sharrn

This is my commute to work: https://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/38421604
Yes it's very short, but one intersection is driving me nuts. I'm consistently stuck through two or three light signals just to get into the left turn lane. It's one lane West, One East, and a turn lane. This is the "less traveled" option. The other choice is going straight down "San Marcos blvd" and attempting to get to the thru lane with two lanes of dedicated freeway traffic. I quit riding that route all together. Its too dangerous. A pedestrian was killed the other day at this underpass on San Marcos blvd(the route I quit taking) Not to mention, I ride to work during the going home traffic. I've looked at other routes, but they all add at least 2 to 5 miles. That's not a problem really, But I can't find a good close option Since the f*n freeway runs right through the middle of where I need to go. What should I do? The intersection in question is East Barham and Woodland Parkway.
My total commute is 7 miles or so. I'm just looking for any advice I can get about keeping the commute short, but hopefully safer. I hate this intersection.

buffalo_cody

Your ride isn't public.

sharrn

Fixed it. my bad.

CACycling

Maybe I'm confused. Are you trying to turn left from Barham onto Woodland? If that is the case, go to the far side of the intersection, go ped to cross the street then go back to cycling on Woodland once you clear the intersection. Looks like a controlled cross walk on the far side of the intersection. Should never take more than one cycle of the lights.

SactoDoug

I looked at the map and the satellite view shows what a mess W. San Marcos is. I would avoid any street that has two lanes entering a highway because that is a death trap for cyclists.

If I were you, I would hang a left at S. Twin Oaks Valley road and go over the highway there. The rest of the route should be simple.

sharrn

Yea it's pretty bad getting around on a bike here. I've tried that once or twice, but there's freeway on ramps there too/no bike lane.. I could potentially take the lane, but Twin oaks is pretty busy especially in rush hour(when I'm trying to get to work.) I think its a 45mph speed limit. Really my only other option I think(other than what CACycling said about the pedestrian light) is going up to mission and taking that the whole way. It's not as fun of a ride though, it's all flat and city crap. There's the MUP that runs parallel to Mission, but I try to avoid that because it's interrupted every 1/4 mile or so with a traffic light/pedestrian lights. Not to mention the kids, strollers, walkers, and slow riders.

sharrn

Yea, left onto Woodland from Barham. I'm thinking about doing what you said and using the crosswalk and walk down the sidewalk through the underpass and then riding the rest of the way from the next signal. If I get lucky and manage to get into the turn lane easily I take the full lane through the underpass. It's one lane each direction and no shoulder, sidewalk on the northbound side only.

CACycling

I'd be ready to go either way. If you have a clear shot, take the left turn lane and hold the lane through the underpass. If not, proceed through the intersection, go ped through the underpass and remount when it is clear.

sharrn

https://vimeo.com/25857446 I recorded my commute to work the other day and finally got the video up. Skip ahead to 12:52 to 13:07 and you'll see the intersection. I got lucky that day to get into the turn lane. It's usually very busy. CACycling: I do take the lane if I have a chance to. I've started doing what you recommend by using the Pedestrian light if I can't make the turn lane.