Police, bike advocates work to make roads safer
By Kathryn Reed
Most fatalities involving a vehicle in South Lake Tahoe are the result of a bicyclist or pedestrian being hit, not cars crashing into each other.
The police department is in the preliminary stages of building a campaign to make people more aware of others who are on the road. The Lake Tahoe Bicycle Coalition wants to be part of that message.
At a meeting in late June police Sgts. Shannon Laney and Shannon Norrgard spoke to a group of residents – mostly cycling advocates – about options, funding and solutions.
In the city limits in 2012 there were three deaths, one in 2013 and three in 2014 involving a vehicle hitting either a cyclist or pedestrian.
The No. 1 factor in the deaths is drivers under the influence, then failing to yield, and third is pedestrians not in a sidewalk, according to Laney.
Sgt. Shannon Laney listens to ideas about how the public could help with bike safety in South Lake Tahoe. Photo/Kathryn Reed
It was pointed out how there is blame on all sides for accidents and fatalities. No matter the mode of transit – including walking – people are not always following the rules. Bicyclists are under the same laws as motor vehicles.
Laney said it could be difficult to catch up to cyclists who are violating the laws, especially riding on the wrong side of the street. It has to do with traffic and being able to flip a U-turn, and then whether that infraction rises to a level of importance to be worth chasing down.
South Lake Tahoe has an ordinance that makes it illegal to cross Highway 50 outside of a crosswalk. With crosswalks at times being quite a distance, many pedestrians opt to jaywalk. It is up to Caltrans to add crosswalks.
A new law in California says motorists must give cyclists 3 feet of space. Laney said that’s pretty hard to enforce until there has been a collision. That’s when citations get written. He said it would take a sting operation or dedicated personnel to actively enforce that law. Manpower is an issue.
That is where the Bicycle Coalition might be able to play a role. It could work on securing grants that would pay for increased patrols for bike related enforcement as well as education material.
Education, all sides agreed, is one component that has been missing. This would be for cyclists and drivers.
Norrgard mentioned how it would be great to blast a message about the 3-foot law so more people would know about it. Eventually it would be engrained in people’s heads and then behavior would change without having to think about it. It might be similar to when 10 years ago the “click it or ticket” campaign was foreign, but now most people know it is about buckling up.
Cycling activist Curtis Fong said handing out literature at key intersections could be the first step to start educating people about the rules of the road – whether one is on two wheels or behind a wheel.
Both sides agreed to work more closely with one another.
I find it interesting that the perspective of the police is that bicycles are difficult to catch. Which is why they don’t ticket them. Well, I certainly smell BS in that statement. The police are lazy when it comes to enforcing laws that aren’t SWAT team stuff. I just witnessed yet another example: the five or six brightly-dressed bicycle riders who rode proudly through the construction at the Y (right through the sign that said “bike trail closed”. So nice to see “cooperation”.
Does the new law make any allowances for bikes that refuse to use a bike trail adjacent to the roadway? I know that I would be extremely frustrated if I got a ticket for not giving a bike 3 feet of room when they are on a road next to a bike trail. I would get a ticket if I drove on the bike trail in a car, why do bicycles have the options?
Some bicyclists apparently don’t use the bicycle / pedestrian pathway as they ride at a relatively high rate of speed. I’m guessing some ride at around 20 mph.
“Bike Lane Closed” does not mean that bikes are not allowed on the roadway. Bikes are allowed on most of the roads whether they have a dedicated lane or not. It just means that Dumbfounded has to share the road for a couple of blocks.
The police should use their loud speaker or a blast from their siren to catch the attention of the riders traveling against traffic.
Traffic is bad enough up here without theses ego maniacs making it worse.
If they want the rights of a pedestrian they should walk their bikes in the cross walks.
Maybe if the police wrote them a ticket for covering their license plate with their bike racks the officer could hand out flyers reminding them of the other laws.
Nothing more infuriating than self entitled idiots on 2 wheels. Coming back from Carson yesterday and 2 spandex clad bayliens are riding side by side IN THE ROAD over the pass.
Then when I honk they flip me off. Typical behavior for these weirdos. Zero sympathy for reckless bikers who think they own the road and obey zero traffic laws.
Two problems with the new bicycle law: it doesn’t allow car drivers to cross a double yellow line, albeit yielding to oncoming traffic, in order to give more space to the bicyclist. And, as the Sergeant points out, it’s unenforceable outside of a traffic collision at which point the very fact of the collision will be proof that the car driver failed to grant 3 feet to the bicyclist.
The law still doesn’t address my problem of being stuck behind a 3 mile per hour bicyclist uphill bound on Big Oak Flat road, finally passing him safely over the double yellow only to have him swerve suicidally to try to prevent my pass, then give me a double handed (look ma, no hands) flip off when I complete it. Some bicyclists need to learn to sedate themselves before they straddle the saddle.
Sad that there isn’t more common sense being used on “both sides” of this issue. I am both a driver and a cyclist. I see thoughtless and reckless behavior from both camps. Cyclists, you cannot enjoy the rights of the road without the responsibilities. For your own safety, please obey the laws. Wear a helmet, ride with traffic, and stop at stop signs and lights. Ride single file. Ride as closely to the edge of the road as it is safe to do so. Don’t be a jerk. Drivers, remember cyclists have the same rights to the road as you do. Pay attention when you drive. Yield space to cyclists when needed. Watch for cyclists when you make a turn and when you open the door to your parked car. Honk at cyclists only when necessary for safety reasons. Otherwise, your honking and yelling is simply an act of needless aggression. Do not swerve to try to scare a cyclist or throw objects at them. This is simply childish and dangerous behavior. Slow down. Take a breath. Don’t be a jerk. As for the previous comment about cyclists having to use the bike path instead of the road, this is not always practical. The bike path that runs past Camp Richardson and the row of beaches is great much of the time but, in summer, it is downright dangerous for cyclists. It becomes full of people walking in groups with beach paraphernalia, skateboarders, roller bladers, and small children on bikes riding on the wrong side of the path and swerving in front of cyclists. When I cycle I avail myself of our great bike paths as much as possible and am thrilled to see their expansion in our community.
Now, let’s all enjoy the busy Tahoe Summer, show courtesy to each other, and be safe out there!
Good points Janice. I also ride and drive. I also agree with Perry and Kurt for most bike paths in the area are poorly designed for bikes and make better sidewalks. They wind around trees, sharp corners, poorly maintained with sand, gravel, pine needles and decaying pavement. Not to mention hoards of non-cyclists. Try riding them, especially the ones on the west and north shores.
Also to remind those who may read this and have the attitude that automobiles own the road and the inability to share should read a little history. It is interesting to say the least. Check out this link
http://www.roadswerenotbuiltforcars.com/the-petition-that-paved-america/
Hey Stashe. Stick with yelling at people from your front porch, you don’t own the roads.
I doubt it’s the first time Mr. Mustache has been flipped off for being rude.
That being said, Kamikaze bicyclists ARE an issue in this town.
That’s where you’re wrong rock I DO own the roads. And I’ll run over any cyclists in my way. Beep beep. Roads are for cars. All others bow down to my hummer!
Hmmmmm. I have something for you. Come and get it. :)
I hope that the law enforcement folks are reading that last comment by Mr. mustache, seems to me he would now be liable for murder instead of manslaughter.
The city needs to step-up to the plate if they want to be bicycle friendly.
How about a cross walk at Keys Blvd. and Eloise you know where the bike trail crosses?
Also add a sign that says WALK YOUR BIKES!!!
Really? Apparentley there is something more infuriating than self entitled idiots on 2 wheels. You appear to be threatening me, MISTER Mustache. I believe you are becoming unhinged.
Kae-can we ban this schmok?
Time to return to the topic.
LTN staff