Put lipstick on a Pig it's still a Pig

The accident record for pedestrians crossing Pacific Coast Highway in Laguna Beach show half the incidents happen within a marked crosswalk. We don't see crosswalks across the 405 Freeway for obvious reasons, one being drivers won't expect to find a pedestrian crossing there. So why put crosswalks across Pacific Coast Highway in a zone posted for 35mph? Update: Caltrans has increased the posted speed limit in these zones to 40mph. Should we expect drivers to react differently? Why? Steven Hansen reports the poor accident record and the dilemma for both pedestrians and drivers trying to co-exist on Pacific Coast Highway in Laguna Beach. Read the article by the Coastline Pilot.

Bike lane on PCH obstructed

What little city support we have for bike lanes in Laguna Beach, the workers who placed these traffic cones north of Laguna Beach serve no-one. This was the scene at Ruby's Diner on Pacific Coast Highway today. The cones tell the cyclist to ride in freeway traffic because the bike lane is hazardous. Huh?

Finding PARKING, "Honey, is there an APP for that"?

In San Francisco there is. Sensors installed in city-owned garages and on-street parking track when and where parking is available and relay the information to your hand-held device. Parking lots can adjust rates up or down to track demand and give drivers alternative locations to park. National Public radio on-line has the full story.

Laguna Canyon Road Widening at El Toro Road

From the Laguna Beach City Website

Laguna Canyon Road Widening at El Toro Road

8/26/2011

The County of Orange will be adding a second outbound traffic lane on Laguna Canyon Road at its intersection with El Toro Road. This added through lane is intended to allow more outbound vehicles through the intersection. The improvement is expected to improve movement through the intersection at peak hours for both outbound traffic on Laguna Canyon Road and inbound traffic on El Toro Road. The project is actually a final phase of the Laguna Canyon Road Realignment project. Hillcrest Contracting has been hired to perform the first phase of work, which also includes a new traffic signal and curb ramps. Construction will begin after Labor Day and is scheduled to be completed in December. Work will take place during the day. The County is coordinating with CalTrans to avoid conflicts with the Caltrans Laguna Canyon Road Resurfacing project. Later phases of this project consist of widening the street north of El Toro Road and undergrounding the overhead utility lines.

Days later the content of this article was completely changed to this:

Laguna Canyon Road Resurfacing

8/26/2011

Caltrans has hired All American Asphalt to resurface Laguna Canyon Road between Forest Avenue and the toll road. Construction will begin on weekdays after Labor Day and is scheduled to be completed in early November. In order to avoid traffic congestion and business access restrictions, most of the work will occur at night. Some work will take place during the day between Forest Avenue and Canyon Acres Drive, where there are fewer conflicts with businesses. The work generally will involve grinding the road surface to remove about one inch of asphalt and then placing a new layer of asphalt.

Laguna senior discovers the car-free life "I LOVE IT"

Skipper Lynn, a driving force behind the construction of the senior center (Susi Q)in Laguna Beach, no longer drives a car. The 80-year-old was involved in a car accident and gave up her car. "I took the insurance check from Allstate and put it in the bank. Since then I have taken city transportation, and I love it! Love it! Love it!" But Skipper Lynn like so many other seniors who regularly visit the Laguna Beach Susi Q discovered there is no bus stop there. What? Nobody thought of putting a bus-stop in front of a Senior Center? Read the full article at the Coastline Pilot.

Malibu benefits from $300,000 grant to study bike safety on Pacific Coast Highway

Caltrans awarded a $300,000 grant to the Southern California Association of Governments which Malibu is a member. The grant funds a study of highway current conditions (that should be obvious, ask any cyclist who rides PCH) and promotes improved safety for cyclists. The grant application was written by staff of Public Works, Malibu. To participate, Malibu's contribution was $75k. Grants supporting Complete Streets Policy are available for both DOT highways and city streets, Laguna Beach Public Works should apply. Full story here.

Los Angeles Council Supports Cyclists Rights

PROGRESS! 

1. LA City Council unanimously approved a first-in-nation ordinance enabling cyclists to seek damages from drivers who harass or threaten them. Councilmember Bill Rosendahl, sponsor of the ordinance, has launched an online campaign to encourage bicyclists in Los Angeles and beyond to share their stories of threats and harassment.   

2. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa issued a rare directive calling on city officials to implement the updated bike plan approved by the city council earlier this spring. Villaraigosa ordered the implementation of bike facilities and bike-friendly features in all public facilities, public works construction and other projects; bike infrastructure requirements and construction standards in zoning and building codes; bikeway design, installation and maintenance standards; and bike-related education in outreach campaigns.

3. Mayor Villaraigosa is backing Senate Bill 910, the 3-foot passing bill cosponsored by California Bike Coalition and the City of Los Angeles. Read the complete interview here.

Read these stories at CalBike.org here. 

Laguna Beach Plans for Bike Safety in North Laguna

The City Council of Laguna Beach approved a bill to apply Sharrow stencils,  a double-chevron bicycle symbol, on the inland side of Pacific Coast Highway in North Laguna. The Stencils signal motorists to share the lane with bicyclists on the road. Sharrows indicate that cyclists have the right of way and enough room to avoid getting “doored” from a parked car and seriously injured. Read the full article in the Laguna Beach Independent here.

3-foot Passing Law clears California Senate

California could soon become the nation's 19th state to enact a 3-foot passing law to protect bicyclists. Last week the California Senate approved CBC-sponsored Senate Bill 910 by a 27-9 vote, sending the bill to the Assembly.

SB 910, authored by Long Beach Sen. Alan Lowenthal and cosponsored by the City of Los Angeles, would establish three feet as the minimum clearance when a motorist passes a bicyclist from behind under most conditions. Three feet is the passing distance recommended in the California Driver's Handbook.

New EV Charging Stations in Laguna Beach

Two electric vehicle charging stations are available in Laguna Beach at Broadway and Forest Avenue. The charging stations will be commissioned by City Council on 21 June 4:00pm See the Laguna Beach Independent Facebook page for more details.