Bike Lanes in Santa Barbara

Due to the high advocacy for bike lanes and high funds being pumped into studies, but low progress with bicycle mobility and safety in Santa Barbara, I decided to write this web page reflecting some neglected info.

I commend trafficsolutions (see link below) on an effort to publicize alternatives for driving to work, but unfortunately, most are not practical for most commuters.

I used to bike 25+ miles per day when I used to race 25 years ago. However the bike lanes around the county do not reflect the promises and amount of money that has been spent. The bicycle advocates should be questioning their government, and not advocating increased congestion.

Daily I see dozens of bicyclists on this road adjacent to Highway 101. However I would be wary to pass this bridge on a bike, especially during the morning commute when cars are speeding to avoid the 101. Not once have I seen a bike on the fancy bridge.

Public agencies with questionable public support continuing to take control of huge sums of money for obscure projects, such as Move101.org’s “Add commuter rail.”

Some organizations proclaiming to be grassroots, have shown themselves to be special interest groups that don’t seem to use logical and pragmatic thought when they promote certain issues while vehemently opposing others.

One organization, http://www.bikeplan.com/bridgeq.htm is claiming to plan to sue Caltrans for not having a bike lane on the +5 mile long Richmond-San Rafael Bridge. The R-SR Bridge has railings which are rated too low for pedestrians and bicyclists. Recently Caltrans was sued for a bicyclist who flew over a railing. Apparently Caltrans will get sued either way, but safety should remain the main concern.

Paul Svacina, P.E.
Board Member of Fix101.org
http://www.svacina.com/structures/construction.html

Think how many cars the shuttles take off the roadways. - Dick Weinberg, City Council, Carpinteria (MTD Newsletter 2001)

The real solution is not reducing traffic to fit capacity. We must expand capacity to handle the growing traffic. - DOT Secretary Norman Mineta, Feb. 28, 2006.

I will harm you the most when I leave you in the hands of academics. - Gengis Khan.

If something appears not to be working, the answer cannot be to make it more punitive. - John Martin, SB Builder

The tax which will be paid for the purpose of education is not more than the thousandth part of what will be paid to kings, priests and nobles who will rise up among us if we leave the people in ignorance. - Thomas Jefferson, third US president, architect and author (1743-1826)

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