Click HERE to download large PDF version.SART runs from the San Bernardino County line to the Pacific Ocean. Click map to view larger.
Since the 1970s, the Santa Ana River Trail, or SART, has been OC’s largest single bicycling amenity– not counting our roads themselves, that is.
Background
Originally just the service road along the Santa Ana River levy, the route was designated for cyclists when Caltrans transformed Santa Ana Canyon Road into a freeway. By posting the 91 against bicycles, Caltrans would have eliminated the historic connection between Orange, Riverside, and San Bernardino Counties. Cyclists protested and streets and Highways Code 888 was enacted to prevent severing established rights of way because of this very event. (Note: Anyone with historic background to share centering around this decision and the SART, please comment.)
Originally, westbound traffic from Hwy 71- called the Pomona Corona Expressway- rode the 91 shoulder to Green River, exited onto that road and entered the SART at the golf course entrance. Eastbound traffic exited at Green River and rode the old Santa Ana Canyon Road to Serfas Club Dr.
The Good and the Bad
From Day 1 bicyclists embraced the river trail’s utility. It quickly became our “bicycle freeway,” an appealing alternative to north/south arterials as far west as Beach Blvd. The surface was generally decent. And underpasses at all the intersections made it superior to even Irvine’s “bike paths,” which frequently cross surface streets at grade. This feature meant no red lights, ever. As a commuter route the SART did more to encourage transportation cycling than any other facility in the county.
Over the years city, county, and Army Corp agencies have all had an impact on SART. At some point segments of the route came under Parks and Recreation jurisdiction. Their ordinance 2-5-43 requires bicycles be operated safe and reasonable speeds, but under no circumstances at speed greater than 10 MPH. That regulation may make sense on meandering park paths where casual recreational riders mix with baby joggers, but it makes no sense on a route traditionally used primarily by bicyclists traveling from Point A to Point B.
A 10 MPH limit completely destroys the transportation utility of the bicycle. It’s an unreasonable imposition in an era when city and county agencies are trying to encourage bicycling as a transportation mode.
OCBC is working with the county’s Regional Recreational Trail Committee, who generally oppose the 10 MPH limit on SART, and consultants involved in trail and park improvements in the Green River project area, to influence OC Parks to revise their ordinance to recognize the needs of bicyclists on the Santa Ana River Trail.
Today I rode the SART the full length. The cyclists are not the problem, it’s your walkers/joggers with their earbuds in, not paying attention who cause your problems. I had one family who was taking up the whole width of the trail tossing a football back and forth. At a reasonable distance I announced behind you with no response. I was forced to go around in the dirt. I did have two bike incidents though. Beach cruisers. Announced behind on your left, again no response. But then they act all surprised when I pass them. Then I have a guy coming towards me, he’s on the proper side and his dogs on a long ass leash on my side. Essentially he’s hogging the whole trail. Nobody understands common courtesy today. And, as I saw all the shiny new OC Parks signs, I had to laugh. I had recently applied to be an OC Park Ranger but withdrew my app for other reasons. I had forgot that I had emailed OC on disgust over the speed limit and times of use especially for bikes. I can say this, if I did get hired, I would never enforce that stupid speed limit on a single cyclist!
Posted by Lisa Marie, January 1, 2011
Concern: Cars are driving on the bike path by Featherly Park. At the far end of the park, someone propped open a gate that leads to the bike trail.
This first time, I was forgiving as it was Christmas Eve at dusk and the driver looked like a worried woman whom I thought made a mistake and drove through the open gate that leads to the bike path. Christmas stress, I thought. Its wide open, that gate. NO SIGNAGE. Yet, it happened again, December 26th around 5PM, this time a pinched face man with a clenched jaw. No wave of apology for taking over my bike lane. His big truck, my tiny bike. This leads me tonight, December 28th, and I’m not so forgiving, one car while heading east bound and two cars while heading west bound took over my bike path. It’s dusk. I stormed into the Featherly Park office at the end of my ride to inquire who I make my complaint, both workers, lackadaisical, I don’t know. Caltrans?
I provided my original complaint to Featherly Park employees this evening December 28th around 5:30PM, and honestly I don’t think they cared. I believe they’d be concerned if they saw a monstrous SUV barreling in their direction ON THE BIKE PATH. I asked who to direct this complaint, as it’s happened now five times, like I said they both said, Caltrans. But, I don’t know if that’s true?
Apparently a road in the park has damage, or bridge, not sure, from the recent rain. Caltrans is doing work there. The only route now for cars is ON THE BIKE TRAIL. However, there are NO SIGNS WARNING bikers. Yet there is a sign a short distance from the gate that reads, “Motor Vehicles and Motor Scooters Prohibited on Trails.” I think on the bottom of the sign it reads, “OCCO. ORD. SEC 2-5-296”
Yet Featherly Park is allowing its paying extended visitors to ride on the trail and failing to provide notification to ANYONE USING THE BIKE PATH.
I ride at a moderate pace and can image if one those bikers in excellent shape with the decked-out gear zooms at lightening speed around that blind corner, not good.
If they had signs warning bikers…something. Instead it’s a shock to see headlights aiming for you.
Update January 1: I sent an email to Caltrans on December 28th. No return email from Caltrans or phone call. Rode on the trail today and the gate is still open and there’s no signage to warn bikers of cars maneuvering on this tiny bike path with a few blind corners.
I speculate Featherly Park is telling its extended RV residents to use the bike trail after dark when the trail is least in use. Because each time I’ve met one of those big stray trucks on the bike trail, it’s dusk.
I don’t know who to direct this concern as I’ve already notified Featherly Park and Caltrans. Hopefully, a reader of this site will have more power than I to shake things up and get proper care.
Thanks,
Lisa Marie
I am retired, ride the SART 2 to 5 times a week, from Imperial to Huntington Beach pier and back, for 30+ years, average about 15 mph. Start at first light, see few other users down, more on way home. I have had <5 incidents on trail, none have been speed related. All have been caused by sudden moves by people acting like sqirrels. Once at walking pace, threading through a large group of joggers, filling the trail, edge to edge, one jogger/walkman switched sides, taking my front wheel from under me. Me, dislocated finger, damaged clothing, him, no effect at all.
Large coaching signs requiring turn signals, looking behind before turning, lane discipline, courtesy, awareness (as on the Washington and Old Dominion Trail in Virginia) might have a positive impact.