Steady diet of road diets for South Bay’s streets
Q I’ve never heard the term “road diet” before, but it is very fitting. I would like to nominate Mary Avenue between Fremont Avenue and El Camino Real in Sunnyvale. Right now, it is used by drivers as a bypass to Highway 85; they drive 50- plus mph through residential areas and behind Sunnyvale Middle School. Sunnyvale successfully narrowed Mary south of Fremont. Why didn’t the area north of Fremont get the same treatment?
Scott Johnson Sunnyvale
A It will. Work on narrowing Mary Avenue will take place next year from Fremont Avenue to El Camino Real. After, there will be one lane in each direction with a center turning lane and 6- foot- wide bike lanes.
Q I read with interest that Moorpark Avenue west of Saratoga Avenue in San Jose was scheduled to give up traffic lanes for bike lanes. Having driven this road for over 40 years, I can’t recall if I have ever seen a cyclist on it. Surely there was a study done to ascertain the need for bike lanes, and they didn’t choose this street because it is extra wide. Right?
Jack Cole San Jose
A The city sampled bike use on Moorpark three years ago for two hours at midday and two hours during the afternoon commute. Total bikes for that fourhour period in 2012 was 23, but city officials believe that they could see double or triple that amount after bike lanes are installed. And they believe more kids will ride bikes with schools such as Mitty, De Vargas, Queen of Apostles and Challenger nearby.
This road diet was developed in response to requests to cut down on speeding and reduce crashes on Moorpark.
Q Many people in my neighborhood around Pruneridge Avenue in Santa Clara like the road diet done a few years ago. With a single lane in each direction, Pruneridge is safer and there is less traffic. … Bravo for road diets! … The reconfiguration of Pruneridge from four to two lanes has been a big plus. Carolyn Campbell, Siva Ramiakrisha and Pamela McDaniel
A Will the reaction be the same on Lincoln Avenue in San Jose and Monterey Highway in Morgan Hill, where road diets are being tested? We may soon find out.
Q Is Hedding Street ever going to lose the bike lanes and go back to two lanes in each direction?
Ilene Schwartz
A No. This road diet is permanent.
Q Sunnyvale is randomly painting white lines on Fremont Avenue. Traffic rules say move to the curb to make a right turn. Frankly, I am confused as to the meaning of these lines. What do you think?
George Grant
A The white lines are part of the city’s efforts to improve its bike lanes. Double lines indicate a buffer area between bike lanes to the right and auto lanes to the left.
The lines are dashed at major intersections to signal a merge area. In these cases, motorists should merge right into the bike lane after yielding to cyclists and other traffic already in the lane. Then turn from the curb rather than across the bike lane.
The lines remain solid at entrances and exits for commercial areas. In these cases, motorists need to signal, remain in their lane, yield to bikes and turn from their lane when safe.