Northern California - Saratoga Chairwoman weighs in on Cycling

I just read this article:

http://www.mercurynews.com/breakingn...nclick_check=1

The last paragraph is disturbing:

Although the city views bicycle lane safety as an important issue, commission chairwoman Brigitte Ballingall is not sure they even belong on the road. "I think it's an idiotic sport to do on the road - it's just insane," she said.

I know many of you ride through Saratoga, you should send her an email with your thoughts on her comments. Here is her email address: brige26@hotmail.com

Your URL is invalid.

http://www.mercurynews.com/search/ci_6641083

Here's a link that works.

She apologized for that already. Saratoga is a dangerous place to ride, in my opinion, very narrow shoulder, older population, lots of tree cover that shades the road and lowers visibility.

http://www.cyclelicio.us/2007/08/transportation-commission-chair.html

I just read this article:

http://www.mercurynews.com/breakingn...nclick_check=1

The last paragraph is disturbing:

Although the city views bicycle lane safety as an important issue, commission chairwoman Brigitte Ballingall is not sure they even belong on the road. "I think it's an idiotic sport to do on the road - it's just insane," she said.

I know many of you ride through Saratoga, you should send her an email with your thoughts on her comments. Here is her email address: brige26@hotmail.com

I find the whole discussion of whether or not parking in bike lanes is disturbing, personally. So, if everyone who drives a car decides to park in the bike lanes, nothing can be done? Am I the only one who finds that ludicrous?

East Hill

I find the whole discussion of whether or not parking in bike lanes is disturbing, personally. So, if everyone who drives a car decides to park in the bike lanes, nothing can be done? Am I the only one who finds that ludicrous?

East Hill

In that case I'll just take the lane. What goes around comes around. They want to park in the bike lane, I'll do whatever is necessary to guarantee my safety.

She apologized for that already. Saratoga is a dangerous place to ride, in my opinion, very narrow shoulder, older population, lots of tree cover that shades the road and lowers visibility.


Some roads in many towns are narrow with tree cover, but I do not think that is true of the majority of roads in Saratoga. Wasn't the cyclist killed on Highway 9, which is a very wide road with bike lanes (at least in the section of Highway 9 connecting Saratoga and Los Gatos)?

In that case I'll just take the lane. What goes around comes around. They want to park in the bike lane, I'll do whatever is necessary to guarantee my safety.

I agree. But it's odd to suggest that it's perfectly acceptable to park in bike lanes, whereas DRIVING in bike lanes is prohibited :rolleyes: .

East Hill

She was talking about Pierce Rd. Of course, if Pierce Rd is in Saratoga, the Saratoga P.D. can always ensure the California Vehicle Code is followed strictly by all users.

Wasn't the cyclist killed on Highway 9, which is a very wide road with bike lanes (at least in the section of Highway 9 connecting Saratoga and Los Gatos)?I thought he was killed on Saratoga Ave. near Lawrence; heading toward Saratoga. There ought to be "no parking or standing" signs on all bike lanes. Still, the cyclist should have had his head up and be watchful of what was in front of him.

She apologized for that already. Saratoga is a dangerous place to ride, in my opinion, very narrow shoulder, older population, lots of tree cover that shades the road and lowers visibility.

http://www.cyclelicio.us/2007/08/transportation-commission-chair.html

Well, IMHO, saying "I think it's an idiotic sport to do on the road - it's just insane," cannot be mistaken to be out of context. She is definitely an enemy to all cyclists, and she convinces me to think Saratoga is anti-cycling, and will try to avoid the city. At least they didn't arrest me for riding my bike in the city of Saratoga!

the Saratoga P.D. can always ensure the California Vehicle Code is followed strictly by all users.

Nope, there is no such thing as the Saratoga P.D. The city of Saratoga contracts out with the county so you have Santa Clara County Sheriffs people there. Traditionally the sheriffs office ins't all too concerned with VC, at least in Saratoga. Now before you post on this thread about how you got a damn ticket in Saratoga, I'm refering to the VC that is traditionally enforced by CSOs for police departments, and the Sheriffs Office doesn't have any of those, so non moving violations (i.e parking in the bike lane) aren't going to be enforced.