Originally Posted by Gallo

Ok I did preface this with no matter what is done some will not be happy. I think with you I will agree on some matters and disagree on others.

This was during the Penasquitos Town Council meeting I gather. I know of it not having attended but being questioned by neighbor whom sits on the council. I was approached by my neighbor as he has seen me many times heading out on my bike over the years and wanted my opinion. This particular intersection I am familiar with as it is less than 2 miles from my house and I have ridden hundreds if not thousands of times. It has a double whammy of cars that there are two turning right exiting the 56 east travelling south on Black Mountain Rd and on the other side cars travelling north on Black Mountain Rd entering the 56 east.

The solution has been the light as it is timed turns for cyclists and or pedestrians both groups of motorist have a red light giving full right of way to cyclist and pedestrians. The tricky part is that some motorists are only looking for other motorists when making a turn on a red light at this intersection. Hence my comment of vigilance, this is a clear example where I have every right legally to boldly strike out as soon as my light is green. I choose not to and make eye contact as I inch out so I am not struck in my legal right away. I pay attention on both sides of the street. I call this defensive riding.

I wave a thank you to each motorist as I pass as someone once told me common courtesy is not common practice. I have had a couple of issues but no close calls over the years. It is not perfect but neither is the world and it works perfect when everybody follows the rules.

I am constantly amazed at how many cyclists simply run the next intersection just west of this one at Camino Del Sur. I am looking for them when driving and almost struck a cyclist as I was travelling straight through that intersection as the cyclist ran a red light with complete and utter disregard for his own safety and the law. I have had a chat with a few of them when cycling.

The woman referenced was a mother whom I would also guess is a motorist was referring to her kids ie kiddos that ride to school in particular Mesa Verde Middle school. My daughter also rode to school some mornings to the same school and the same intersection so she might have been referring to her as well. She was concerned for the safety of her children at that intersection and was the one that brought this forward to the PQ Town Council. I do not believe she was not referring to all cyclist in her kiddo reference. And believe me I am all for encouraging kids to ride my kiddos do and far too few do so. I do not think the tunnel will encourage more but I could be wrong.

If one were to want to make it safer at that intersection no turn on red should suffice. It is quite possible this is the fix that would not be acceptable due to longer wait times.

You use motorist in all capitals and by your writing tone have some disdain of them. That is your flag to carry not mine.

I like your phrase of developer money. Developers do not have any control of this money nor a choice whether or not to pay it. It is a government fee which is paid by its customers ergo effectively a tax.

And as a fellow San Diegian I am not sure what your main gripe is. We have generous bike lanes throughout the city especially on newer roads. We have the Rose Canyon Bike path, the 52 bike path, the 56 bike path, the Ocean Beach bike path, the San Diego River bike Path and more in capital expenditures for a portion of the population about 1 percent who commute by bicycle in the San Diego city population. There are plans for a more complete more and details are being hashed out. I am thankful for what has been done and what is being planned.

The 805 expansion is needed if you have ever gone south of the 8 past 3:30 you would be glad that they are doing something. I am rarely on that road so it does not truly benefit me. I am not against the project.