City of Coronado Bicycle Map, Schools, Traffic Signals and Crossing Guard Locations

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1 City of Coronado Bicycle Map, Schools, Traffic Signals and Crossing Guard Locations Early Childhood Development Center Crossing Guard - AM Crossing Guard - PM Coronado Middle Village Elementary Coronado High Silver Strand Elementary Bike Path Under the Bridge LEGEND Bike/Ped Path Bike Lane School Crossing Guard N Traffic Signal August 2014

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3 Safe Routes to School - Parent Info Sheet Will your student be biking or walking to school next year? If so, great! Biking and walking to school can help increase daily physical activity, which research has shown can help youth maintain healthy weights, bones and muscles, reduce the risk of disease, improve academic performance and improve psychological well-being. WHICH ROUTE TO TAKE? Whether you have lived in Coronado your whole life or moved here recently, there are a few things to keep in mind when selecting a biking or walking route to school for your student. While only you can select the best route for your student between your specific home location and school location, these tips are designed to help inform your decision. PICK YOUR ROUTE When picking your route, it is important to remember that the shortest route may not always be the fastest or the safest. Consider the location of bike lanes, bike paths, and crossing guards, your student s age and cycling ability, major roads that must be crossed, vehicle traffic volumes and speeds, the need for your student to make left turns, and the presence of stop signs and driveways. Below are some practical tips that can help you pick a route for your student to get to and from school: Crossing Major Roads: Coronado is divided by two state highways that have higher auto traffic volumes and speeds (Orange Avenue and Third and Fourth Streets). Locations that provide enhanced crossing opportunities are listed below and are shown in the attached map: o Orange Avenue First Street (signalized intersection with a bike lane) Sixth Street (signalized intersection with a bike lane) Seventh Street (not signalized, however crossing guards are present in the mornings and afternoons) o Third and Fourth Streets Third Street and F Avenue (crossing guard is present weekday mornings) Fourth Street and F Avenue (crossing guard is present weekday afternoons). Bike Path under the Coronado Bridge (completely separated from vehicle traffic) Orange Avenue (the only signalized crossing of Third and Fourth Streets). Bike Path under the Coronado Bridge Consider Cycling Ability: Consider your student s age and cycling ability when selecting a route. Younger students have less skill at estimating closing speed for automobiles and have less ability to process peripheral vision. It is better for younger students to cycle on less complicated streets with lower traffic volumes and speeds where they can focus on one hazard at a time. Older students will

4 cycle faster, so they need to have longer sight lines. Remember that routes suitable for high school students may be less suitable for elementary school students, and vice versa. Left Turns: When possible, select routes with right turns, rather than left turns. It is much easier for a cyclist (particularly a beginning cyclist) to turn right than to turn left. This means that the best route to school may be different from the best route home. When left turns are necessary, bicyclists should look over their left shoulder, signal left and merge into the left side of the lane (or into the left turn lane) when safe to do so. Alternatively, bicyclists may also dismount and walk in the crosswalks of the two intersecting roads. Bicyclists should never make a left turn from the right side of the road, including from a bicycle lane. If a bicyclist is traveling straight ahead and a right-turn only lane is present, they should move left into the through traffic lane. Stop Signs: When possible, select routes with fewer stop signs. Stopping requires significant extra effort to regain lost momentum, tempting students to run stop signs illegally. It is often safer for them to ride on a slightly busier street with fewer stops and the protection of having the right of way, rather than to risk running stop signs. Remember that all stop signs apply to bicyclists as well as drivers. Driveways: When possible, select routes with fewer curb cuts and driveways. Vehicles turning into and out of driveways and alleys are a hazard to cyclists (especially bicyclists that are riding on the sidewalk). A street with fewer curb cuts is often safer, even if motor vehicle volumes and speeds are slightly higher. WHERE TO RIDE? Street: Per CA law, bicyclists are entitled to share the road with motor vehicles. However, when doing so, they have the same rights and responsibilities as motor vehicle drivers and must obey all traffic laws. This means, for example, bicyclists must stop at all stop signs, obey traffic signals, and ride in the same direction as traffic, not against it. Remember that, when traveling slower than vehicle traffic, bicyclists should ride as near to the right curb or edge of the roadway as practical. However, when on-street parking is present, they should also stay out of the door zone and avoid weaving in and out of parked cars. If the lane is too narrow for cars to pass, drivers are required to wait patiently until they can pass safely on the left with 3 feet of clearance. Bicyclists should ride single file on busy or narrow streets. Sidewalks: Riding bicycles on sidewalks is prohibited in Coronado s business districts (see Coronado Bike-Free Sidewalk Zones handout). If riding your bike on the sidewalk in other locations, keep in mind that drivers are often not looking for bicyclists on sidewalks and bicycle When riding in the street, stay out of the Door Zone

5 accident rates are higher on sidewalks. If sidewalks are part of your route, yield to pedestrians, bike defensively, and assume drivers turning into alleys or backing out of driveways do not see you. Also, dismount and walk your bike in all marked crosswalks. Bike Path: Bike paths are completely separated from motor vehicles. Coronado has a network of paths, shown in red on the attached map. Bike paths are shared by bicyclists and pedestrians. Remember that bicyclists are required to yield the right of way to pedestrians. Bike Lanes: A bicycle lane is a traffic lane just like any other; however they are designed to improve safety for bicyclists by separating them from vehicle traffic and giving them a dedicated travel lane. A bicycle lane helps channel bicycle traffic and increases driver awareness that bicyclists may be present. It also helps drivers to better anticipate where to look for bicyclists. Children may, but are not required to ride in bike lanes. Below are a few safety tips for bike lanes: o o For Bicyclists: Stay in the bike lane if traveling slower than the speed of traffic. It is okay to leave the bicycle lane under certain circumstances, for example to pass another bicyclist, prepare to turn left, or avoid hazards or a car door. Ride predictably and use arm signals before entering or exiting the bicycle lane. Bike lanes improve safety for bicyclists, however, watch for car doors opening into a bike lane - some can open as wide as 4 feet! For Drivers: Take extra care when opening your car door next to a bicycle lane. Vehicles are not allowed in bicycle lanes unless they are entering or leaving the roadway or preparing to turn right at an intersection. When turning right next to a bike lane, first check for bicyclists, then merge into the dashed white stripes of a bike lane. Do not attempt to turn right from the travel lane across the bike lane, as you may hit a bicyclist that is going straight. Remember that bicyclists are allowed to travel in vehicle lanes, even with a bicycle lane present, if they are riding at the same speed as traffic, preparing to turn left, or avoiding a hazard. Shared-Lane Pavement Marking (a.k.a Sharrows ): Sharrows are bicycle symbols carefully placed on roadways to guide bicyclists to the best place to ride on the road. They also remind drivers to share the road with cyclists. Sharrows help improve safety by encouraging The Law Requires Drivers to Allow at Least Three Feet When Passing a Bicyclist Open car doors can be a hazard to bicyclists Shared-Lane Markings or Sharrows

6 bicyclists to position themselves in line with the sharrow to help prevent unsafe vehicle passing where lanes are too narrow for a motor vehicle and bicycle to travel safely side by side. Sharrows also alert drivers to the presence of bicyclists and the lane position that bicyclists are likely to occupy within the travel lane. In Coronado, sharrows are currently located in the Pomona Roundabout. Bicyclists may choose to follow the sharrows and ride in the travel lane or ride up onto the sidewalk, dismount, and cross in the crosswalks as a pedestrian. USE HAND SIGNALS Use hand signals before making turns or changing lanes to warn traffic around you. To signal a left turn, look over your left shoulder, and then extend your left arm out. To signal a right turn, hold your left arm up with your elbow bent (you may also hold your right arm straight and point to the right). You do not have to keep your arm extended while completing the maneuver always have at least one hand on the handlebars to maintain control. To signal that you are slowing or stopping, extend your left arm down. GEAR UP! California law requires bicyclists and bicycle passengers under 18 to wear a helmet. Often students are concerned about helmets looking uncool and may unstrap their helmets or place them on their handlebars while riding. Parents can do a lot to encourage students to wear helmets by wearing them themselves at all times while riding a bicycle (see the Fitting Your Helmet handout for additional tips). BE VISIBLE AND ALERT At night, California law (CVC 21201) requires a bicycle to be equipped with a white light (visible from 300 feet from the front and sides of the bicycle), a red reflector on the rear (visible from 500 feet), a white or yellow reflector on each pedal, shoe, or ankle (visible from 200 feet), and a white or yellow reflector on the sides of the bicycle (or reflectorized front and back tires). Increase your visibility by wearing light or bright colored clothes, such as yellow or lime green. Red appears black in fading light and is not a good choice for riding in the evening. WANT TO KNOW MORE? Below are some links to learn more about bicycle safety in California. Happy riding! Caltrans Bicycle Program Codes, Laws, and Regulations: CA Driver Handbook Laws and Rules of the Road: San Diego County Bicycle Coalition Bicycle Laws and Safety Tips: Laws-Safety-Tips.html San Diego Safe Routes to School Coalition:

7 Crossing Guards - AM Third Street and F Mon Fri; 7:45 am 8:15 am Crossing Guard at Sixth and F (30 minutes) Seventh Street and Orange Mon Fri; 7:45 am 8:15 am (30 mins) Sixth Street and F Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri; 7:45 am 3:15 pm (7.5 hours) Wed: 7:45 am 1:45 pm (6 hours)

8 Crossing Guards - PM Fourth Street and F Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri 2:20 pm 3:20 pm (1 hour) Crossing Guard at Fourth and F Wed; 1:05 1:50 pm (45 minutes) Seventh Street and Orange Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri; 2:30 pm 3:15 pm (45 mins) Wed; 1:05 1:50 pm (45 minutes) Sixth Street and F Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri; 7:45 am 3:15 pm (7.5 hours) Wed; 7:45 am 1:45 pm (6 hours)

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11 DUI 2% Following too closely 5% Violation of Traffic Signals/Signs 6% CORONADO PRIMARY CAUSE FACTOR FOR COLLISIONS WHERE BICYCLIST WAS AT FAULT Unsafe backing/starting 2% Unknown 2% Lights 1% Improper passing 1% Right of Way Violation 28% Wrong side of road 9% Other 11% Improper turning 14% Speed unsafe for conditions 19%

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13 2015 Bike Thefts 216 Bikes Stolen; Value of $124,346 The majority are unlocked or locked with a cable lock 65% from residential homes; 14% from schools; 13% from businesses 2015 Bike Thefts - Locked vs Unlocked U Lock Cut 5% Other 4% Cable Lock Cut 40% Unlocked 51% 2015 Bike Theft Locations School 14% Other 0% Marine/Water 2% Recreational 6% Business 13% Residential 65%

14 NUMBER OF BIKES STOLEN Coronado Bike Theft Trends The good news is that the Coronado Police Department has been working hard to combat bike thefts and bike thefts are going down bike thefts are down 26% compared to 2014 and 38% compared to 2013! Coronado Bike Thefts Per Year How to Lock Your Bike with a U-Lock to the Coronado Bike Racks:

15 Did you Know? Locking Your Bike Do s & Don ts - An average of 23 bikes are stolen in Coronado per month. - Leaving a bicycle lying on its side or blocking pedestrian traffic on a sidewalk is prohibited by California law (CVC Section 2120) Here are some handy do s and don ts to help keep our sidewalks safe and make sure thieves don t target your bike: Lock your bike to a bike rack for optimum security use a U-lock and lock your front tire and frame. Don t leave bikes unlocked or in a position where they could fall over and cause a tripping hazard. Park Your Bike Parallel & Centered on the Mini Bike- Shaped Racks to Support the Bike Bikes Parked Perpendicular May Block the Sidewalk and Fall Over Locking Loop Wheel Trough Use Available Bike Racks to Help Prevent Bike Theft & Keep Sidewalk Clear Don t Lock to Trees, Poles, Benches, or Leave Your Bike Unlocked Use Bike Racks Instead Place Front Wheel in Wheel Trough and Lock the Bike to the Locking Loop with a U-Lock. Failure to Use Wheel Trough May Block Other Bikes and Pedestrians and Allow Bike To Be Knocked Over

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17 Bike Law FAQ Q. Does a bicyclist have to stop at stop signs & obey all traffic laws? A. Yes. Per CVC a person riding a bicycle upon a highway has all the rights and is subject to all the provisions applicable to the driver of a vehicle. Q. Should a bicycle ride with traffic or against it? A. Always ride the same direction as traffic when riding in the street or in a bike lane CVC Q. Can bicyclists ride two or more abreast? A. Per CMC , bicyclists may ride two abreast (but not more) on City streets, on bike paths and in bike lanes. Q. Is bike riding on the sidewalk always illegal? A. No. The CVC does not prohibit bicycle riding on sidewalks, but allows local municipalities to do so (CVC (g)). Per CMC , bicycle riding is prohibited on the sidewalks in Coronado s business districts. Q. Can a bike be parked so it blocks the sidewalk? A. No. Per CVC no person shall leave a bicycle lying on its side on any sidewalk, or shall park a bicycle on a sidewalk in any other position, so that there is not an adequate path for pedestrian traffic. Q. When can a bicyclist legally ride in the center of a lane? A. Per CVC a bicyclist must ride as far to the right as practicable when traveling slower than the speed of traffic. However a number of exceptions apply that allow a bicyclist to legally ride in the center of a lane. These are: when traveling at the same speed as traffic, when passing, when preparing to turn left, or when avoiding conditions that make it unsafe to continue along the right-hand curb or edge (including, but not limited to, fixed or moving

18 objects, vehicles, bicycles, pedestrians, animals, surface hazards, or substandard width lanes). The substandard lane width clause means that bicyclists can legally ride in the center of a lane when it is too narrow to share side by side with a vehicle. Examples of some major streets in Coronado where bicyclists can legally ride in the center of the lane are Orange Ave and Ocean Blvd, among others. Q. What should a bicyclist do if they are legally riding in the center of the lane and they are slower than traffic? A. CVC 21202(a)(3) refers to CVC 21656, which means that if bicycles are taking the lane legally and vehicles are stacking up behind them and cannot pass (only one lane is present each way), the bicyclist must turn out to the side if five or more vehicles are behind them (same rule as for other slow moving vehicles). When the lane widens enough to safely share side by side with a vehicle, the bicyclist should move back to the right. Q. What should a driver do if a bicycle is traveling slower in front of them in the center of the lane? A. Drivers should wait patiently to pass until they can do so safely. On Orange a driver should pass using the adjacent lane. On streets with only one lane in each direction, a driver can merge into the oncoming lane when safe to do so, if not prevented by a double yellow line. If a double yellow is present and there is only one lane in each direction a driver must wait patiently in this scenario CVC requires the bicyclist to pull to the right when safe to do so to allow vehicles to pass (just like other slow moving vehicles). Whenever a vehicle is passing a bicyclist, CVC (the Three Feet for Safety Act) requires drivers to leave at least 3 feet of clearance between their vehicle and a bicyclist.