SRJC student cyclists think that more bike lanes in Sonoma County will reduce the probability of being injured by cars. Some students say they only ride on streets that have bike lanes because there is an area that separates them from a car.

More than a few students reported feeling unsafe while riding their bikes on Elliott Avenue, a high-traffic area during semesters at SRJC.

“Students can be reckless drivers, probably because they are trying to get to class on time,” said Jordan Thomas, a former SRJC student who attends UC Davis. “But it did affect my commute to school because I always had to watch the drivers while I rode.”

Streets with high traffic areas are best avoided unless they have bike lanes, said Aubrie Armstrong, a part-time SRJC student.

“I live right off Humboldt Street, so it is easy for me to get to school, but when I want to bike to other areas of the city I am a little leery because Santa Rosa doesn’t always have bike lanes on busy streets,” Armstrong said.

The city of Santa Rosa is working to make cyclists feel safer to ride on most streets. The Santa Rosa City Council approved amendments to the city’s 2010 Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan on Feb. 15. The plan will introduce bike lanes to streets around the city, especially those with high traffic volumes.

The council’s next goal is to complete a report for a proposed bike and pedestrian overpass. This project will create a bridge over Highway 101 to connect the west side of SRJC campus to Cleveland Avenue, near the Coddingtown mall. The bridge would increase safety for students who currently have to take the underpasses at College Avenue or Steele Lane to reach campus.

Most students approved of the overpass, especially since it would meet up with bike lanes on the west side of town. But some students think that the money to research and build the project should be spent elsewhere.

“The city should probably invest their money in more bike lanes and bike paths to connect smaller neighborhoods where students will feel safer riding,” said Glenna Murray, a full-time SRJC student and avid cyclist.

Murray is disappointed that the Humboldt Street Bike Boulevard roundabouts are being removed. “Taking apart the boulevard will show that cars have more authority,” she said.

The Humboldt Street Bike Boulevard runs parallel to Mendocino Avenue and is meant to discourage cut-through motor vehicle traffic, giving more priority to bicyclists. It also connects to streets that have low traffic volumes, which helps cyclists access bike lanes on main streets such as College and Mendocino Avenue.

Also important for students is commuting safely from other cities, such as Sebastopol. However, there are no bike lanes that make it safe to access Sebastopol.

But Sebastopol is working to make bike-friendly streets. City council members on Feb. 1 re-examined their bicycle plan, which would put bike lanes on just about every major street. One of the lanes would connect close to the Joe Rodota Trail that runs from Sebastopol to Santa Rosa.

The council will reconvene in less than two months to make a final decision.

Bike lanes should be fluid throughout Santa Rosa, so it will be easier to connect to major bike trails such as the West County and Joe Rodota bike trails, said Jim Keene, owner of Nor Cal Bike Sport in Santa Rosa. The West County Trail runs from Forestville to Sebastopol and connects to the Joe Rodota Trail. Keene rides these on a regular basis.  He emphasized that sharing the road with cyclists is important and bike lanes need to be placed on roads with heavier traffic volumes so drivers get used to cyclists. 

Bike lanes are a good first step, but it will not solve the bike safety issue, said Ken Kolsbun, former executive director of Friends For Bikecology, an organization where he advocated for the use of alternative transportation.

Streets with bike lanes that have high traffic volumes, such as Mendocino Avenue, are not always safe for cyclists.

The Press Democrat reported that there were a total of 33 known motor vehicle collisions at major intersections on Mendocino Avenue in 2010.

Included are 12 motor vehicle collisions at the intersection of Mendocino Avenue and Silva Avenue. This intersection is located next to Campus Center, a popular spot where students get food between classes.

It is unclear how many of the crashes involved cyclists. However, most motor vehicle crashes that involve cyclists occur because cyclists are riding against traffic or on sidewalks, said Christine Culver, former executive director of The Sonoma County Bike Coalition.

“People ride against traffic because they think it’s safer, but it’s the most dangerous thing you can do on a bike,” Culver explained. “People in cars are not expecting something traveling that fast in the wrong direction; they are looking in front of them for other cars and bikes.”

To help prevent accidents, Kolsbun said there should be bike safety classes for people who ride bikes, and drivers should be better educated about bike laws. A reduction of speed limits for cars near bike lanes would also help.

For students who are scared or unsure of how to bike in high traffic areas Culver suggested using side streets, cutting through parking lots or getting off their bike and using a crosswalk.

One thing is for sure, cyclists and drivers need to be aware of each other on the road. Bike lanes improve safety for cyclists, but will not fully protect them from motor vehicles. It is important for both parties to know and understand the rules of the road.

Murray has this message for drivers: “When you see a bicyclist, chill out. They’re allowed to use the road, too. It’s the law you know. You have to share the road.”