The following commentary was sent to the City Council for consideration of agenda item 333 on May 28, 2002, City of San Diego Bicycle Master Plan.

Some Issues with the Bicycle Master Plan

1. It appears that the plan was written by bicyclists and for bicyclists with limited consideration for the communities they pass through.
2. Attitude (page 1 reflected throughout): “here we come and you can’t do anything about it because we have all the rights of motor vehicles to be on the road.”
3. Bicyclists of the plan are adults and not the under 16 children even though mentioned. It is assumed that cyclists have all the knowledge and responsibilities of mature drivers. At one place (page 49) 12-14 year olds are addressed “should be directed to ride on the streets...” Paint the lanes and ‘they will come’. How about ensuring they are ready to bicycle and don’t’ put the onus on the educational community; the bicycle clubs should take some responsibility for this.  Suggestion: Dedicate a portion of every bicycle project to bicycle education. How about a table showing the grants for bicycle education? Should young cyclists be licensed? Should they not be permitted on the streets until they pass a test at 16. Are there certain safer/alternate streets that are identified for these young riders? 
4. Young cyclists’ needs in the poorer communities is missing totally. These children are sometimes lucky to have a bicycle let alone in safe working order. How about adult bicyclists (clubs?) donating a day each month with a maintenance/community information/training trailer with free safety checks and repairs; becoming part of the community that they ride through. This might meet some if the implementation wishes on page 91.
5. Surveys at bicycle shops (page 52) do not reflect the broad community concerns. How about surveying motorists at gas stations, restaurant patrons. Who attends their community forums? Are they invited through the bicycle shops?
6. Goals of community plans? Not for Tierrasanta – it is indicated that the Tierrasanta Bike Path to Mission Gorge is part of the Tierrasanta Community Plan (page30) – It wasn’t and isn’t. Tierrasanta parents are particularly concerned with this issue since the community was surprised with the Tierrasanta/Princess View Bike trail studies. This reflects a serious lack of communication with the community at large by the bicycle community (should not council member Madaffer have been informed?). Children will be able to adventure into and out of the Mission Gorge area – a major issue with the proposed, remote, 1400 ft. long, winding, 10 ft. wide, cement trail, at a 5-degree grade. Mission Gorge has fast moving traffic, is an industrial area, with poorly maintained and inadequate bike lanes. Would we build child’s bike trail connecting Tierrasanta to hwy.15? This project is definitely the cart before the horse. From a kids point of view though the trail would be a great place for unsupervised skateboarding (improvising ramps in the area) or as the possible site of an annual soapbox derby grand prix. Seriously though, lets first get the river trails/development in first (page44 some studies completed) with monitored access and police patrols and controls, then lets look at the Tierrasanta Bike Path.

I’m sorry that I was not involved with the Community Council in January when this document was first ready for review. I would have liked to have helped with the plan and in the future if acceptable I will.

There is more re: the Bike Plan and Tierrasanta Bike Trail with the proposed Trail maps on the Tierrasanta Community Council web site, www.tierrasantacc.org.

Lee Campbell, Member of the Tierrasanta Community Council