Q: I grew to become a bike owner as an grownup over 20 years in the past. I've been hit by automobiles on two events and have skilled a variety of close to misses.
I discover that the inexperienced paint helps make drivers conscious that cyclists do belong on the roadway. Sooner or later, inexperienced paint use ought to be expanded to point out drivers the place it might be protected to go cyclists.
Bob Montague, Aptos
A: Many bicyclists agree. Enhancements such because the inexperienced bike lanes have contributed to California being ranked because the fourth most bicycle-friendly state, in keeping with the 2022 League of American Bicyclists report.
The report praises California for “…vital advances in bicycle coverage in recent times, however extra is required.” The governor could allocate $2 billion statewide for bicycle upgrades.
The fourth greatest rating surprises me as a result of bicycle and pedestrian deaths are on the rise in California.
The report discovered that 1.5% of staff in San Jose commute by bicycle. A lot of this may be credited to heat climate, precipitation on solely 59 days a 12 months, and comparatively wholesome air, with solely 6 days per 12 months categorized as having unhealthy or worse air high quality.
In California’s high 15 cities, 0.99% of staff commute by bicycle, whereas 0.5% of staff nationwide commute by bicycle.
Q: The “Bicycles should exit” indicators often seen on Bay Space freeways increase the query: The place are bicycles even allowed to enter?
Ralph Durham
A: There are seven stretches of Bay Space freeways the place bicyclists can experience on the shoulder as a result of there isn't a appropriate alternate route. None of those stretches is greater than two miles lengthy. They embody:
- Each instructions of Freeway 37 (Sears Level Street) over the Napa River in Vallejo.
- A brief stretch of eastbound Interstate 580 on the method to the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge.
- East of Caldecott Tunnel, each instructions of Freeway 24 between the tunnel and Orinda.
- Each instructions of Freeway 4 between Port Chicago Freeway and Willow Move Street.
- Two brief stretches of Interstate 280 above Millbrae.
- The interchange of Interstate 680 and Freeway 84, close to Sunol.
- Northbound Freeway 17 from South Santa Cruz Avenue to Los Gatos-Saratoga Street.
Q: Caltrans did it once more.
Final week we had been caught in a large site visitors jam on Freeway 17 on account of street work. We sat in site visitors for 40 minutes, losing very costly gasoline and inflicting quite a lot of air pollution. Los Gatos was gridlocked. This whole mess may have been simply prevented by just a little frequent sense and planning. Closure of site visitors lanes on main routes ought to be accomplished at night time, except it’s for emergency repairs,
Gary Lofgren, San Jose
A: Nighttime work is all the time iffy. Amongst different causes, temperatures can drop low sufficient that asphalt has issues sticking.
Search for Gary Richards at Fb.com/mr.roadshow, or contact him at mrroadshow@bayareanewsgroup.com.