Listen to the podcast on cdmCyclist.com, and stop riding like a 6-year old.
Roadies, cruisers, small wheels, and 'bents. This class has something for every cyclists-- guaranteed.
April 21, 23 – Orange- This popular classroom session will be offered at the Orange County Transportation Authority offices on Main St., with the on-road portion Saturday morning.
“I’ve been riding for 12 years and I couldn’t believe how valuable this class turned out to be.” Because of comments like that we offer it with a money back guarantee.
Orange County’s most renown bicycle tourist, Rob Templin, inspires people to expand their horizons. We invite you be inspired, 6:PM, Thursday, Aug. 26, as Rob shares how anyone, young or old, can roll into their own personal adventure.
Maui tradewinds
Dazzling views, the sounds and smells of nature surround you as your bike rounds bend after bend along a country road. But choosing the right road, selecting the perfect daily destination is key to a memorable tour.
Planning your own trip or joining one of Rob’s Second Summer groups, we’ll share the delights which only travel by bicycle can reveal. Along the way he’ll share insights into the bicycle cultures of the countries he visits, where bicycles are a more accepted mode of travel.
The evening is FREE, but seating is limited, so please RSVP, 949 492 5737, or e-mail us.
http://tinyurl.com/sart2010 Video of problems on this vital bicycle transportation link: a car show staged on a weekend with pedestrians– and cars– blocking the trail. Bollards, limited openings of the route which by law must be available 24/7.
You can take direct action to resolve hazardous conditions.
- CALTRANS, Orange County -
Orange County Caltrans office, officially District 12, want to hear from you about problems on State Highways, which includes freeway and tollway on and off ramp interchanges, Hwy 1/ Pacific Coast Highway, Hwy 91, Hwy 39, Hwy 90 (Imperial Hwy), Hwy 142 (Carbon Cyn), and Hwy 74 (Ortega Hwy).
We’re compiling a list and will prioritize based on number of complaints.
- HUNTINGTON BEACH Pothole Repair-
for city street or parking pavement repair, usually within one week,
call: 714 960 8861
- CALTRANS Road Repair -
for PCH (Hwy 1), Beach Blvd. (Hwy 39) or other State highways
Leave us a Comment, below. Please copy the list below, and paste into the template:
——————-copy from here————————————–
Please tell us:
1.) city
2.) street and/or intersection.
3.) time of day, day of the week, and date.
And tell us:
3.) which way you were traveling
4.) what happened– describe the incident or road condition
5.) names of other drivers involved, description of their vehicles
6.) any injuries
And don’t forget:
7.) the names of officials whom you contacted and the agency/department they work for
8.) IMPORTANT: what they told you then, or later, in response.
Another problem area; aka accident waiting to happen, is the Calle Sacramento and Calle Las Bolas area in San Clemente. Cyclists riding Calle Sacramento towards Calle Las Bolas are very suseptible to being hit by oncoming cars when drivers decide to proceed left onto Calle Las Bolas, thus crossing directly in front of approaching cyclists. The slight dog-leg built into Calle Las Bolas, which crosses Calle Sacramento; along with numerous cars parked on the street, creates a total blind spot for drivers. There are no yield signs, no beware of cyclists signs, no right of way signs, no slow signs etc. posted to make drivers aware that a dangerous condition is crated by steering left through the dog-leg on Calle Las Bolas, proceeding across Calle Sacramento. And, for some reason, most drivers proceeding through that area at high rates of speed, thus increasing the danger to cyclists.
Hmmm, after a bit of a disappointing response to my last posting regarding a dangerous road condition, I have decided to post another. The Northbound 5 freeway offramp exiting onto Avery is incredibly, poorly designed. As you exit and arrive at the stop sign; in preparation to make a right turn on Avery, you are completely blind to the traffic traveling East bound on Avery. There is a sidewalk with metal railings that complete obstruct the view of traffic and therefore force you to have to pull out to a dangerous point, way past the painted crosswalk lines, in hopes of being able to see the approaching traffic. Whoever designed this, and whoever passed it should be fired.
Thanks for your comments re the Camino Cap/Serra intersection.
Yes, you need to check northbound traffic approaching from behind, signal if it’s clear, and merge early into the through lane. The sooner you are positioned OUT of the right turn only lanes, the better because through car traffic is usually light or non-existent past Serra. You will basically “own” that through lane. And the signal there will detect your bike if you stop with the ‘tires on the wires’ of the detection loop.
A dangerous conditions exists for bicyclists in San Juan Capistrano at the Camino Capistrano and Junípero Serra intersection. It is especially dangerous late in the day, during the week, when drivers are heading to the Junípero Serra freeway on-ramp and students are also heading to Saddleback College. As Camino Capistrano approaches Junípero Serra, there are two right hand turn lanes. If you are riding next to the curb approaching this intersection, you are forced into a dangerous situation by having to move away from the curb through the two right hand turn lanes in an attempt to move into the through traffic lane. This is made extremely difficult because as a cyclist reaches this point the road is bending to the right, obscuring vehicles approaching from behind, and at a point when one lane merges into three lanes. If you are able to move through the constant stream of traffic, you are then placed into a through traffic lane that is more narrow than the required, legal width, which places you dangerously close to cars on either side of you.
Ville, good question!
The city of San Juan Capistrano and Caltrans have plans to extend the existing San Juan Creek path from where it ends at Ave. Siega (just west of Antonio) to Caspers Park. But it will be a long time coming; it’s tied up with development of Rancho Mission Viejo.
In the meantime cyclists have no choice but to ride Ortega Hwy along a section which Caltrans “improved” with centerline rumble strips. Those reduce the chance of head-on collisions for motorists but have the effect of pushing cars to the right, closer to the non-existent shoulder.
We have asked Dist. 12 to replace/restore the shoulder that was historically there, before they let it deteriorate and be reclaimed by roadside vegitation.
It’s really stupid that the route between our most historic site– the Mission– and one of our most visited natural parks, is inaccessible by families.
Please join us in writing to: Ryan Chamberlain, Deputy Dir., Dist 12, ryan_chamberlain@dot.ca.gov; Romeo Estrella, Bicycle Coordinator, romeo_estrella@dot.ca.gov.
To: Please forward to caltrans district 12 representative.
I have a question regarding Hwy 74 (Ortega Hwy), from Antonio Parkway to Caspers park. This is a very popular destination for OC families and currently shoulder for bicycling and pedestrians is very dangerous and road is too congested with motor vehicles.
It’s only a 3mile stretch to Caspers from Antonio Parkway(road is fine until then).
Are there plans to widen the shoulder, add sidewalk or add multi use path next to the highway as far as caspers park?
I recognize going up from caspers problem is more difficult due to narrow steep climbing road, but up until Caspers it seems rather simple to widen the shoulder.
Let me know what the plans are or who I need to contact to move this issue forward.
Dana, thanks for your post.
OC is sending inspectors out today specifically to look at the condition of the SART.
We have several issues in Featherly and the heavy rains have provided convenient cover for the rangers there.
We’re talking with county officials about expediting solutions. Army Corps is releasing water from Prado Dam, often causing flood water and material to deposit on the roads through Featherly, and OC Parks knows of the problem. OC Flood Control still has responsibility for sections of this trail as well. You can help by talking directly to: Jeff Madler, Trails & Open Spaces (OC Parks), 714 973 6829.
Inquirying about the sand/mudd on the SART just east of Featherly Park. When I confronted a Caltran worker, he stated it wasn’t his area and he would advise someone (between the last cross over bridge at the end of the SART by the golf course and Featherly park).
There are 2 places where the trail is confronted with large quantities of loose sand that is piled up 5-7 inches high. We first noticed these conditions right around Christmas time, and then New Years eve… We did not blame anyone for not resolving this matter because of the constant rain. However, its been a few weeks and the sand is still there! Dana
Your desire to have him ride to school is admirable. First, the bad news.
The League of American Bicyclists also has a general guideline that kids under 4th grade– about 10 years old– not be encouraged to bicycle without adult supervision. No reflection on your son, but young’uns have some physical characteristics that make it harder for them to ride as safely as adults. For instance:
1.) they’re shorter and ride smaller bikes, so they disappear behind parked cars more readily
2.) they often accelerate faster, from 0 mph to 10 mph, than adults, so combined with their size they have a greater ability to “come out of nowhere”
3.) their peripheral vision is not fully developed; they actually don’t see cars approaching from the sides of their vision field as soon as adults
4.) even if they understand the Rules of the Road, they often just forget
5.) and again, no reflection on your son– they lack good judgment; they trust adults to look after them and, sadly, we don’t always.
Also, teaching kids to ride on the sidewalk is problematic: most bicycle accidents happen at intersections and when you ride on the sidewalk, every driveway becomes an intersection. His chances of being hit by a car go UP on the sidewalk.
Now the good news:
All across America parents are dealing with this reality with Safe Routes to School programs.
You shouldn’t have to go it alone. Seek the support of other parents at your school. Start a Safe Routes to School campaign and create “walking school buses” and “bicycle trains.” Parents can takes turns showing kids that daily exercise not only gets them to school but keeps them, and the planet, healthy. You can reduce the crush of cars caused by parents cuing up to drop Junior off at school– a 21st Century phenomenon that increases traffic, pedestrian danger, and air pollution around our schools.
Let us know how it goes, OK?
1.) Orange
2.) Walnut/Tustin to Walnut/Cambridge
3.) 7:30 AM, daily
And tell us:
3.) westbound & on the sidewalk
4.) I rode w/ my son to school, gave him a note that he would be riding to school until further notice and that I accept full responsibility. The principal told he their policy is not to allow kids below 4th grade to ride their bikes to school (some arbitrary safety rule that I was unable to find). I checked the policy handbook and found no such policy. I ride with him both before and he gets picked up by the YMCA after school (so he’s not riding by himself, ever).
5.) n/a
6.) n/a
And don’t forget:
7.) Karen Murkow: Principal, Cambridge Elementary, Orange Unified School District
8.) IMPORTANT: She said that she would locate the policy for me and that I can do what I want while he is in my care, but he cannot lock his bike on campus if I insist on him riding to school.
Another problem area; aka accident waiting to happen, is the Calle Sacramento and Calle Las Bolas area in San Clemente. Cyclists riding Calle Sacramento towards Calle Las Bolas are very suseptible to being hit by oncoming cars when drivers decide to proceed left onto Calle Las Bolas, thus crossing directly in front of approaching cyclists. The slight dog-leg built into Calle Las Bolas, which crosses Calle Sacramento; along with numerous cars parked on the street, creates a total blind spot for drivers. There are no yield signs, no beware of cyclists signs, no right of way signs, no slow signs etc. posted to make drivers aware that a dangerous condition is crated by steering left through the dog-leg on Calle Las Bolas, proceeding across Calle Sacramento. And, for some reason, most drivers proceeding through that area at high rates of speed, thus increasing the danger to cyclists.
Hmmm, after a bit of a disappointing response to my last posting regarding a dangerous road condition, I have decided to post another. The Northbound 5 freeway offramp exiting onto Avery is incredibly, poorly designed. As you exit and arrive at the stop sign; in preparation to make a right turn on Avery, you are completely blind to the traffic traveling East bound on Avery. There is a sidewalk with metal railings that complete obstruct the view of traffic and therefore force you to have to pull out to a dangerous point, way past the painted crosswalk lines, in hopes of being able to see the approaching traffic. Whoever designed this, and whoever passed it should be fired.
Thanks for your comments re the Camino Cap/Serra intersection.
Yes, you need to check northbound traffic approaching from behind, signal if it’s clear, and merge early into the through lane. The sooner you are positioned OUT of the right turn only lanes, the better because through car traffic is usually light or non-existent past Serra. You will basically “own” that through lane. And the signal there will detect your bike if you stop with the ‘tires on the wires’ of the detection loop.
A dangerous conditions exists for bicyclists in San Juan Capistrano at the Camino Capistrano and Junípero Serra intersection. It is especially dangerous late in the day, during the week, when drivers are heading to the Junípero Serra freeway on-ramp and students are also heading to Saddleback College. As Camino Capistrano approaches Junípero Serra, there are two right hand turn lanes. If you are riding next to the curb approaching this intersection, you are forced into a dangerous situation by having to move away from the curb through the two right hand turn lanes in an attempt to move into the through traffic lane. This is made extremely difficult because as a cyclist reaches this point the road is bending to the right, obscuring vehicles approaching from behind, and at a point when one lane merges into three lanes. If you are able to move through the constant stream of traffic, you are then placed into a through traffic lane that is more narrow than the required, legal width, which places you dangerously close to cars on either side of you.
Ville, good question!
The city of San Juan Capistrano and Caltrans have plans to extend the existing San Juan Creek path from where it ends at Ave. Siega (just west of Antonio) to Caspers Park. But it will be a long time coming; it’s tied up with development of Rancho Mission Viejo.
In the meantime cyclists have no choice but to ride Ortega Hwy along a section which Caltrans “improved” with centerline rumble strips. Those reduce the chance of head-on collisions for motorists but have the effect of pushing cars to the right, closer to the non-existent shoulder.
We have asked Dist. 12 to replace/restore the shoulder that was historically there, before they let it deteriorate and be reclaimed by roadside vegitation.
It’s really stupid that the route between our most historic site– the Mission– and one of our most visited natural parks, is inaccessible by families.
Please join us in writing to: Ryan Chamberlain, Deputy Dir., Dist 12, ryan_chamberlain@dot.ca.gov; Romeo Estrella, Bicycle Coordinator, romeo_estrella@dot.ca.gov.
To: Please forward to caltrans district 12 representative.
I have a question regarding Hwy 74 (Ortega Hwy), from Antonio Parkway to Caspers park. This is a very popular destination for OC families and currently shoulder for bicycling and pedestrians is very dangerous and road is too congested with motor vehicles.
It’s only a 3mile stretch to Caspers from Antonio Parkway(road is fine until then).
Are there plans to widen the shoulder, add sidewalk or add multi use path next to the highway as far as caspers park?
I recognize going up from caspers problem is more difficult due to narrow steep climbing road, but up until Caspers it seems rather simple to widen the shoulder.
Let me know what the plans are or who I need to contact to move this issue forward.
Thank you,
Ville
Dana, thanks for your post.
OC is sending inspectors out today specifically to look at the condition of the SART.
We have several issues in Featherly and the heavy rains have provided convenient cover for the rangers there.
We’re talking with county officials about expediting solutions. Army Corps is releasing water from Prado Dam, often causing flood water and material to deposit on the roads through Featherly, and OC Parks knows of the problem. OC Flood Control still has responsibility for sections of this trail as well.
You can help by talking directly to: Jeff Madler, Trails & Open Spaces (OC Parks), 714 973 6829.
Inquirying about the sand/mudd on the SART just east of Featherly Park. When I confronted a Caltran worker, he stated it wasn’t his area and he would advise someone (between the last cross over bridge at the end of the SART by the golf course and Featherly park).
There are 2 places where the trail is confronted with large quantities of loose sand that is piled up 5-7 inches high. We first noticed these conditions right around Christmas time, and then New Years eve… We did not blame anyone for not resolving this matter because of the constant rain. However, its been a few weeks and the sand is still there! Dana
Your desire to have him ride to school is admirable.
First, the bad news.
The League of American Bicyclists also has a general guideline that kids under 4th grade– about 10 years old– not be encouraged to bicycle without adult supervision. No reflection on your son, but young’uns have some physical characteristics that make it harder for them to ride as safely as adults. For instance:
1.) they’re shorter and ride smaller bikes, so they disappear behind parked cars more readily
2.) they often accelerate faster, from 0 mph to 10 mph, than adults, so combined with their size they have a greater ability to “come out of nowhere”
3.) their peripheral vision is not fully developed; they actually don’t see cars approaching from the sides of their vision field as soon as adults
4.) even if they understand the Rules of the Road, they often just forget
5.) and again, no reflection on your son– they lack good judgment; they trust adults to look after them and, sadly, we don’t always.
Also, teaching kids to ride on the sidewalk is problematic: most bicycle accidents happen at intersections and when you ride on the sidewalk, every driveway becomes an intersection. His chances of being hit by a car go UP on the sidewalk.
Now the good news:
All across America parents are dealing with this reality with Safe Routes to School programs.
You shouldn’t have to go it alone. Seek the support of other parents at your school. Start a Safe Routes to School campaign and create “walking school buses” and “bicycle trains.” Parents can takes turns showing kids that daily exercise not only gets them to school but keeps them, and the planet, healthy. You can reduce the crush of cars caused by parents cuing up to drop Junior off at school– a 21st Century phenomenon that increases traffic, pedestrian danger, and air pollution around our schools.
Let us know how it goes, OK?
1.) Orange
2.) Walnut/Tustin to Walnut/Cambridge
3.) 7:30 AM, daily
And tell us:
3.) westbound & on the sidewalk
4.) I rode w/ my son to school, gave him a note that he would be riding to school until further notice and that I accept full responsibility. The principal told he their policy is not to allow kids below 4th grade to ride their bikes to school (some arbitrary safety rule that I was unable to find). I checked the policy handbook and found no such policy. I ride with him both before and he gets picked up by the YMCA after school (so he’s not riding by himself, ever).
5.) n/a
6.) n/a
And don’t forget:
7.) Karen Murkow: Principal, Cambridge Elementary, Orange Unified School District
8.) IMPORTANT: She said that she would locate the policy for me and that I can do what I want while he is in my care, but he cannot lock his bike on campus if I insist on him riding to school.