Encinitas Bicycle & Pedestrian Committee has set out to create a safe and fun environment for riders of all ages in their city, by promoting safety and education on a personal and community wide level. Please join us as we get to know the Encinitas Bicycle & Pedestrian Committee aka Bike Walk Encinitas with group member Travis Newhouse.

 
The Encinitas Bicycle and Pedestrian Committee, less formally known as Bike Walk Encinitas, formed in December 2011 out of the frustration cyclists were feeling within their community around bike safety on Highway 101. It could be argued that Highway 101, a perfect stretch of road connecting some of the finest beach cities in California, was built for cyclists and their two wheeled machines.

The Encinitas Bicycle & Pedestrian Committee, or Bike Walk Encinitas, aim to improve biking and walking and want to help promote both as a safe and fun form of transportation within their community. They do so by working with the city to improve riding conditions and promote safe bike travel practices. One of these ways was the recent installation of “Sharrows” on the 101.

Working with the City of Encinitas, the group was able to get new shared lane markings, or “sharrows” painted on the 101. The Encinitas City Council voted unanimously to install the new lane markings, a move which could ‘pave the way’ for many more bike share lanes within our local communities. “…not a lot of people outside the cycling community – including law enforcement – are familiar with shared lane markings (“sharrows”) that have been recently installed on Highway 101,” says Travis Newhouse of the group.

So what are sharrows? What is the difference between a sharrow and a bike lane?

A bike lane is a designated spot on most roads in our city, marked by two solid white line with a bicycle inside the lane and will be positioned to far right of a road. These lanes are bicycle lanes only and motorists can not either park or drive inside these lanes.

Sharrows are painted on streets in neighborhoods and along thoroughfares designated as bicycle routes in San Diego County where a vehicle lane is too narrow for a dedicated bike lane. The universal marking for a sharrow in California is a large bicycle with two arrows, or “chevrons” on top painted onto the lane. This symbol lets motorists know that bicycles may use the full lane, and cars should change lanes to pass – treating the cyclist like any other slow-moving vehicle.. Sharrows are to help cyclists position themselves away from parked cars, gutter debris and to avoid being struck by a swinging car door. Today you can find sharrows in Encinitas, Leucadia and Oceanside in North County as well as the communities of Ocean Beach, Point Loma, Normal Heights and Downtown in San Diego.

The Encinitas Bicycle & Pedestrian Committee continue to work with safety groups and local bike advocacy groups to help share safety lessons taught to cyclists through safety courses with local riders as well as local law enforcement in hopes to improve safety conditions for all riders. Newhouse continues, “…we organized around the sharrows as a measure that we felt could be installed quickly by the city (when they were planning a street resurfacing). We ultimately hope they are an interim measure until bike lanes can be installed (as part of the Leucadia Streetscape project) to make the bicycling experience safer than it is today.”

The Encinitas Bicycle & Pedestrian Committee meets the last Tuesday of each month. Please visit their website and Facebook pages to learn all about their advocacy efforts, as well as see what events are coming in the near future.

Now enjoy our interview with Travis Newhouse of The Encinitas Bicycle & Pedestrian Committee.TBZ!
 

 
In your words, what are the main goals behind Bike Walk Encinitas?

Our goals are to make Encinitas a safer and more enjoyable place for people to walk and bike. We want to see more people use their feet and their bikes to get around town.

How did you get involved with bike safety in the Encinitas area?

I moved to Encinitas because I wanted to live in an area where my kids could walk to school, and we could walk or ride our bikes to the beach, parks, library, shops. I saw a place with potential to be a great city for walking and biking. When I heard the group was forming, I joined so I could contribute to making that a reality. I want to work with the City of Encinitas to improve walking and biking for people of all ages.

When it comes to bikers rights, how would you rate Encinitas compared to the rest of San Diego? What are some of the things you would like to see changed or reformed?

Recently, the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department assigned a new Traffic Sergeant to the City of Encinitas. Although he has some different views than our group, he has been open to working with us to find agreement on how cyclists can use the streets safely and lawfully. We have asked a few League of American Bicyclists Certified Instructors to share best practices with law enforcement, and teach them what cyclists are taught in safety classes.
In particular, not a lot of people outside the cycling community – including law enforcement – are familiar with shared lane markings (“sharrows”) that have been recently installed on Highway 101. The sharrows are a relatively new roadway marking in California, so there are some different interpretations of the law regarding lane position for cyclists and riding side-by-side. Our interpretation of the law, as it applies to Highway 101 in Encinitas, is cyclists may use the full lane. Additionally, we feel riding side-by-side (2 or 3 abreast) is allowed under current law, and in fact, provides for more efficient use of the lane by cyclists and motorist.

If someone wants to become involved in bike safety what are some of the ways they can make a difference? Whether it be with Bike Walk Encinitas, or in any other city?

First, I think people should find a way to ride a bike whenever they can: to work, short errands, for fun. Riding provides first-hand knowledge of what needs to be improved in your neighborhood, and it is visible promotion of cycling for people around you. Studies have shown cycling safety is highest in areas with high number of riders, because motorists learn to expect cyclists on the road. So, hop on your bike!
Then, if you see something you want to improve, talk to the city or the local bike advocacy group. The Encinitas Bicycle & Pedestrian Committee is open to all, and we welcome suggestions.

What are some tips riders should always keep in mind in regards to bike safety?

The San Diego County Bicycle Coalition offers an excellent free course called Urban Bicycling (formerly Traffic Skills 101). I recommend riders take the class to improve their safety on the road.
Some basic tips are to follow the same rules as motorists: stop at stop signs and traffic lights; ride on the right side of the road; use lights at night. Also, position yourself in the center of the lane when there is not a bike lane, and at intersections and driveways (when there is a bike lane). The center of the lane is most visible position to be seen by motorists.

What are some of the current plans being worked on by Bike Walk Encinitas? What can we look for in the future?

On June 9th, we are participating in Encinitas Environment Day. In addition to providing bike parking at the event, this year we are also organizing two bike activities: a bike rodeo for kids to learn bicycle skills, and a fun bike ride for riders of all ages and abilities.
We will continue to advocate for safe cycling on Highway 101, the most traveled route in Encinitas. Unfortunately, there is still some concern that the California Coastal Commission could make the city remove the markings. We are encouraging people to write to the Coastal Commission in support of the safety improvements.
We also want to work with city and county to improve non-motorized access across the railroad tracks. We want to see the completion of a Coastal Rail Trail with frequent crossings that will improve access to businesses, schools, and beaches for many residents. The new undercrossing at Santa Fe Dr is great, but the cost is significantly more than at-grade crossings. We envision more closely spaced at-grade crossings that can be built at a lower cost than the 3 additional undercrossings that are planned.
We are looking at ways to improve east-west travel for cyclists and pedestrians. Currently, crossing Interstate 5 on foot or bike is not as safe as it can be. We see it as a major barrier for residents living east of the I-5.

Please finish this sentence… Biking on San Diego’s coast is…

a beautiful way to go.
 

 
Huge Thank You to Travis Newhouse and The Encinitas Bicycle & Pedestrian Committee. Please check out their website here and follow them on Facebook for up to date information and news. All photos used with permission from The Encinitas Bicycle & Pedestrian Committee.