"Taking it to the streets" Bikes Belong on Adams Avenue!
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Jim Baross
Mar 9, 2026, 7:09:09 PM (3 days ago) Mar 9
to Cabo Forum
To bicycling advocates lobbying for so-called “Protected Bike Lanes” on Adams Avenue in San Diego (BTW, the correct titles are Separated Bikeways, CycleTracks, or Class IV Bikeways).
There’s a better, quicker way to improve Adams Avenue for bicycling NOW than to push and wait for the City to install separated spaces in the future. You can do this!
Address your Motornormativity. You may be suffering from endemic car culture pushed onto you by Carspiracy. Link to debunk you/our cultural biases.
Bicyclists Have the Right to Use the Travel Lanes on Adams Avenue! Did you happen to know?
Let’s examine three persistent myths below — and accept the reality. Many people—both drivers and bicyclists—still believe outdated or incorrect ideas about where bicyclists are allowed to ride. These misconceptions pressure some riders to hug the gutter, ride in dangerous door zones, experience Right-Hook and Left-Cross conflicts, or feel guilty for delaying motorists.
The truth is simple: bicyclists are legitimate users of public roads. California Vehicle Code laws (CVC 21200 & 21202) allow bicyclists to ride in the lane on public roads, even when using the full lane, when necessary for safety. In many situations, that is the safest place to be.
Nationally recognized bicycling education programs, Smart Cycling & CyclingSavvy, teach cycling as a means of empowering transportation independence on public roads. “Bikes May Use A Full Lane” is lawful and a best practice when appropriate.
________________________________
Myth #1: “Bicyclists must stay as far to the right as possible.”
Reality: California law does not require bicyclists to ride at the extreme right edge of the roadway.
Under California Vehicle Code (CVC 21202), bicyclists may ride farther left or even in the middle of the lane whenever riding near the edge would be unsafe. The law specifically allows bicyclists to leave the farthest practicable position on the right side of the roadway when:
Avoiding hazards such as debris or potholes
Avoiding the door zone of parked vehicles
Passing another vehicle
Preparing for a left turn
When the lane is too narrow for a bicycle and a motor vehicle to share side-by-side safely
On Adams Avenue with parked cars, the safest position is well left, 4 to 5 feet, of the door zone, often near the center of the lane. A suddenly opened car door can seriously injure or kill a bicyclist. No rider should feel pressured to ride in that danger zone just to make it easier for motorists to pass.
________________________________
Myth #2: “Bicyclists shouldn’t delay car drivers.”
Reality: Public streets are shared transportation space—not exclusive corridors for motor vehicles.
All road users sometimes slow others down: Garbage trucks, Delivery vehicles, Farm equipment, School buses, and drivers waiting to turn. A bicyclist occupying a lane is simply another lawful user of the road (CVC 22400). Motor vehicle drivers overtaking bicyclists are to provide at least 3 feet of clearance under CVC 21760. When a lane is too narrow for safe passing, the correct action is simple: slow down and wait until it is safe to change lanes to pass. The law (CVC 21760) requires motorists who wish to pass a bicyclist to move into the next adjacent lane, if available. A momentary delay is a normal part of driving.
_______________________________
Myth #3: “Sharrows on Adams Avenue mean bicyclists should ride next to the curb.”
Reality: Sharrows usually mean the opposite.
Shared Lane Markings/Sharrows on Adams Avenue indicate that the safest riding position may be away from the curb or parked vehicles to avoid the door zone or because the lane is too narrow for safe side-by-side passing.
Sharrows and “Bikes May Use Full Lane” signs are reminders that bicyclists may legally ride in the travel lane and that motorists should slow and pass only when it is safe. Sharrows help prevent dangerous close passes and encourage others to change lanes when overtaking. Sharrows are often unfairly criticized for not providing protection, even though their function is to inform.
________________________________
Riding in the Lane, in the Way, Can Prevent Common Crashes
Trying to stay “out of the way” can actually make bicyclists less visible and more vulnerable to motorists’ mistakes. Two common crash types illustrate this:
Left Cross: A driver turning left conflicts with an approaching bicyclist riding straight.
Right Hook: A driver turns right and cuts off a bicyclist who is going straight.
These common crashes often occur when the bicyclist is riding far to the right, where drivers may not expect them, cannot easily see them, or misjudge the bicyclist’s speed. Riding in a more conspicuous roadway position, indicating the bicyclists’ intended direction, helps motorists see bicyclists as part of the traffic stream and reduces these conflicts for all of us.
_______________________________
Bicycling in the Lane Can Calm Traffic on Adams Avenue
When bicyclists ride visibly and lawfully in travel lanes—especially on Adams Avenue, where speed limits are 20–25 mph—it can help calm traffic. Drivers slow down, pass more carefully, and drive more attentively when they are aware of the need to share the road with bicyclists and pedestrians. Sharing is not a problem. It is a benefit to everyone except perhaps for the impatient driver. (Being honked at is upsetting, but it also means the driver sees you; a good thing.)
Slower traffic speeds: reduce crash severity, make streets safer for everyone, encourage walking and bicycling, and improve Normah Heights’ livability.
When streets feel safer, more people choose to bike and walk instead of driving.
________________________________
Why This Matters
Encouraging more people to use bicycles is not just about recreation. It is about: Safer streets, Healthier riders and communities, Reduced traffic congestion, and Lower greenhouse gas emissions.
Transportation is one of the largest contributors to climate pollution. Making everyday bicycling practical and safeis one way we in Normal Heights can reduce carbon emissions and help address climate change. But that only works if people who bicycle understand something important. More “Butts” on bikes is good. Fewer “A..holes” on bikes is good too.
________________________________
We should all ride responsibly—and with Confidence.
People bicycling should know how to ride predictably, obey traffic laws, and respect other road users. Good manners matter! A bicyclist riding lawfully in the lane on Adams Avenue is not obstructing traffic. They are simply exercising their legal right to travel. And usually, that positive visible presence does something valuable for everyone in the community: It reminds drivers that streets are shared spaces—not racetracks. Bicyclists have the right to travel safely on public streets. Exercising that right responsibly is not obstruction—it is lawful use of the roadway.
Please revisit those complaints about Adams Avenue having “no place to ride.”
________________________________
Myth #1: “Bicyclists must stay as far to the right as possible.”
Reality: California law does not require bicyclists to ride at the extreme right edge of the roadway.
Under California Vehicle Code (CVC 21202), bicyclists may ride farther left or even in the middle of the lane whenever riding near the edge would be unsafe. The law specifically allows bicyclists to leave the farthest practicable position on the right side of the roadway when:
Avoiding hazards such as debris or potholes
Avoiding the door zone of parked vehicles
Passing another vehicle
Preparing for a left turn
When the lane is too narrow for a bicycle and a motor vehicle to share side-by-side safely
On Adams Avenue with parked cars, the safest position is well left, 4 to 5 feet, of the door zone, often near the center of the lane. A suddenly opened car door can seriously injure or kill a bicyclist. No rider should feel pressured to ride in that danger zone just to make it easier for motorists to pass.
________________________________
Myth #2: “Bicyclists shouldn’t delay car drivers.”
Reality: Public streets are shared transportation space—not exclusive corridors for motor vehicles.
All road users sometimes slow others down: Garbage trucks, Delivery vehicles, Farm equipment, School buses, and drivers waiting to turn. A bicyclist occupying a lane is simply another lawful user of the road (CVC 22400). Motor vehicle drivers overtaking bicyclists are to provide at least 3 feet of clearance under CVC 21760. When a lane is too narrow for safe passing, the correct action is simple: slow down and wait until it is safe to change lanes to pass. The law (CVC 21760) requires motorists who wish to pass a bicyclist to move into the next adjacent lane, if available. A momentary delay is a normal part of driving.
_______________________________
Myth #3: “Sharrows on Adams Avenue mean bicyclists should ride next to the curb.”
Reality: Sharrows usually mean the opposite.
Shared Lane Markings/Sharrows on Adams Avenue indicate that the safest riding position may be away from the curb or parked vehicles to avoid the door zone or because the lane is too narrow for safe side-by-side passing.
Sharrows and “Bikes May Use Full Lane” signs are reminders that bicyclists may legally ride in the travel lane and that motorists should slow and pass only when it is safe. Sharrows help prevent dangerous close passes and encourage others to change lanes when overtaking. Sharrows are often unfairly criticized for not providing protection, even though their function is to inform.
________________________________
Riding in the Lane, in the Way, Can Prevent Common Crashes
Trying to stay “out of the way” can actually make bicyclists less visible and more vulnerable to motorists’ mistakes. Two common crash types illustrate this:
Left Cross: A driver turning left conflicts with an approaching bicyclist riding straight.
Right Hook: A driver turns right and cuts off a bicyclist who is going straight.
These common crashes often occur when the bicyclist is riding far to the right, where drivers may not expect them, cannot easily see them, or misjudge the bicyclist’s speed. Riding in a more conspicuous roadway position, indicating the bicyclists’ intended direction, helps motorists see bicyclists as part of the traffic stream and reduces these conflicts for all of us.
_______________________________
Bicycling in the Lane Can Calm Traffic on Adams Avenue
When bicyclists ride visibly and lawfully in travel lanes—especially on Adams Avenue, where speed limits are 20–25 mph—it can help calm traffic. Drivers slow down, pass more carefully, and drive more attentively when they are aware of the need to share the road with bicyclists and pedestrians. Sharing is not a problem. It is a benefit to everyone except perhaps for the impatient driver. (Being honked at is upsetting, but it also means the driver sees you; a good thing.)
Slower traffic speeds: reduce crash severity, make streets safer for everyone, encourage walking and bicycling, and improve Normah Heights’ livability.
When streets feel safer, more people choose to bike and walk instead of driving.
________________________________
Why This Matters
Encouraging more people to use bicycles is not just about recreation. It is about: Safer streets, Healthier riders and communities, Reduced traffic congestion, and Lower greenhouse gas emissions.
Transportation is one of the largest contributors to climate pollution. Making everyday bicycling practical and safeis one way we in Normal Heights can reduce carbon emissions and help address climate change. But that only works if people who bicycle understand something important. More “Butts” on bikes is good. Fewer “A..holes” on bikes is good too.
________________________________
We should all ride responsibly—and with Confidence.
People bicycling should know how to ride predictably, obey traffic laws, and respect other road users. Good manners matter! A bicyclist riding lawfully in the lane on Adams Avenue is not obstructing traffic. They are simply exercising their legal right to travel. And usually, that positive visible presence does something valuable for everyone in the community: It reminds drivers that streets are shared spaces—not racetracks. Bicyclists have the right to travel safely on public streets. Exercising that right responsibly is not obstruction—it is lawful use of the roadway.
Please revisit those complaints about Adams Avenue having “no place to ride.”
“These roads are our roads...” Use them!
Help make Adams Avenue a Bicycle Boulevard by bicycling as though you belong, because you do!
esident
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