| Author |
 Topic  |
|
|
mfdemicco
USA
31 Posts |
 Posted - 05/03/2004 : 8:29:14 PM
|
I think this is going to happen. I spoke with Julie Bueren of Contra Costa County Public Works and she said she was convinced they are necessary as there have been a significant number of accidents where drivers go off the road. I made our position known that we are opposed to them. I think we need to oppose this in some form of organized (and even disorganized) manner.
See this article at http://www.contracostatimes.com/mld/cctimes/news/8206268.htm for some background information. I called the information number at the end of the article (Supervisor Greenberg's Office) and she asked Julie to return my call. Bruce Ohlson knows something about this, and I alerted the East Bay Bicycle Coalition. Bruce and I have been communicating by email.
Mike DeMicco <[email protected]> |
|
|
kentmccutcheon
USA
15 Posts |
Posted - 05/03/2004 : 9:09:18 PM
|
94 million?!!! versus 784 thousand. the article was right. these guys get paid way too much for what they do.
kent mccutcheon |
 |
|
|
Hill Slug
USA
87 Posts |
Posted - 05/04/2004 : 10:41:36 AM
|
This was brought up at the meeting on Sunday. Club reps are going to write letters to the appropriate agencies to oppose the rumble strips. The EBBC has done this also.
Thanks for bringing it up though!
~DW~ |
|
|
|
paipai
USA
97 Posts |
Posted - 05/04/2004 : 4:12:09 PM
|
At Sunday's board meeting, there was NO vote taken as to an official Delta Pedaler position. I merely agreed to write a letter to the appropriate reps outlining our concerns. Both Ole/ EBBC and Dave S & Chris States (who works for CalTrans) make pretty compelling arguments for both sides of the coin. Because of winter fog in this area, I think it would be prudent to have the rumble stips ON THE FOG LINE ONLY, as they do in Oregon, but not projecting into the shoulder region where cyclists would be squeezed between a 12-18 inch wide rumble strip on the left and 2-3 feet of trash/debris on the right. Granted, we will probably get stuck with them even though the strips will not stop reckless driving and speeding. So we may as well have the least offensive strips.
Comments??
Thanks,
Joann |
|
|
|
mfdemicco
USA
31 Posts |
Posted - 05/05/2004 : 08:11:21 AM
|
quote:
Originally posted by paipai
At Sunday's board meeting, there was NO vote taken as to an official Delta Pedaler position. I merely agreed to write a letter to the appropriate reps outlining our concerns. Both Ole/ EBBC and Dave S & Chris States (who works for CalTrans) make pretty compelling arguments for both sides of the coin. Because of winter fog in this area, I think it would be prudent to have the rumble stips ON THE FOG LINE ONLY, as they do in Oregon, but not projecting into the shoulder region where cyclists would be squeezed between a 12-18 inch wide rumble strip on the left and 2-3 feet of trash/debris on the right. Granted, we will probably get stuck with them even though the strips will not stop reckless driving and speeding. So we may as well have the least offensive strips.
Comments??
I agree - if there must be a rumble strip, on the fog line only. The bumps should be a couple of feet apart.
Mike DeMicco <[email protected]> |
|
|
|
starstryke
USA
45 Posts |
Posted - 05/05/2004 : 3:18:35 PM
|
Better yet! Well, in addition too the aforementioned, BAN CELLPHONES OR INSTALL SIGNAL JAMMERS ALONG VASCO ROAD!!! =)
illegitimi non carborundum |
|
|
|
lj
44 Posts |
Posted - 05/06/2004 : 10:24:34 PM
|
Put the texas version of dot bots on the median and the white line. They are about 6 inches in diameter and maybe 1.5" high. You won't drive over those more than once.
Or have a sobriety check point and check driver licenses |
|
|
|
mfdemicco
USA
31 Posts |
Posted - 05/10/2004 : 08:10:33 AM
|
How about a letter to the editor of the Contra Costa Times? Have we solicited any help from other cycling clubs (e.g., Valley Spokesmen, Grizzly Peak Cyclists)?
Mike DeMicco <[email protected]> |
|
|
|
mfdemicco
USA
31 Posts |
Posted - 05/10/2004 : 2:59:43 PM
|
I ran across this article on the City of Brentwood website (http://www.ci.brentwood.ca.us/citycouncil/pastagenda/packet_2004/ccap20040413/ccap20040413_C.cfm) which is a Vasco Road Safety Recommendations Summary Report. What's interesting is that in comparison to the statewide collision rate, the total number of collisions on Vasco were only 53% of the average for a similar type of road. There is no mention in the summary of run off the road type accidents being an issue. In my opinion, the accident rate doesn't justify shoulder rumble strips being installed, with the end result being that our safety and ability to cycle on this road is diminished.
Mike DeMicco <[email protected]> |
|
|
|
joanne
1 Posts |
Posted - 07/07/2004 : 2:40:50 PM
|
Hi;
I just came across your site - very nice. My name is Joanne Flynn, co-founder of C.R.A.V.E. (Concerned Residents About Vasco Experiences). I, along with Jeff Altman have been agressive in our efforts to make Vasco safe for everyone to drive and bike. I have to tell you that I am not a huge advocate for the Rumble Strips. I was not at a Task Force meeting when you had representatives there stating they were against the rumble strips. Please let me know what would be the safest improvement for bicyclists on that road. I will do my best to ensure that your bike ride on Vasco is a pleasant and safe one.
Thanks and stay safe.
Joanne |
|
|
|
starstryke
USA
45 Posts |
Posted - 07/07/2004 : 10:54:44 PM
|
How about an attempt allocate some of the money that will be used towards a bicycle path along vasco w/o dips or ditches or anything closely resembling the bike path between Railroad Ave and Somersville, that would be excellent.
illegitimi non carborundum |
|
|
|
mfdemicco
USA
31 Posts |
Posted - 07/09/2004 : 9:28:38 PM
|
Joanne, I was one that attended the Task Force meeting (along with our club president). My impression was/is that it is pretty much of a done deal that they are going to install the rumble strips. About the only thing us cyclists got were assurances that they (i.e., CC Co. Public Works) would follow the CalTrans requirements for installing such rumble strips and might consider not putting them on the downhill sections.
You asked how to improve Vasco Rd. for cyclists, well I think it is pretty much a safe road for cyclists as-is because it has wide shoulders - that is from Walnut Blvd. to the county line. The Alamada side isn't too good and Walnut Blvd. could use wider shoulders. Regular street sweeping of the shoulders would improve safety for cyclists and would become even more important after the rumble strips are put in.
I still remain skeptical about the shoulder rumble strips and hope they don't ruin this road for bicyclists. I still hope they don't get put in.
Mike DeMicco <[email protected]> |
|
|
|
paipai
USA
97 Posts |
Posted - 07/12/2004 : 12:33:42 AM
|
Next meeting of the Vasco Rd Safety Task force is Tuesday, July 20 @ 7 pm at the Arts and Industries Bldg (?) on Sand Creek Rd in Brentwood. All are welcome to attend. Last time it was very entertaining, right Mike?!
jps |
|
|
|
Joanne Flynn
1 Posts |
Posted - 08/03/2004 : 12:29:47 PM
|
Mike,
I hope you are able to attend the next meeting so we can meet personally.
I don't believe in the rumble strips unless they are part of a greater safety improvement plan. What ticks me off is the fact that the county keeps relying on Cal Trans standards when this isn't a Cal Trans road and the minimum it would be one is 10 years if ever.
My goal is to have the safest improvements for all who drive and bike Vasco. It's very frustrating when you have people making critical decisions on a road they have acknowledged they hardly drive, if ever.
Thanks |
|
|
| |
Topic |
|
Rumble Strips on Vasco Road Shoulders
