Caltrain bike cars should have better markings in the future

Q Maybe this suggestion is already out there, but in case not, here it is. Earlier this week, my family and I boarded a northbound baby bullet train at Mountain View at 5 p.m. Obviously, this is a crowded stop with many bikes. We lined up at the door location as the train arrived but didn’t realize that the car was a bike car. Not wanting to miss this train, we went ahead and boarded this car and began moving to a regular car. We were chastised by a bicyclist because he felt only they should be using this car.

I would not have boarded the car had I known before arrival that it was a bike car. There needs to be some indication (markings on the pavement, warning signs, lights) indicating where the bike cars will be stopping. If that had been in place, I would have avoided those cars, allowing bicyclists better access.

— Ted Atlas A You’re right. New Caltrain bike cars will likely include better signs and markings, but there’s no reason for anyone to be rude about it. Rider mistakes do happen.

Q

In the late afternoon trip along Highway 237 west, the commute lane ends shortly before the Mathilda/101 northbound exit. A huge traffic jam usually forms in the right two lanes as cars jockey to exit there. Because the commute lane has ended, drivers making their way through Sunnyvale to the El Camino junction can use the left-most lane to bypass this mess.

Will the new FastTrak lane provide the same sensible bypass? Where will FastTrak end on the section of 237 west through Sunnyvale to the El Camino junction?

— Ed Johnson, Sunnyvale A The FastTrak express lane will end at the same location as the existing HOV lane, thereby providing the type of bypass that you point out. This should be done before the end of the year.

Q

I have been commuting over the Richmond Bridge since 1997. If anyone thinks the shoulder driving is bad now, wait until the bike lane comes into use. Every fender bender will cause the traffic to come to a standstill until it’s cleared from the other side.

I am fed up with this! — Cornelia Provost A We should know the impact of the bike lane any day now. It’s in use, and hopefully, it will work well for all. Q Missing your column — hope you are enjoying your vacation. Next time, please give us readers a warning.

— Dick Engfer, San Jose Q No column for over a week! Hopefully, a well-deserved vacation and not a medical issue.

— Stephen Heesacker

Q

Where are you?

— Dennis Cole, San Martin

A

I need to give myself a warning. A bad cold that eventually became pneumonia-like sent me to the ER. We thought I would be coming home a few hours later, but I ended up in the hospital for a week (and yes, I had had my flu shot). I’m now on the mend. I so appreciate your concern and good wishes.