SAN DIEGO — North Park residents and members of the San Diego Bike Coalition (SDBC) on Tuesday spoke before the North Park Planning Committee to support or oppose a resolution that would create bike lanes along 30th Street.
Currently, there is a pipeline project underway and the City of San Diego is using resurfacing as an opportunity to decide whether or not to put in bike lines along 30th Street from Howard Avenue to Juniper Street.
Some North Park residents and members of the SDBC who spoke before the North Park Planning Committee and asked for the committee's support for a protected bikeway which would physically separate bike commuters from cars.
“For people to start choosing bikes as a way to move around, we have to create safe, designated areas for them to ride. I urge the North Park Planning Committee to vote for the resurfacing option that prioritizes people’s safety and ensures riders of all abilities can feel comfortable biking along 30th street,” said Andy Hanshaw, San Diego Bike Coalition executive director.
However, not everyone at Tuesday's meeting was in favor of the bike lanes proposal.
One North Park resident who opposes the bike lanes said she was concerned about having to park far away and having to walk late at night. North Park residents also expressed their concerns regarding the loss of parking.
The proposals include bike lanes along 30th Street from Howard Avenue to Juniper Street with the following options:
• Segment 1: Howard Ave. to Upas St.
Option A: Cycle Tracks (No Parking). This option offers a Class IV protected bike lane on both sides of the street. This option maintains the center turn lane and removes on-street parking. Loss of 258 parking spaces.
Option B: Cycle Tracks (Floating Parking). This option offers a separated bike lane with ‘floating’ parking spots between the bike lane and travel lanes. This option removes the center turn lane and retains some on-street parking. Loss of 142 parking spaces.
Option C: Buffered Bike Lanes. This option offers a Class II separated, painted bicycle lane on both sides of the street. This option removes the center turn lane and retains most on-street parking. Loss of 111 parking spaces
• Segment 2: Upas St. to Juniper St.
Option A: Cycle Tracks (No Parking). This option offers a Class IV protected bike lane on both sides of the street. This option removes parking on both sides of the street. Loss of 162 parking spaces.
Option B: Bike Lane (uphill) / Shared Lane (downhill). This option offers a downhill shared bike lane and an uphill separated bike lane. This option removes parking on the uphill portion of the street. Loss of 74 parking spaces.
"To remove those spots [parking] will severely impact the residents of North Park," said one resident.
On Tuesday night, a motion was passed by the North Park Planning Committee 7-6 to recommend Option A: Cycle Tracks (No Parking) - the widest bike lane proposal that would be fully protected with the removal of all on-street parking from Howard Avenue to Juniper Street.
It will now go before the San Diego City Council.