDUN Assistant Editor

In the last four months, three bike corrals have been installed in Uptown locations; Fifth & University avenues, Mississippi Street near El Cajon Boulevard and, on Sept. 5, the largest corral yet was installed at the corner of North Park Way and 30th Street, in front of The Linkery restaurant.

The same day this latest bike corral was unveiled, the San Diego BID Council announced that seven area business districts were being given a bicycle of their own to use as they see fit, not only to allow them easier travel within their district to conduct business, but also to help encourage more bicycle riding.

By the end of the year, 10 more districts will be added to the program.

On the heels of these latest initiatives comes “bike sharing” – a program District Three Councilmember Todd Gloria recently saw in Washington, D.C. while there as part of a San Diego contingent advocating for the Balboa Park centennial.

No sooner was the councilmember back in his office, he and Mayor Jerry Sanders were hosting a “bike sharing demonstration” at Petco Park, on Sept. 17.

Is San Diego ready for an influx of bicycle commuters – or more importantly – are large numbers of bicycle commuters ready for San Diego?

After four months of strictly public transportation as an inner-city commuter, I decided to get my trusty 17-year-old Trek out of storage and incorporate it into my commute, which takes me from South Park, up through North Park and over to Hillcrest, daily. Despite some of the harrowing moments I’ve experienced, I am enjoying it; but believe me, I have a lot of feedback when it comes to addressing the point at which my rubber hits the road.

I attended – on my own bicycle – that North Park press conference on Sept. 5th, and despite North Park and Hillcrest stepping up with these new initiatives, I can attest their streets have a ways to go.

The route along University Avenue between 30th Street and Park Boulevard is one of the most dangerous stretches of city streets for a bicyclist in the county. Likewise, Robinson Avenue from 10th to Fourth avenues, which includes the Robinson bridge, is a span that is pedestrian-friendly but far from biker-friendly.

The edge pavement on Robinson Avenue between Sixth and Fifth avenues in Hillcrest is extremely dangerous; you either ride in the gutter or encroach on the limited space allotted for a vehicle.

My issues or concerns are not isolated. That is obvious when reading the comments printed here. Plain and simple, readers are concerned about bike safety. Even the comments on Councilmember Gloria’s Facebook page, with regards to the bike sharing idea and demonstration, were predominately concerned with bike safety.

One follower even referenced a 2011 article on shareable.net: “Top 10 things every mayor should know before starting a bike sharing program.” The specific item the poster referenced was #1, “Be a bike-friendly community first.”

Again, safety, safety, safety. For bike riders as well as motorists.

When I first added my bike to my commute, a good friend – who used to ride from Hillcrest to SDSU daily – told me to “avoid University Ave between 30th and Park Boulevard at all costs.” For the most part, I’ve taken his sage advice with a couple exceptions. I can see why he holds this belief.

Another biking friend of mine just told me yesterday she was sideswiped by a MTS bus on that same strip of road. A coworker just recently saw a bicyclist hit by a car at the corner of Robinson and Fifth avenues.

Some say bike riders need to take a DMV-like test to become bicycle commuters. I’m not sure I agree, although I do think we should have to register bikes and attend a class.

But much more importantly, the roads in our region need to become bike-friendly.  We need wider streets, bike lanes, bike routes, resurfacing of busy streets and more.

Correction

In the Dr. Ink column “Meal in a Glass” from the Sept. 12 issue (Vol. 4, Issue 19), we incorrectly stated Nunu’s Cocktails Tuesday drink specials. The correct Tuesday drink specials at Nunu’s, located at 3537 Fifth Ave. in Hillcrest, include $1 off top-shelf drinks as well as dollar-off discounts on domestic and imported beers. We sincerely apologize for the mistake.