Countywide bike plan sees update; $17M in projects listed
FAIRFIELD — Solano County’s biking future could include such things as a new Ulatis Creek trail segment in Vacaville, a Church Road bike route in Rio Vista and a new Linear Park segment in Fairfield.
The Solano Transportation Authority is updating its Countywide Bicycle Plan. A proposed version lists projects in the county’s rural areas and all seven of its cities totalling 148 miles, in addition to the 132 miles of regional bike lanes and bike paths that already exist.
In the past, the focus has been on completing the cross-county bicycle network, Solano Transportation Authority Associate Planner Sara Woo said Wednesday. This has for the most part been done, though a few gaps remain.
“Now we’ll be having more of a focus on local connections to transit, downtowns and employment centers,” she said.
Building all of the planned bike lanes and paths could cost $80 million and only about $40 million to $60 million is expected to be available over the coming 25 years. The plan includes a priority list that totals more $17 million.
So far, the Solano Transportation Authority Bicycle Advisory Committee has spearheaded the work. With a 116-page proposed plan now finished, the effort is moving into a new phase. The Solano Transportation Authority Technical Advisory Committee voted Wednesday to forward the proposed plan to the Solano Transportation Authority Board of Directors.
Priority projects mentioned on that $17-million list are:
- Suisun City’s $2.1 million Grizzly Island Trail bike lane along southern Highway 12 between Marina Boulevard and Grizzly Island Road. It is to be completed next spring.
- Rio Vista’s $1 million Church Road bike path between Airport Road and Highway 12.
- Vacaville’s $915,000 Ulatis Creek trail segment from Ulatis Drive to Leisure Town Road.
- A $4.2 million segment of Solano County’s bike route connecting Vacaville and Dixon.
- Dixon’s $6.1 millon West B Street undercrossing so bicyclists and pedestrians don’t have to cross the Union Pacific railroad tracks.
- Benicia’s $900,000, one-mile bicycle lane and route connecting Military East Street, East L Street and Adams Street.
- Vallejo’s $2.2 million Georgia Street improvements.
Fairfield isn’t mentioned on this particular list, but it has possible projects in the plan as a whole. Among them are a Linear Park trail between Dover Avenue and Cement Hill Road, a Red Top Road bike lane from Lopes Road to McGary Road and an extension of the Ledgewood Creek trail from Rockville Road to Highway 12.
A main stated goal of the plan is to find ways that bicyclists can safely bike around the county and in its communities, whether they be recreational cyclists or bike commuters. Solano County from 1998 to 2008 had six fatal collisions between vehicles and bikes and 1,070 injury collisions, according to the California Highway Patrol.
The Solano Transportation Authority Bicycle Advisory Committee received public comments while updating the plan.
“Many bicyclists told stories of aggression toward them from motorists,” the proposed plan said. “Conversely, it is not uncommon to see bicyclists running stop signs or riding two or three abreast on narrow roads, which are frustrating activities for motorists.”
The proposed plan calls for “a new era of mutual awareness and understanding” between all people using local roads. It talks of educating motorists on the rights of bicyclists and doing more bike safety training at schools.
Solano County has had various bike plans dating back to the early 1980s. The Solano Transportation Authority last updated its plan in 2004.
Reach Barry Eberling at 427-6929, or beberling@dailyrepublic.net.
Short URL: http://www.dailyrepublic.com/?p=112506
Posted by Barry Eberling
on Nov 30 2011.
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Mass transit, bikes and walking are where the future lies as with any densified central core. I’m a cyclist and use Vancouver bike lanes for my daily commute to work, and appreciate them. It is good to see that many other cities around the world are recognizing the huge benefits that cycling offers at lower cost than any other mode. Increased mobility, less congestion, better health, less pollution and a more productive workforce to name a few.