Here are a collection of comments from Road Warrior readers:
‘PLEASE FIX THIS’
At the railroad crossing just east of the Lytton Springs northbound off ramp of 101, some clever soul put a sign on the crossing sign about two weeks ago: “PLEASE FIX THIS.” The crossing itself is very worn and rough (photos attached, but they don’t really show how bad the road is) and has been so for a long, long time. There are no streetlights in the area and I imagine folks going across it at night get quite a surprise. In addition to local traffic, much of the River Rock casino visitors drive through here. Maybe the casino would pay for the repairs?? Well, one can dream. Sally
Road Warrior: Thanks for sending in the photos. I think you’ll have to wait for the SMART rail line to be expanded north before it’s rebuilt.
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When drivers shouldn’t stop for bicyclists
I ride bikes a lot. I commute and ride for fun and, overall, the respect and courtesy the motoring public pays to cyclists is much improved and appreciated (in spite of the rage and grumbling seen in this column). I fear though there are times when it goes a little too far. I cross College Ave. daily at Beaver. I stop for the stop sign and there might be a bit of traffic. I will be patiently waiting for traffic to clear, picking my opening, and then a car stops because they want to help me cross. This is crazy. Cars have no obligation to stop in this condition for a cyclist (acting as a vehicle). It creates confusion for other motorists as well as creating a dangerous situation for a cyclist with traffic coming from the other direction. For myself and other cyclists, we will watch for the openings in traffic; when someone stops when they shouldn’t, it creates a situation fraught with danger. I encourage the motorists to treat cyclists stopped at stop signs as a vehicle – the cyclist can cross when it’s safe for them. Please don’t invite a cyclist into a dangerous situation. I always try to wave the offenders through with a wave and thanks but it’s awkward – you can see they’re now annoyed because they tried to be courteous to cyclist. If they had acted like vehicles should, they wouldn’t be.
My cycling buddies talk have talked about this condition and everyone is clear that WHEN CARS STOP WHEN THEY SHOULDN’T, it is an invitation to a disaster for the cyclist and other motorists. Thanks for listening. Craig
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Randy
i dont see bicyclists paying registration fees or road taxes……… yet they demand a large percentage of right of way and road repairs
June 15th, 2012 7:35 pm
Dick Bartlett
That grade crossing at Lytton Springs/Lytton Station is a serious hazard. Someone is going to have an accident there and it will then be the responsibility/liability of SMART. Notice has been given that it is a hazardous crossing and someone has the responsibility to keep our roads safe. Maybe the County needs to tell SMART to get it fixed.
June 15th, 2012 9:03 pm
Jess
I have hit those rough railroad tracks up to River Rock many times, and it is rough on the car. The pictures definitively don’t show how bad it really is.
As for the bikers…the only thing I really hate about living in Sonoma County is the constant biking. They’re everywhere, all the time. They act obnoxiously for the most part, as if they’re more entitled to the road. Even worse, they rarely use the bike lanes, and if they do they ride on the line so that I, as the driver am put in a position to narrowly squeeze between the biker, and the car in the lane next to me, or I have to slow down and cause traffic behind me until I can safely go around the biker. Frustrating to deal with on a daily basis.
June 16th, 2012 12:16 am
Bob D
I agree Craig. Well said.
June 16th, 2012 6:22 am
Richard Mayer
Another “rural” road that is in terrible condition is Pacific Ave in Santa Rosa. This highly traveled road is in shambles from patches from previous projects, are they done yet. Pave away.
June 16th, 2012 8:02 am
rick mahoney
the railroad tracks and right-a-way are owned by some railroad company. who is that company? what is their address,email,and phone number? sadly they are under no obligation to fix the tracks. no legal obligation either. sad but true. however, bombard them with mail,phone calls, and emails and exposure on this blog maybe something will get done. or just go out there at night and dig up the tracks and repave just part of it at a time. this “might” be illegal so be careful.
June 16th, 2012 10:15 am
Jim
Craig, thank you for being in the minority of courteous cyclists. Every day I see cyclists misusing the CA vehicular code, just as you and I probably see drivers misusing the CA vehicular code. The perception is that we drivers have been driving longer and should know better, not always the case. Just as lots of cyclists who have been riding longer should know better. Just a while ago on 4th street a female cyclist cruised into the crosswalk (through a stop sign) and proceeded to cross in front of the oncoming traffic while riding in the cross walk. Never looked up, just took her right-of-way and expected me driving a ton of metal to stop on a dime for her, which we did and she paid no attention to the vehicles behind me also travelling 30-35 MPH hitting their brakes. This is an everyday occurrence as I commute early morning hours observing cyclists riding without lights, riding on wrong side of road, riding on sidewalk and just doing whatever they please. If drivers did that we would be citied on the spot, these cyclists get away time after time. if in fact they are cited with multiple violations their bicycle should be impounded and they should have their riding privileged suspended; just as we drivers are subject to. I too ride a cycle for recreation and not transportation, if I happen to see an oncoming car it is way easier for me to pull up a bicycle and allow the vehicle to continue on, then take the risk and cross in front of it.
June 16th, 2012 11:46 am
Kirsten
Craig-
I agree, very dangerous. I was recently in a horrible accident due to a pick-up that stopped at a green light to let a car in the opposing left turn lane go. Well, I didn’t see her and she couldn’t see me due to the truck and now her car is totaled. Thank god there was the metal of a car for protection.
My problem on my bike when I ride to work is I wait at the crosswalk for the “walk” and when I start across someone turning right almost runs me over making a right on the red. They only look for oncoming cars and don’t pay attention to the crosswalk.
June 16th, 2012 11:47 am
Judy
Why is the county fixing Wright Road when there are other roads in the county that are in worse shape?
June 16th, 2012 11:49 am
Randy
rick mahoney
The railroad company you speak of is prevented from repairing that crossing by lawsuits. they cant cross teh healsburg bridge yet and currently their Eviromental impact report is being challenged. you want iut fixed tell marin county and the evirogroups to quit filing lawsuits and preventing them from repairing all of the railroad tracks
June 16th, 2012 9:46 pm
paul
The people who think they are saving everyone by doling out their version of “right of way”, Everyone thinks you are an idiot causing more traffic problems than you seem to notice. It is not your right to alter the “right of way” patterns. You take from everyone else to look good to someone who often doesn’t want your larggess.
So, please stop saving the world, as no one appreciates your actions.
June 17th, 2012 12:34 am
paul
Also, general use usually produces problem solutions. Years ago I began to cross yellow lines (when traffic allowed) when riding by groups of riders. I did this in front of cops and CHP and sheriffs, and they all, ALL, let it happen, seeing it as a safe, but quasi illegal action. I probably wasn’t the first, but I was consistent and felt sure that I wouldn’ be ticketed. This isn’t an answer to anything big, but it shows that traffic learns as many others are doing this now, and the press has pointed out the police are okay with it. This isn’t me forcing others to do anything, just trying to be safe with my driving. people working together.
June 17th, 2012 12:44 am
Jeff
Hey road bikers. Go ride around in the empty bike lanes in santa rosa that u pressured everyone to install. Stay off the winecountry roads. And how about picking a hobby that doesnt involve me. Ps, the wineries hate you.
June 17th, 2012 1:38 am
Jeff T
As far as cyclists on the roads, motorists really don’t know what to expect. Many cyclists act as pedestrians- moving against traffic, riding on sidewalks, or riding with traffic and suddenly careening into a crosswalk to make a left turn, etc. If every cyclist followed the rules of the road, we’d all know aht to expect, but when few do, it can be mayhem.
Personally, I, like Jeff above, would love to see any bicyclist using the idiot bike lanes that have ruined the livability of Santa Rosa. Not that I’m on those roads every day (thank goodness!), but I have almost never seen any bikes at all in those lanes. Get rid of them as a failed experiment, and let the other 99.999% of us have our quality of life back.
June 17th, 2012 2:07 pm
Chris from Santa Rosa
In response to the expressions of hostility against cyclists expressed in this discussion thread, let me say this:
1. Bicycles on public roads are here to stay. That will never change, so the burden is on the haters to make the necessary adjustments.
2. There were two major fires along Hwy 101 yesterday that were caused by burning cigarette butts discarded by motorists. Whatever problems cyclists create, that is one we will never have to worry about.
Discuss.
June 17th, 2012 4:48 pm
Jeremy
First, I’d like to thank Chris for making this discussion possible and especially for not making me use Facebook Inc. to post my comment. It’s interesting living in Sonoma County in this day and time. A semi affluent community, Sonoma County, still appears to be living in the balance between an outdated automobile centric mindset and one eager to move on to new healthier and sustainable lifestyles. In my observation, many of the comments here are by folks, who like most people, fail to take the time to understand the situation and instead respond based on their emotion or preconceived ideas of what is right and wrong. In other words, they are responding ignorantly. Many people want to ignore all of the facts and other ideology encompassing the issue. They simply want to protect their individual ideas and notions because they have never stopped and questioned them at the risk of having to admit they may be wrong… For those of you who still hold to the notion that cars “belong” on the road, if you were given a homework assignment to write out a list of the good things the automobile has brought to humanity what would be one of the topics you would discuss? What about an essay about real costs of an automobile centered culture? How about for a bicycle, could you write an essay about the impact a bicycle has had on humanity? With a little thinking and less reacting, you will quickly find the same result I came up with.
There is no question, Sonoma and Napa Counties both have made their mark in popular wine culture around the world due to the incredible micro climates, fertile soils, and the traditions started by the original artisan wine makers who first settled here. However, with all things wonderful, the mark of wine has brought with it a host of chefs, bakers, artists, photographers, bed and breakfast owners and yes cyclists, wine tasters, and tourists from all over all anxious to share in this bounty. It’s important to understand that we cannot have a homogenous culture of wine makers who drive cars. We need to understand what contributes to the value of the wine and the quality of living we enjoy here in Sonoma County.
As a native Sonoma County resident, I’m sadden when I read, “Ps the wineries hate you!” or “idiot bike lanes” On countless occasions while out riding my bike on the beautiful rural roads of Sonoma County, where I grew up, I have stopped in Healdsburg for coffee. It’s sitting there where I will be greeted by an overly excited tourist, “how far are you riding today?” In those conversations I have given numerous recommendations to wine tourists looking for a good winery to visit. Having worked in the vineyards to help pay my way through college I have come to appreciate the hard work to make wine. I have also come to understand that much of this burden is carried on the shoulders of folks who are here illegally and hired by wineries. During my years of working side by side with Spanish speaking folks, I also met a number of great wine makers. It was during these years when I began to observe the corporatization and consolidation of many of our cherished “family owned” wineries. The wine industry is not all pretty perfect as it looks from the road and on my bicycle. Therefore, I have to stop and question the motives of the monopolized wine industry and the comments posted here. Jeff, do you represent the voice of the corporate wine industry with profits first and a formation of a monoculture second? Or do you just represent the aggression forming by a culture being overtaken by corporatization and without the ability to make meaningful connections you have decided it’s the cyclists on the road that are contributing to your unhappiness?
On another occasion I was out riding and was greeted by another cyclist. It turns out he is the owner and wine maker at Taft Street Winery in Graton. He said he rides his bike from Santa Rosa to Graton every day. From then on whenever I meet a tourist looking to go to a winery I always recommend they check out Taft Street. Hey Jeff, what winery did you say you work for?
We cannot pretend and ignore the truth much longer. Cycling, tourism, wine, exceptional local farming and hospitality must find a way to coexist in Sonoma County. The world view of the automobile centric culture is quickly losing its grip as many residents find the joy and health aspects of riding a bicycle. Take a look at that cyclist on the road and realize she might be your doctor, architect, engineer, lawyer, accountant, farmer, contractor, field laborer, chef, waiter, photographer, coach, teacher, professor, mechanic, gardener, wine tourist, wine maker, or any number of possible professions, but above all another human!
June 17th, 2012 10:00 pm
Craig
Thanks for all the replies. I too share a strong dislike for those cyclists that just have ride however they happen to feel that day. It is unfortunate. I once told a cyclist “Hey that red light is for you!” only to be greeted with a single digit IQ finger. Bike or car, it seems that there are quite a few folks these days that feel they can do what ever they damn well please and whatever they do, it is none of your business. That’s a hard hurdle to overcome. So much for the village.
June 18th, 2012 9:21 pm
Bgfoot
Scott
Regarding road “fixes”; the city recently patched and repaved several sections on hwy 12 between farmers lane and brush creek road. It took weeks and a lot of asphalt. Now, less than three months later they completely scraped it all off and are now re-paving from farmers lane to mission. Keep in mind, alot of the section just had months of work and materials to patch it. How much money did this debacle cost us? There are plenty of roads in Sonoma county that are in serious need of repair!!! We can not afford this kind of waste. Can we???
August 19th, 2012 2:09 pm