San Onofre State Park- November 201- Following a ride through the park just as the paint was going down, OCBC contacted park and Edison officials to point out that the right turn only lane to Surf Beach had been newly striped to the left of the bike lane, contrary to current standards. The response was quick and delightful: a long sought reduction in the number of travel lanes southbound over the original US 101 railroad bridge, and a wide buffered bike lane now to the left of the turn lane, which greatly reduces the chance of “right hook” collisions with cars.
San Onofre State Park is not only one of the most unspoiled rides through Southern California, it’s one of the most bike friendly as well!
August 28, 2010 – Immediately south of San Clemente, “San O’” provides us with a mostly car-free cycling route parallel to the I-5. Built along historic US Hwy. 101, the park offers campers and day use visitors the chance to enjoy natural beaches and bluff top habitat, preserving California the way nature made her.
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- “Sharrows,” sharing arrows remind motorists that cyclists must use the right hand lane when bike lanes end. This installation is at one of the historic 4-lane bridges on Old Hwy. 101.
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- Southbound bike lane ends at the old bridges, like always. But Edison and State Parks get the award for Most Creative Use of Sharrows. That symbol tell motorists bicycles will be occupying the right hand lane.
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- Bike lane is now striped left of the right turn lane, way less confusing than before.
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- Seen from the “jug handle turn” northbound, a new painted refuge offers some protection for cyclists who previously had to dash across 4 lanes of traffic to continue north to Trestles.
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- It’s only paint. But the yellow line moves northbound vehicles 3 feet from the old guardrail- assuming drivers are paying attention. It’s now possible for a couple of riders to hang in this small safety zone while waiting for a break in southbound traffic.
You enter San Onofre State Park the instant you turn off Christanitos and head down the trail to Trestles. South of Basilone Rd. the old 4 lane highway is posted 45 MPH, and serves Edison’s nuclear power plant with thousands of employees working three shifts daily. South of the plant the park’s 15 MPH limit calms traffic somewhat. Rangers ask that cyclists respect other park users and watch for vehicles and pedestrians on the road, all of whom are in a relaxed and less observant state of mind.
Cyclists are one of the largest year ‘round park users, yet we pay no entry fees. Peloton riders must keep their speed in check lest the rangers make good on their threat to place Stop signs at every restroom.
Southern California Edison pays to maintain the highway and bike lanes from Basilone Rd. to the campground. OCBC and San Clemente bicycle advocates have worked with park Superintendent Richard Haydon, the San Onofre Foundation, and Edison to improve signs and highway striping for bicyclists. We congratulate Edison on their bold use of sharrows at the old bridges, reminding motorists that bicyclists must use the right hand lane whenever the bike lane ends. With dwindling state funds for park maintenance, Edison’s commitment to San Onofre is much appreciated.
If you reside in a northern OC city, would you like to help us encourage staff and elected officials there to adopt sharrows?
I like the concept of “sharrows”
These would be useful on some of the narrower roads in North Orange County where the bike lanes network is less continuous than in South County.