Council to Examine Reconfiguring Fifth Street

Perhaps one of the benefits of the city council campaign is that issues arise about safety concerns. Fifth Street has between B and L has been a problem for some time. The council originally tried to mitigate this problem with the light signals on F and G with dedicated left turn signals.

That solution has alleviated some of the problems. On the other hand, it has also according to neighbors forced some of the traffic onto Eighth Street which lacks the flow capacity of Fifth Street. Furthermore, because the lights are not triggered, during off-peak hours, one may be waiting for a minute with no other traffic for the light to change.

The larger problem is with the streets that do not have traffic signals.

First, the traffic moves too fast through the four lane road. Some have likened it to an urban highway. As a result, there are two significant hazards. One is that cars that want to make a left turn off of Fifth block traffic because there are no dedicated turn lanes. The other is that cars turning onto Fifth, particularly making left turns, take unnecessary risks.

A further problem is the lack of bike lanes between B and L, putting bicyclists directly on the street with vehicles.

Overall there was a one week time period where I saw no fewer than four major accidents on Fifth Street. To make matters worse, a vehicle one Saturday turned from Fifth onto C Street by Central Park during Farmer’s Market. The vehicle was traveling at least 30 to 35 mph as it entered onto the much slower trafficked street. The driver then swerved to avoid a pedestrian, hit the gas instead of the break, and ended up crashing into four parked cars. Our car was the fourth, and the only vehicle involved in the accident not totaled. Luckily not a single person was injured, but it was close.

There is also another hazard in close proximity and that is the corner of D and Fourth Street. The problem there is that inexplicably it is a two-way rather than a four-way stop. First of all, that causes confusion for drivers, and you often see people on Fourth Street (who do not have a stop sign) stop and people on D Street (who do have a stop sign) assume that those on Fourth Street have to stop. Further complicating that is the lack of visibility onto Fourth Street due to cars parking diagonally to the curb. That means you have to creep out into traffic in order to see if traffic is coming. All of this could be alleviated with a four way stop, but for some reason the city has been slow to act on that. That intersection is an accident waiting to happen.

The easiest way to alleviate the problems on Fifth Street would be to turn it from a four lane street into a three lane street with dedicated bike lanes on both sides. You then produce a dedicated turn lane for both directions and a “suicide lane” that would allow cars to make a left turn onto Fifth Street and into a center lane before merging into traffic. That is probably the solution I would favor at this point, although it would likely lead to some sort of a log jam entering from L and from B Street.

There are other configurations that would likely be worth looking into, including more four way stops or traffic lights between B and F and G and L. But I think re-striping would be simplest and would still keep the flow going while making turns much safer.

I will not pretend to have all of the answers, so if others have good suggestions post them below.

—Doug Paul Davis reporting

Author

  • David Greenwald

    Greenwald is the founder, editor, and executive director of the Davis Vanguard. He founded the Vanguard in 2006. David Greenwald moved to Davis in 1996 to attend Graduate School at UC Davis in Political Science. He lives in South Davis with his wife Cecilia Escamilla Greenwald and three children.

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Land Use/Open Space

108 comments

  1. “…a “suicide lane” that would allow cars to make a left turn onto Fifth Street and into a center lane before merging into traffic.”

    Crazy! The situation on Fifth is fine as is, without adding encouragement to kill yourself.
    Encouraging more oblivious bikers on Fifth is only asking for trouble. Leave it alone!

  2. “…a “suicide lane” that would allow cars to make a left turn onto Fifth Street and into a center lane before merging into traffic.”

    Crazy! The situation on Fifth is fine as is, without adding encouragement to kill yourself.
    Encouraging more oblivious bikers on Fifth is only asking for trouble. Leave it alone!

  3. “…a “suicide lane” that would allow cars to make a left turn onto Fifth Street and into a center lane before merging into traffic.”

    Crazy! The situation on Fifth is fine as is, without adding encouragement to kill yourself.
    Encouraging more oblivious bikers on Fifth is only asking for trouble. Leave it alone!

  4. “…a “suicide lane” that would allow cars to make a left turn onto Fifth Street and into a center lane before merging into traffic.”

    Crazy! The situation on Fifth is fine as is, without adding encouragement to kill yourself.
    Encouraging more oblivious bikers on Fifth is only asking for trouble. Leave it alone!

  5. I’m a bicycle-o-maniac but I don’t favor changing 5th street to encourage cycling there. I can’t see how the existing car traffic could get through in two lanes – it’d create snarlups at B and L and bad-tempered driving between.

    The city visited this issue before and it seems clear there’s no way to *widen* 5th street without chopping down a large number of mature trees – unacceptable.

    Instead, better signage could direct cross-town cyclists to 3rd or 8th street, either of which is a much better route. I wouldn’t bike on that stretch of 5th street if you paid me!

  6. I’m a bicycle-o-maniac but I don’t favor changing 5th street to encourage cycling there. I can’t see how the existing car traffic could get through in two lanes – it’d create snarlups at B and L and bad-tempered driving between.

    The city visited this issue before and it seems clear there’s no way to *widen* 5th street without chopping down a large number of mature trees – unacceptable.

    Instead, better signage could direct cross-town cyclists to 3rd or 8th street, either of which is a much better route. I wouldn’t bike on that stretch of 5th street if you paid me!

  7. I’m a bicycle-o-maniac but I don’t favor changing 5th street to encourage cycling there. I can’t see how the existing car traffic could get through in two lanes – it’d create snarlups at B and L and bad-tempered driving between.

    The city visited this issue before and it seems clear there’s no way to *widen* 5th street without chopping down a large number of mature trees – unacceptable.

    Instead, better signage could direct cross-town cyclists to 3rd or 8th street, either of which is a much better route. I wouldn’t bike on that stretch of 5th street if you paid me!

  8. I’m a bicycle-o-maniac but I don’t favor changing 5th street to encourage cycling there. I can’t see how the existing car traffic could get through in two lanes – it’d create snarlups at B and L and bad-tempered driving between.

    The city visited this issue before and it seems clear there’s no way to *widen* 5th street without chopping down a large number of mature trees – unacceptable.

    Instead, better signage could direct cross-town cyclists to 3rd or 8th street, either of which is a much better route. I wouldn’t bike on that stretch of 5th street if you paid me!

  9. “The situation on Fifth is fine as is”

    The situation is actually not fine as is. In fact, it is incredibly dangerous and the city will be looking into making changes.

  10. “The situation on Fifth is fine as is”

    The situation is actually not fine as is. In fact, it is incredibly dangerous and the city will be looking into making changes.

  11. “The situation on Fifth is fine as is”

    The situation is actually not fine as is. In fact, it is incredibly dangerous and the city will be looking into making changes.

  12. “The situation on Fifth is fine as is”

    The situation is actually not fine as is. In fact, it is incredibly dangerous and the city will be looking into making changes.

  13. What about turning one of the sidewalks into a dedicated bike path? Pedestrians could walk on one side of the street, and bicyclists on the other. I agree that the bikes shouldn’t be on that section of the street…way too dangerous.

  14. What about turning one of the sidewalks into a dedicated bike path? Pedestrians could walk on one side of the street, and bicyclists on the other. I agree that the bikes shouldn’t be on that section of the street…way too dangerous.

  15. What about turning one of the sidewalks into a dedicated bike path? Pedestrians could walk on one side of the street, and bicyclists on the other. I agree that the bikes shouldn’t be on that section of the street…way too dangerous.

  16. What about turning one of the sidewalks into a dedicated bike path? Pedestrians could walk on one side of the street, and bicyclists on the other. I agree that the bikes shouldn’t be on that section of the street…way too dangerous.

  17. I agree with the 8:44am anonymous person who talked about taking one of the sidewalks and dedicating it (primarily) to bikes. The situation in those blocks really is ridiculous.

    My personal opinion of the single worst intersection in Davis is second and B streets. A perfect maelstrom of pedestrians, bikes and cars all swerving around each other without any controls…

  18. I agree with the 8:44am anonymous person who talked about taking one of the sidewalks and dedicating it (primarily) to bikes. The situation in those blocks really is ridiculous.

    My personal opinion of the single worst intersection in Davis is second and B streets. A perfect maelstrom of pedestrians, bikes and cars all swerving around each other without any controls…

  19. I agree with the 8:44am anonymous person who talked about taking one of the sidewalks and dedicating it (primarily) to bikes. The situation in those blocks really is ridiculous.

    My personal opinion of the single worst intersection in Davis is second and B streets. A perfect maelstrom of pedestrians, bikes and cars all swerving around each other without any controls…

  20. I agree with the 8:44am anonymous person who talked about taking one of the sidewalks and dedicating it (primarily) to bikes. The situation in those blocks really is ridiculous.

    My personal opinion of the single worst intersection in Davis is second and B streets. A perfect maelstrom of pedestrians, bikes and cars all swerving around each other without any controls…

  21. Fifth St is one of the worst traffic problems in Davis, and has been for years. The new protected left turns have helped a great deal and cut down on the rate of traffic accidents. However, it is still problematic. From my perspective, the two major problems are 1) no bicycle lane; 2) left turns from lettered streets onto Russell that don’t have a traffic light.

    IMHO, bicyclists should not be allowed on Russell Blvd period. I had an incident the other day, where a bicylist refused to use the bike path in front of the University frat houses. The jerk held up traffic during afternoon rush hour with impunity. As we were finally able to get an opening and pass him by moving into the left hand lane, as a passenger I yelled to him to use the designated bike path. He yelled back he didn’t have to, he was allowed to use the street. I answered by noting if he got hit, it was his fault. He was signaling cars to pass him in his lane, when there wasn’t enough room. He may have the legal right to use the road at the moment, but talk about STUPID!!! I see this problem often.

    Avid bicyclists have dedicated paths to use, but choose to use the streets instead, as if they are on a power trip. Yet if a car clips them, they will be the first ones to sue, or complain about car traffic that doesn’t take into account bicyclists. I can’t tell you how many times I have seen bicyclists traveling on the wrong side of the road, not obeying traffic signs, and acting like they own the road. Then they are appalled when one of them gets killed!!! The other day I had a bicyclist (teenager) traveling down the middle of the right lane of Russell Blvd between B St. and F St. COMING DIRECTLY TOWARD ME!!! I had to come to a dead stop, hope no one rear-ended me, and wait for this stupid kid to decide what the heck he was doing.

    Left turns from any of the lettered streets onto Russell is a nightmare, especially at rush hour, if there is not traffic light. Here would be my potential solutions:

    1) Every intersection on downtown Russell Blvd (between A and G Streets) should have a traffic light with protected lefts.
    2) All streets in the downtown area should have four way stops.
    3) Bicyclists should have to use bike paths when available.
    4) Bicyclists should not be allowed on any of Russell Blvd period. Let them use the bike paths provided, and take a detour route between A and G Streets. Keeping bikes off the downtown stretch of Russell would help the traffic pattern.

    Another rather radical notion is having Russell one way in one direction, and Covell one way in the other direction. I’m not sure if that wouldn’t cause more problems than help, but it is what a lot of cities do to calm traffic problems. When football season starts, it may be an idea whose time is coming. Not sure about this one.

    I also think it was very sad that buildings were allowed to construct so close to the street, instead of having setbacks to allow for Russell to be widened. But essentially that door has been closed. Another example of poor planning. No question, Russell is a mess, and is only going to get worse. If lights are at every intersection downtown on Russell, if they are timed right, perhaps it will improve the flow of traffic.

  22. Fifth St is one of the worst traffic problems in Davis, and has been for years. The new protected left turns have helped a great deal and cut down on the rate of traffic accidents. However, it is still problematic. From my perspective, the two major problems are 1) no bicycle lane; 2) left turns from lettered streets onto Russell that don’t have a traffic light.

    IMHO, bicyclists should not be allowed on Russell Blvd period. I had an incident the other day, where a bicylist refused to use the bike path in front of the University frat houses. The jerk held up traffic during afternoon rush hour with impunity. As we were finally able to get an opening and pass him by moving into the left hand lane, as a passenger I yelled to him to use the designated bike path. He yelled back he didn’t have to, he was allowed to use the street. I answered by noting if he got hit, it was his fault. He was signaling cars to pass him in his lane, when there wasn’t enough room. He may have the legal right to use the road at the moment, but talk about STUPID!!! I see this problem often.

    Avid bicyclists have dedicated paths to use, but choose to use the streets instead, as if they are on a power trip. Yet if a car clips them, they will be the first ones to sue, or complain about car traffic that doesn’t take into account bicyclists. I can’t tell you how many times I have seen bicyclists traveling on the wrong side of the road, not obeying traffic signs, and acting like they own the road. Then they are appalled when one of them gets killed!!! The other day I had a bicyclist (teenager) traveling down the middle of the right lane of Russell Blvd between B St. and F St. COMING DIRECTLY TOWARD ME!!! I had to come to a dead stop, hope no one rear-ended me, and wait for this stupid kid to decide what the heck he was doing.

    Left turns from any of the lettered streets onto Russell is a nightmare, especially at rush hour, if there is not traffic light. Here would be my potential solutions:

    1) Every intersection on downtown Russell Blvd (between A and G Streets) should have a traffic light with protected lefts.
    2) All streets in the downtown area should have four way stops.
    3) Bicyclists should have to use bike paths when available.
    4) Bicyclists should not be allowed on any of Russell Blvd period. Let them use the bike paths provided, and take a detour route between A and G Streets. Keeping bikes off the downtown stretch of Russell would help the traffic pattern.

    Another rather radical notion is having Russell one way in one direction, and Covell one way in the other direction. I’m not sure if that wouldn’t cause more problems than help, but it is what a lot of cities do to calm traffic problems. When football season starts, it may be an idea whose time is coming. Not sure about this one.

    I also think it was very sad that buildings were allowed to construct so close to the street, instead of having setbacks to allow for Russell to be widened. But essentially that door has been closed. Another example of poor planning. No question, Russell is a mess, and is only going to get worse. If lights are at every intersection downtown on Russell, if they are timed right, perhaps it will improve the flow of traffic.

  23. Fifth St is one of the worst traffic problems in Davis, and has been for years. The new protected left turns have helped a great deal and cut down on the rate of traffic accidents. However, it is still problematic. From my perspective, the two major problems are 1) no bicycle lane; 2) left turns from lettered streets onto Russell that don’t have a traffic light.

    IMHO, bicyclists should not be allowed on Russell Blvd period. I had an incident the other day, where a bicylist refused to use the bike path in front of the University frat houses. The jerk held up traffic during afternoon rush hour with impunity. As we were finally able to get an opening and pass him by moving into the left hand lane, as a passenger I yelled to him to use the designated bike path. He yelled back he didn’t have to, he was allowed to use the street. I answered by noting if he got hit, it was his fault. He was signaling cars to pass him in his lane, when there wasn’t enough room. He may have the legal right to use the road at the moment, but talk about STUPID!!! I see this problem often.

    Avid bicyclists have dedicated paths to use, but choose to use the streets instead, as if they are on a power trip. Yet if a car clips them, they will be the first ones to sue, or complain about car traffic that doesn’t take into account bicyclists. I can’t tell you how many times I have seen bicyclists traveling on the wrong side of the road, not obeying traffic signs, and acting like they own the road. Then they are appalled when one of them gets killed!!! The other day I had a bicyclist (teenager) traveling down the middle of the right lane of Russell Blvd between B St. and F St. COMING DIRECTLY TOWARD ME!!! I had to come to a dead stop, hope no one rear-ended me, and wait for this stupid kid to decide what the heck he was doing.

    Left turns from any of the lettered streets onto Russell is a nightmare, especially at rush hour, if there is not traffic light. Here would be my potential solutions:

    1) Every intersection on downtown Russell Blvd (between A and G Streets) should have a traffic light with protected lefts.
    2) All streets in the downtown area should have four way stops.
    3) Bicyclists should have to use bike paths when available.
    4) Bicyclists should not be allowed on any of Russell Blvd period. Let them use the bike paths provided, and take a detour route between A and G Streets. Keeping bikes off the downtown stretch of Russell would help the traffic pattern.

    Another rather radical notion is having Russell one way in one direction, and Covell one way in the other direction. I’m not sure if that wouldn’t cause more problems than help, but it is what a lot of cities do to calm traffic problems. When football season starts, it may be an idea whose time is coming. Not sure about this one.

    I also think it was very sad that buildings were allowed to construct so close to the street, instead of having setbacks to allow for Russell to be widened. But essentially that door has been closed. Another example of poor planning. No question, Russell is a mess, and is only going to get worse. If lights are at every intersection downtown on Russell, if they are timed right, perhaps it will improve the flow of traffic.

  24. Fifth St is one of the worst traffic problems in Davis, and has been for years. The new protected left turns have helped a great deal and cut down on the rate of traffic accidents. However, it is still problematic. From my perspective, the two major problems are 1) no bicycle lane; 2) left turns from lettered streets onto Russell that don’t have a traffic light.

    IMHO, bicyclists should not be allowed on Russell Blvd period. I had an incident the other day, where a bicylist refused to use the bike path in front of the University frat houses. The jerk held up traffic during afternoon rush hour with impunity. As we were finally able to get an opening and pass him by moving into the left hand lane, as a passenger I yelled to him to use the designated bike path. He yelled back he didn’t have to, he was allowed to use the street. I answered by noting if he got hit, it was his fault. He was signaling cars to pass him in his lane, when there wasn’t enough room. He may have the legal right to use the road at the moment, but talk about STUPID!!! I see this problem often.

    Avid bicyclists have dedicated paths to use, but choose to use the streets instead, as if they are on a power trip. Yet if a car clips them, they will be the first ones to sue, or complain about car traffic that doesn’t take into account bicyclists. I can’t tell you how many times I have seen bicyclists traveling on the wrong side of the road, not obeying traffic signs, and acting like they own the road. Then they are appalled when one of them gets killed!!! The other day I had a bicyclist (teenager) traveling down the middle of the right lane of Russell Blvd between B St. and F St. COMING DIRECTLY TOWARD ME!!! I had to come to a dead stop, hope no one rear-ended me, and wait for this stupid kid to decide what the heck he was doing.

    Left turns from any of the lettered streets onto Russell is a nightmare, especially at rush hour, if there is not traffic light. Here would be my potential solutions:

    1) Every intersection on downtown Russell Blvd (between A and G Streets) should have a traffic light with protected lefts.
    2) All streets in the downtown area should have four way stops.
    3) Bicyclists should have to use bike paths when available.
    4) Bicyclists should not be allowed on any of Russell Blvd period. Let them use the bike paths provided, and take a detour route between A and G Streets. Keeping bikes off the downtown stretch of Russell would help the traffic pattern.

    Another rather radical notion is having Russell one way in one direction, and Covell one way in the other direction. I’m not sure if that wouldn’t cause more problems than help, but it is what a lot of cities do to calm traffic problems. When football season starts, it may be an idea whose time is coming. Not sure about this one.

    I also think it was very sad that buildings were allowed to construct so close to the street, instead of having setbacks to allow for Russell to be widened. But essentially that door has been closed. Another example of poor planning. No question, Russell is a mess, and is only going to get worse. If lights are at every intersection downtown on Russell, if they are timed right, perhaps it will improve the flow of traffic.

  25. Old North Davis residents will present this information to the city council tonight. Please consider these facts and figures (taken from City of Davis Police Accident Data) about Fifth Street when forming your opinions:

    1. The split-phase signal timing introduced at the F and G Street intersections in February of 2005 did reduce the frequency of dangerous side impact collisions at those intersections.

    2. Some accidents still happen at the F and G Street intersections, and accidents elsewhere on the corridor have GONE UP as drivers make risky turns to avoid delays at the signals.

    3. In the 22 months immediately following the split-phase changes to the signals on 5th Street at F and G Streets, 11 pedestrians and bicyclists were hit by vehicles between A and L Streets.

    4. To date in 2008, 10% OF ALL TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS IN THE ENTIRE CITY OF DAVIS have been on 5th STreet between A Street and L Street.

    5. Bicyclists continue to ride everywhere possible on the Fifth Street corridor–in the gutters, in the vehicle lanes, and in both directions on the arrow sidewalks.

    6. The changes to the traffic signals at F and G Streets impose 30 seconds of delay on every driver through those intersections, resulting in significant redirection of impatient drivers through the adjacent neighborhoods.

    7. When the signal timing was changed at F and G Streets, traffic volumes on 8th Street JUMPED OVER 20%.

    8. The traffic model conducted in 2005 showed a round trip on Fifth Street from A Street to L STreet and back would be 45 seconds faster with the two-lane and left turn lane alternative design, a situation unlikely to result in spillover traffic through Neighborhoods and onto parallel streets.

    9. A pedestrian is four times more likely to die if hit by a car at the average vehicle speed on 5th Street, 35 MILES AN HOUR, than at 25 miles an hour, which is the target speed for the redesign.

    10. In other communities where the alternative design has been used to reconfigure a problem street, spillover traffic has been minimal, through vehicle volumes were not greatly affected, vehicle accidents have been reduced, pedestrian and bicycle safety has improved, and in many cases business and development activity has increased.

  26. Old North Davis residents will present this information to the city council tonight. Please consider these facts and figures (taken from City of Davis Police Accident Data) about Fifth Street when forming your opinions:

    1. The split-phase signal timing introduced at the F and G Street intersections in February of 2005 did reduce the frequency of dangerous side impact collisions at those intersections.

    2. Some accidents still happen at the F and G Street intersections, and accidents elsewhere on the corridor have GONE UP as drivers make risky turns to avoid delays at the signals.

    3. In the 22 months immediately following the split-phase changes to the signals on 5th Street at F and G Streets, 11 pedestrians and bicyclists were hit by vehicles between A and L Streets.

    4. To date in 2008, 10% OF ALL TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS IN THE ENTIRE CITY OF DAVIS have been on 5th STreet between A Street and L Street.

    5. Bicyclists continue to ride everywhere possible on the Fifth Street corridor–in the gutters, in the vehicle lanes, and in both directions on the arrow sidewalks.

    6. The changes to the traffic signals at F and G Streets impose 30 seconds of delay on every driver through those intersections, resulting in significant redirection of impatient drivers through the adjacent neighborhoods.

    7. When the signal timing was changed at F and G Streets, traffic volumes on 8th Street JUMPED OVER 20%.

    8. The traffic model conducted in 2005 showed a round trip on Fifth Street from A Street to L STreet and back would be 45 seconds faster with the two-lane and left turn lane alternative design, a situation unlikely to result in spillover traffic through Neighborhoods and onto parallel streets.

    9. A pedestrian is four times more likely to die if hit by a car at the average vehicle speed on 5th Street, 35 MILES AN HOUR, than at 25 miles an hour, which is the target speed for the redesign.

    10. In other communities where the alternative design has been used to reconfigure a problem street, spillover traffic has been minimal, through vehicle volumes were not greatly affected, vehicle accidents have been reduced, pedestrian and bicycle safety has improved, and in many cases business and development activity has increased.

  27. Old North Davis residents will present this information to the city council tonight. Please consider these facts and figures (taken from City of Davis Police Accident Data) about Fifth Street when forming your opinions:

    1. The split-phase signal timing introduced at the F and G Street intersections in February of 2005 did reduce the frequency of dangerous side impact collisions at those intersections.

    2. Some accidents still happen at the F and G Street intersections, and accidents elsewhere on the corridor have GONE UP as drivers make risky turns to avoid delays at the signals.

    3. In the 22 months immediately following the split-phase changes to the signals on 5th Street at F and G Streets, 11 pedestrians and bicyclists were hit by vehicles between A and L Streets.

    4. To date in 2008, 10% OF ALL TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS IN THE ENTIRE CITY OF DAVIS have been on 5th STreet between A Street and L Street.

    5. Bicyclists continue to ride everywhere possible on the Fifth Street corridor–in the gutters, in the vehicle lanes, and in both directions on the arrow sidewalks.

    6. The changes to the traffic signals at F and G Streets impose 30 seconds of delay on every driver through those intersections, resulting in significant redirection of impatient drivers through the adjacent neighborhoods.

    7. When the signal timing was changed at F and G Streets, traffic volumes on 8th Street JUMPED OVER 20%.

    8. The traffic model conducted in 2005 showed a round trip on Fifth Street from A Street to L STreet and back would be 45 seconds faster with the two-lane and left turn lane alternative design, a situation unlikely to result in spillover traffic through Neighborhoods and onto parallel streets.

    9. A pedestrian is four times more likely to die if hit by a car at the average vehicle speed on 5th Street, 35 MILES AN HOUR, than at 25 miles an hour, which is the target speed for the redesign.

    10. In other communities where the alternative design has been used to reconfigure a problem street, spillover traffic has been minimal, through vehicle volumes were not greatly affected, vehicle accidents have been reduced, pedestrian and bicycle safety has improved, and in many cases business and development activity has increased.

  28. Old North Davis residents will present this information to the city council tonight. Please consider these facts and figures (taken from City of Davis Police Accident Data) about Fifth Street when forming your opinions:

    1. The split-phase signal timing introduced at the F and G Street intersections in February of 2005 did reduce the frequency of dangerous side impact collisions at those intersections.

    2. Some accidents still happen at the F and G Street intersections, and accidents elsewhere on the corridor have GONE UP as drivers make risky turns to avoid delays at the signals.

    3. In the 22 months immediately following the split-phase changes to the signals on 5th Street at F and G Streets, 11 pedestrians and bicyclists were hit by vehicles between A and L Streets.

    4. To date in 2008, 10% OF ALL TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS IN THE ENTIRE CITY OF DAVIS have been on 5th STreet between A Street and L Street.

    5. Bicyclists continue to ride everywhere possible on the Fifth Street corridor–in the gutters, in the vehicle lanes, and in both directions on the arrow sidewalks.

    6. The changes to the traffic signals at F and G Streets impose 30 seconds of delay on every driver through those intersections, resulting in significant redirection of impatient drivers through the adjacent neighborhoods.

    7. When the signal timing was changed at F and G Streets, traffic volumes on 8th Street JUMPED OVER 20%.

    8. The traffic model conducted in 2005 showed a round trip on Fifth Street from A Street to L STreet and back would be 45 seconds faster with the two-lane and left turn lane alternative design, a situation unlikely to result in spillover traffic through Neighborhoods and onto parallel streets.

    9. A pedestrian is four times more likely to die if hit by a car at the average vehicle speed on 5th Street, 35 MILES AN HOUR, than at 25 miles an hour, which is the target speed for the redesign.

    10. In other communities where the alternative design has been used to reconfigure a problem street, spillover traffic has been minimal, through vehicle volumes were not greatly affected, vehicle accidents have been reduced, pedestrian and bicycle safety has improved, and in many cases business and development activity has increased.

  29. My “favorite” accident observed at D & 5th was a Fedex truck running into a huge Unitrans bus.

    The street is already reduced to one lane in each direction every Saturday and DPD notes that there are still accidents due to speeding and reckless driving.

    The street was changed from a quiet little street similar to 4th and 6th to a 4 lane street to allow delivery trucks to get to the other side of downtown, per Donna Lott who proudly explained her thinking when she and others decided on this design way back when. There was little or no housing to the East of the railroad tracks, so the street then narrowed to a two lane street on the other side of the downtown.

    There is no reason that 5th street can’t be designed the same as F Street, B Street, & 8th Street and have bike lanes, turnouts for left turns to keep traffic flowing smoothly including faster lights at F Street and G Street. It has been modeled and found that this design would make trips through this area faster and safer.

  30. My “favorite” accident observed at D & 5th was a Fedex truck running into a huge Unitrans bus.

    The street is already reduced to one lane in each direction every Saturday and DPD notes that there are still accidents due to speeding and reckless driving.

    The street was changed from a quiet little street similar to 4th and 6th to a 4 lane street to allow delivery trucks to get to the other side of downtown, per Donna Lott who proudly explained her thinking when she and others decided on this design way back when. There was little or no housing to the East of the railroad tracks, so the street then narrowed to a two lane street on the other side of the downtown.

    There is no reason that 5th street can’t be designed the same as F Street, B Street, & 8th Street and have bike lanes, turnouts for left turns to keep traffic flowing smoothly including faster lights at F Street and G Street. It has been modeled and found that this design would make trips through this area faster and safer.

  31. My “favorite” accident observed at D & 5th was a Fedex truck running into a huge Unitrans bus.

    The street is already reduced to one lane in each direction every Saturday and DPD notes that there are still accidents due to speeding and reckless driving.

    The street was changed from a quiet little street similar to 4th and 6th to a 4 lane street to allow delivery trucks to get to the other side of downtown, per Donna Lott who proudly explained her thinking when she and others decided on this design way back when. There was little or no housing to the East of the railroad tracks, so the street then narrowed to a two lane street on the other side of the downtown.

    There is no reason that 5th street can’t be designed the same as F Street, B Street, & 8th Street and have bike lanes, turnouts for left turns to keep traffic flowing smoothly including faster lights at F Street and G Street. It has been modeled and found that this design would make trips through this area faster and safer.

  32. My “favorite” accident observed at D & 5th was a Fedex truck running into a huge Unitrans bus.

    The street is already reduced to one lane in each direction every Saturday and DPD notes that there are still accidents due to speeding and reckless driving.

    The street was changed from a quiet little street similar to 4th and 6th to a 4 lane street to allow delivery trucks to get to the other side of downtown, per Donna Lott who proudly explained her thinking when she and others decided on this design way back when. There was little or no housing to the East of the railroad tracks, so the street then narrowed to a two lane street on the other side of the downtown.

    There is no reason that 5th street can’t be designed the same as F Street, B Street, & 8th Street and have bike lanes, turnouts for left turns to keep traffic flowing smoothly including faster lights at F Street and G Street. It has been modeled and found that this design would make trips through this area faster and safer.

  33. Better to kill a cyclist than to chop down a few mature trees?

    Fifth Street needs improvement and traffic needs to slow down. Bike lanes added for a few blocks would be great!

    Let’s see the new council make this happen. I bet they don’t

  34. Better to kill a cyclist than to chop down a few mature trees?

    Fifth Street needs improvement and traffic needs to slow down. Bike lanes added for a few blocks would be great!

    Let’s see the new council make this happen. I bet they don’t

  35. Better to kill a cyclist than to chop down a few mature trees?

    Fifth Street needs improvement and traffic needs to slow down. Bike lanes added for a few blocks would be great!

    Let’s see the new council make this happen. I bet they don’t

  36. Better to kill a cyclist than to chop down a few mature trees?

    Fifth Street needs improvement and traffic needs to slow down. Bike lanes added for a few blocks would be great!

    Let’s see the new council make this happen. I bet they don’t

  37. The blogger at 3:12 PM makes a good point.

    “There is no reason that 5th street can’t be designed the same as F Street, B Street, & 8th Street and have bike lanes, turnouts for left turns to keep traffic flowing smoothly including faster lights at F Street and G Street. It has been modeled and found that this design would make trips through this area faster and safer.”

    I saw that accident at farmer’s market DPD and it was not a pretty sight. I didn’t realize that you were involved in that accident.

    I can’t belive that this council hasn’t done anything yet to fix the streets. I bet they pander to certain intersts that don’t want to see the reconfiguration of the streets changed.

    In the last two months alone there have been three accidents that I have seen either happen, or after the fact.

    I’m watching the council meeting from home tonight to see how they handle this issue. It’s time to start holding them accountable for the lack of safety.

    Didn’t one council candidate tout “green, smart and safe?”

    We’ll see what “safe” really means to him.

  38. The blogger at 3:12 PM makes a good point.

    “There is no reason that 5th street can’t be designed the same as F Street, B Street, & 8th Street and have bike lanes, turnouts for left turns to keep traffic flowing smoothly including faster lights at F Street and G Street. It has been modeled and found that this design would make trips through this area faster and safer.”

    I saw that accident at farmer’s market DPD and it was not a pretty sight. I didn’t realize that you were involved in that accident.

    I can’t belive that this council hasn’t done anything yet to fix the streets. I bet they pander to certain intersts that don’t want to see the reconfiguration of the streets changed.

    In the last two months alone there have been three accidents that I have seen either happen, or after the fact.

    I’m watching the council meeting from home tonight to see how they handle this issue. It’s time to start holding them accountable for the lack of safety.

    Didn’t one council candidate tout “green, smart and safe?”

    We’ll see what “safe” really means to him.

  39. The blogger at 3:12 PM makes a good point.

    “There is no reason that 5th street can’t be designed the same as F Street, B Street, & 8th Street and have bike lanes, turnouts for left turns to keep traffic flowing smoothly including faster lights at F Street and G Street. It has been modeled and found that this design would make trips through this area faster and safer.”

    I saw that accident at farmer’s market DPD and it was not a pretty sight. I didn’t realize that you were involved in that accident.

    I can’t belive that this council hasn’t done anything yet to fix the streets. I bet they pander to certain intersts that don’t want to see the reconfiguration of the streets changed.

    In the last two months alone there have been three accidents that I have seen either happen, or after the fact.

    I’m watching the council meeting from home tonight to see how they handle this issue. It’s time to start holding them accountable for the lack of safety.

    Didn’t one council candidate tout “green, smart and safe?”

    We’ll see what “safe” really means to him.

  40. The blogger at 3:12 PM makes a good point.

    “There is no reason that 5th street can’t be designed the same as F Street, B Street, & 8th Street and have bike lanes, turnouts for left turns to keep traffic flowing smoothly including faster lights at F Street and G Street. It has been modeled and found that this design would make trips through this area faster and safer.”

    I saw that accident at farmer’s market DPD and it was not a pretty sight. I didn’t realize that you were involved in that accident.

    I can’t belive that this council hasn’t done anything yet to fix the streets. I bet they pander to certain intersts that don’t want to see the reconfiguration of the streets changed.

    In the last two months alone there have been three accidents that I have seen either happen, or after the fact.

    I’m watching the council meeting from home tonight to see how they handle this issue. It’s time to start holding them accountable for the lack of safety.

    Didn’t one council candidate tout “green, smart and safe?”

    We’ll see what “safe” really means to him.

  41. what irritates me is that bicyclists are unwilling to use the very nice bike lane setup on 8th and 3rd, and pedestrians from old north davis can’t be bothered to walk a couple blocks to a light with a crosswalk, and everyone’s solution is to squeeze off the only arterial road south of covell to accommodate them.

    parking a bike cop on 5th to ticket people refusing to obey a system that’s been set for decades might be a better use of money than setting up a bunch of traffic jams.

    i bike all over the city, and know better than to ride on streets without bike lanes. more aggressive ticketing and more outreach to students in the first month of school each year should eliminate a lot of the problem.

  42. what irritates me is that bicyclists are unwilling to use the very nice bike lane setup on 8th and 3rd, and pedestrians from old north davis can’t be bothered to walk a couple blocks to a light with a crosswalk, and everyone’s solution is to squeeze off the only arterial road south of covell to accommodate them.

    parking a bike cop on 5th to ticket people refusing to obey a system that’s been set for decades might be a better use of money than setting up a bunch of traffic jams.

    i bike all over the city, and know better than to ride on streets without bike lanes. more aggressive ticketing and more outreach to students in the first month of school each year should eliminate a lot of the problem.

  43. what irritates me is that bicyclists are unwilling to use the very nice bike lane setup on 8th and 3rd, and pedestrians from old north davis can’t be bothered to walk a couple blocks to a light with a crosswalk, and everyone’s solution is to squeeze off the only arterial road south of covell to accommodate them.

    parking a bike cop on 5th to ticket people refusing to obey a system that’s been set for decades might be a better use of money than setting up a bunch of traffic jams.

    i bike all over the city, and know better than to ride on streets without bike lanes. more aggressive ticketing and more outreach to students in the first month of school each year should eliminate a lot of the problem.

  44. what irritates me is that bicyclists are unwilling to use the very nice bike lane setup on 8th and 3rd, and pedestrians from old north davis can’t be bothered to walk a couple blocks to a light with a crosswalk, and everyone’s solution is to squeeze off the only arterial road south of covell to accommodate them.

    parking a bike cop on 5th to ticket people refusing to obey a system that’s been set for decades might be a better use of money than setting up a bunch of traffic jams.

    i bike all over the city, and know better than to ride on streets without bike lanes. more aggressive ticketing and more outreach to students in the first month of school each year should eliminate a lot of the problem.

  45. Bicycles have the same rights as cars on our streets. Meaning that they have every right to be in the road, especially when there is no separate bike lane provided. They also have to stop at lights and stop signs, etc. They can merge into left turn lanes at lights to make left turns with the traffic. They are not allowed to ride on sidewalks. So riding down 5th street on a bike is not a ticketable offense.

  46. Bicycles have the same rights as cars on our streets. Meaning that they have every right to be in the road, especially when there is no separate bike lane provided. They also have to stop at lights and stop signs, etc. They can merge into left turn lanes at lights to make left turns with the traffic. They are not allowed to ride on sidewalks. So riding down 5th street on a bike is not a ticketable offense.

  47. Bicycles have the same rights as cars on our streets. Meaning that they have every right to be in the road, especially when there is no separate bike lane provided. They also have to stop at lights and stop signs, etc. They can merge into left turn lanes at lights to make left turns with the traffic. They are not allowed to ride on sidewalks. So riding down 5th street on a bike is not a ticketable offense.

  48. Bicycles have the same rights as cars on our streets. Meaning that they have every right to be in the road, especially when there is no separate bike lane provided. They also have to stop at lights and stop signs, etc. They can merge into left turn lanes at lights to make left turns with the traffic. They are not allowed to ride on sidewalks. So riding down 5th street on a bike is not a ticketable offense.

  49. Anonymous said…

    Bicycles have the same rights as cars on our streets. Meaning that they have every right to be in the road, especially when there is no separate bike lane provided. They also have to stop at lights and stop signs, etc. They can merge into left turn lanes at lights to make left turns with the traffic. They are not allowed to ride on sidewalks. So riding down 5th street on a bike is not a ticketable offense.

    6/10/08 4:08 PM

    Amazing how frequently this is forgotten, both by some drivers of vehicles who believe that they are entitled to the sole use of the road, and some bicyclists who believe that they are allowed to ride in any manner they want without concern for vehicles, pedestrians and the vehicle code.

    In any event, a solution to the Fifth Avenue/Russell situation that allows cars to drive on ALL streets in Davis while limiting bicyclists to designated routes is not a feasible one, nor should it be. The congestion is caused by cars, bikes and pedestrians, and the burden of resolving it should not be placed upon bicyclists alone.

    Besides fairness, there is also the probability that such an approach is likely to fail, as it would ask nothing of the people that contribute most to the congestion, the drivers of vehicles.

    –Richard Estes

  50. Anonymous said…

    Bicycles have the same rights as cars on our streets. Meaning that they have every right to be in the road, especially when there is no separate bike lane provided. They also have to stop at lights and stop signs, etc. They can merge into left turn lanes at lights to make left turns with the traffic. They are not allowed to ride on sidewalks. So riding down 5th street on a bike is not a ticketable offense.

    6/10/08 4:08 PM

    Amazing how frequently this is forgotten, both by some drivers of vehicles who believe that they are entitled to the sole use of the road, and some bicyclists who believe that they are allowed to ride in any manner they want without concern for vehicles, pedestrians and the vehicle code.

    In any event, a solution to the Fifth Avenue/Russell situation that allows cars to drive on ALL streets in Davis while limiting bicyclists to designated routes is not a feasible one, nor should it be. The congestion is caused by cars, bikes and pedestrians, and the burden of resolving it should not be placed upon bicyclists alone.

    Besides fairness, there is also the probability that such an approach is likely to fail, as it would ask nothing of the people that contribute most to the congestion, the drivers of vehicles.

    –Richard Estes

  51. Anonymous said…

    Bicycles have the same rights as cars on our streets. Meaning that they have every right to be in the road, especially when there is no separate bike lane provided. They also have to stop at lights and stop signs, etc. They can merge into left turn lanes at lights to make left turns with the traffic. They are not allowed to ride on sidewalks. So riding down 5th street on a bike is not a ticketable offense.

    6/10/08 4:08 PM

    Amazing how frequently this is forgotten, both by some drivers of vehicles who believe that they are entitled to the sole use of the road, and some bicyclists who believe that they are allowed to ride in any manner they want without concern for vehicles, pedestrians and the vehicle code.

    In any event, a solution to the Fifth Avenue/Russell situation that allows cars to drive on ALL streets in Davis while limiting bicyclists to designated routes is not a feasible one, nor should it be. The congestion is caused by cars, bikes and pedestrians, and the burden of resolving it should not be placed upon bicyclists alone.

    Besides fairness, there is also the probability that such an approach is likely to fail, as it would ask nothing of the people that contribute most to the congestion, the drivers of vehicles.

    –Richard Estes

  52. Anonymous said…

    Bicycles have the same rights as cars on our streets. Meaning that they have every right to be in the road, especially when there is no separate bike lane provided. They also have to stop at lights and stop signs, etc. They can merge into left turn lanes at lights to make left turns with the traffic. They are not allowed to ride on sidewalks. So riding down 5th street on a bike is not a ticketable offense.

    6/10/08 4:08 PM

    Amazing how frequently this is forgotten, both by some drivers of vehicles who believe that they are entitled to the sole use of the road, and some bicyclists who believe that they are allowed to ride in any manner they want without concern for vehicles, pedestrians and the vehicle code.

    In any event, a solution to the Fifth Avenue/Russell situation that allows cars to drive on ALL streets in Davis while limiting bicyclists to designated routes is not a feasible one, nor should it be. The congestion is caused by cars, bikes and pedestrians, and the burden of resolving it should not be placed upon bicyclists alone.

    Besides fairness, there is also the probability that such an approach is likely to fail, as it would ask nothing of the people that contribute most to the congestion, the drivers of vehicles.

    –Richard Estes

  53. At our end of Fifth Street, between L and Pole Line, there is a dedicated, fenced bike lane. Bicyclists sometimes use it; they also often bike on the sidewalk on the other side, they bike down the street on both sides, and they cross the street randomly to get onto and off the bike lane.
    The left turn signals at L and G seem to have helped with auto traffic. The simplest and most expeditious change would be to add more of those signals at J and D streets.

    “…more outreach to students in the first month of school each year….”
    A bike safety class should be mandatory for incoming UCD freshmen!

  54. At our end of Fifth Street, between L and Pole Line, there is a dedicated, fenced bike lane. Bicyclists sometimes use it; they also often bike on the sidewalk on the other side, they bike down the street on both sides, and they cross the street randomly to get onto and off the bike lane.
    The left turn signals at L and G seem to have helped with auto traffic. The simplest and most expeditious change would be to add more of those signals at J and D streets.

    “…more outreach to students in the first month of school each year….”
    A bike safety class should be mandatory for incoming UCD freshmen!

  55. At our end of Fifth Street, between L and Pole Line, there is a dedicated, fenced bike lane. Bicyclists sometimes use it; they also often bike on the sidewalk on the other side, they bike down the street on both sides, and they cross the street randomly to get onto and off the bike lane.
    The left turn signals at L and G seem to have helped with auto traffic. The simplest and most expeditious change would be to add more of those signals at J and D streets.

    “…more outreach to students in the first month of school each year….”
    A bike safety class should be mandatory for incoming UCD freshmen!

  56. At our end of Fifth Street, between L and Pole Line, there is a dedicated, fenced bike lane. Bicyclists sometimes use it; they also often bike on the sidewalk on the other side, they bike down the street on both sides, and they cross the street randomly to get onto and off the bike lane.
    The left turn signals at L and G seem to have helped with auto traffic. The simplest and most expeditious change would be to add more of those signals at J and D streets.

    “…more outreach to students in the first month of school each year….”
    A bike safety class should be mandatory for incoming UCD freshmen!

  57. I know this issue (reconfiguring 5th Street) was on the city council’s agenda last night: does anyone know what they decided?

    I know that the Old North folks want to make 5th (from B to L) restriped the way F Street is from 5th to 8th and the way Anderson is from Russell to Villanova: bike lanes in both directions; one car lane going each way; and a center island lane for turning. It’s counter-intuitive to think that this would help reduce traffic problems, cutting out half of the car lanes. However, I think it might be worth giving it a try for a while, to see how it goes. If it works, keep it. If not, go back to what we have now.

  58. I know this issue (reconfiguring 5th Street) was on the city council’s agenda last night: does anyone know what they decided?

    I know that the Old North folks want to make 5th (from B to L) restriped the way F Street is from 5th to 8th and the way Anderson is from Russell to Villanova: bike lanes in both directions; one car lane going each way; and a center island lane for turning. It’s counter-intuitive to think that this would help reduce traffic problems, cutting out half of the car lanes. However, I think it might be worth giving it a try for a while, to see how it goes. If it works, keep it. If not, go back to what we have now.

  59. I know this issue (reconfiguring 5th Street) was on the city council’s agenda last night: does anyone know what they decided?

    I know that the Old North folks want to make 5th (from B to L) restriped the way F Street is from 5th to 8th and the way Anderson is from Russell to Villanova: bike lanes in both directions; one car lane going each way; and a center island lane for turning. It’s counter-intuitive to think that this would help reduce traffic problems, cutting out half of the car lanes. However, I think it might be worth giving it a try for a while, to see how it goes. If it works, keep it. If not, go back to what we have now.

  60. I know this issue (reconfiguring 5th Street) was on the city council’s agenda last night: does anyone know what they decided?

    I know that the Old North folks want to make 5th (from B to L) restriped the way F Street is from 5th to 8th and the way Anderson is from Russell to Villanova: bike lanes in both directions; one car lane going each way; and a center island lane for turning. It’s counter-intuitive to think that this would help reduce traffic problems, cutting out half of the car lanes. However, I think it might be worth giving it a try for a while, to see how it goes. If it works, keep it. If not, go back to what we have now.

  61. “I know that the Old North folks want to make 5th (from B to L) restriped the way F Street is from 5th to 8th and the way Anderson is from Russell to Villanova: bike lanes in both directions; one car lane going each way; and a center island lane for turning. It’s counter-intuitive to think that this would help reduce traffic problems, cutting out half of the car lanes. However, I think it might be worth giving it a try for a while, to see how it goes. If it works, keep it. If not, go back to what we have now.”

    No, we should not go back to what we have now, ever. If the new configuration doesn’t work, then we start bicycle training for incoming freshman, and public school students. We pass an ordinance that says cyclists must use bicycle paths when available. And we prohibit bikes on Russell period.

  62. “I know that the Old North folks want to make 5th (from B to L) restriped the way F Street is from 5th to 8th and the way Anderson is from Russell to Villanova: bike lanes in both directions; one car lane going each way; and a center island lane for turning. It’s counter-intuitive to think that this would help reduce traffic problems, cutting out half of the car lanes. However, I think it might be worth giving it a try for a while, to see how it goes. If it works, keep it. If not, go back to what we have now.”

    No, we should not go back to what we have now, ever. If the new configuration doesn’t work, then we start bicycle training for incoming freshman, and public school students. We pass an ordinance that says cyclists must use bicycle paths when available. And we prohibit bikes on Russell period.

  63. “I know that the Old North folks want to make 5th (from B to L) restriped the way F Street is from 5th to 8th and the way Anderson is from Russell to Villanova: bike lanes in both directions; one car lane going each way; and a center island lane for turning. It’s counter-intuitive to think that this would help reduce traffic problems, cutting out half of the car lanes. However, I think it might be worth giving it a try for a while, to see how it goes. If it works, keep it. If not, go back to what we have now.”

    No, we should not go back to what we have now, ever. If the new configuration doesn’t work, then we start bicycle training for incoming freshman, and public school students. We pass an ordinance that says cyclists must use bicycle paths when available. And we prohibit bikes on Russell period.

  64. “I know that the Old North folks want to make 5th (from B to L) restriped the way F Street is from 5th to 8th and the way Anderson is from Russell to Villanova: bike lanes in both directions; one car lane going each way; and a center island lane for turning. It’s counter-intuitive to think that this would help reduce traffic problems, cutting out half of the car lanes. However, I think it might be worth giving it a try for a while, to see how it goes. If it works, keep it. If not, go back to what we have now.”

    No, we should not go back to what we have now, ever. If the new configuration doesn’t work, then we start bicycle training for incoming freshman, and public school students. We pass an ordinance that says cyclists must use bicycle paths when available. And we prohibit bikes on Russell period.

  65. To POX ON STUPID CYCLISTS:
    They do have an orientation for new freshman for cycling in Davis. This includes laws,(same as cars), and operation of a bicycle on public streets.
    However it is not a mandatory part of the orientation and most won’t/don’t attend. This program comes under the control of David Takemoto Weerts and his Supervisor, Clifford Contreras. David is the head of bicycle programs and Cliffy is the supervisor of TAPS, (Transportation and Parking), on campus. I would suggest that you contact either of them with issues regarding bicycle problems. This recommendation comes from an observation that neither of them has addressed the issues properly.

  66. To POX ON STUPID CYCLISTS:
    They do have an orientation for new freshman for cycling in Davis. This includes laws,(same as cars), and operation of a bicycle on public streets.
    However it is not a mandatory part of the orientation and most won’t/don’t attend. This program comes under the control of David Takemoto Weerts and his Supervisor, Clifford Contreras. David is the head of bicycle programs and Cliffy is the supervisor of TAPS, (Transportation and Parking), on campus. I would suggest that you contact either of them with issues regarding bicycle problems. This recommendation comes from an observation that neither of them has addressed the issues properly.

  67. To POX ON STUPID CYCLISTS:
    They do have an orientation for new freshman for cycling in Davis. This includes laws,(same as cars), and operation of a bicycle on public streets.
    However it is not a mandatory part of the orientation and most won’t/don’t attend. This program comes under the control of David Takemoto Weerts and his Supervisor, Clifford Contreras. David is the head of bicycle programs and Cliffy is the supervisor of TAPS, (Transportation and Parking), on campus. I would suggest that you contact either of them with issues regarding bicycle problems. This recommendation comes from an observation that neither of them has addressed the issues properly.

  68. To POX ON STUPID CYCLISTS:
    They do have an orientation for new freshman for cycling in Davis. This includes laws,(same as cars), and operation of a bicycle on public streets.
    However it is not a mandatory part of the orientation and most won’t/don’t attend. This program comes under the control of David Takemoto Weerts and his Supervisor, Clifford Contreras. David is the head of bicycle programs and Cliffy is the supervisor of TAPS, (Transportation and Parking), on campus. I would suggest that you contact either of them with issues regarding bicycle problems. This recommendation comes from an observation that neither of them has addressed the issues properly.

  69. Anyone with any sense doesn’t bike on 5th. I bike to campus almost every day. I either stay on campus and use their paths or up to sixth if I need to go east/west.

    What is interesting is I have used the bike path on Russell once. I was yelled at by people walking. This isn’t uncommon – to be biking down what is clearly a bike path only to be stopped dead in my tracks by groups of pedestrians taking up both lanes and refusing to make room. Then they give you a nasty glare.

  70. Anyone with any sense doesn’t bike on 5th. I bike to campus almost every day. I either stay on campus and use their paths or up to sixth if I need to go east/west.

    What is interesting is I have used the bike path on Russell once. I was yelled at by people walking. This isn’t uncommon – to be biking down what is clearly a bike path only to be stopped dead in my tracks by groups of pedestrians taking up both lanes and refusing to make room. Then they give you a nasty glare.

  71. Anyone with any sense doesn’t bike on 5th. I bike to campus almost every day. I either stay on campus and use their paths or up to sixth if I need to go east/west.

    What is interesting is I have used the bike path on Russell once. I was yelled at by people walking. This isn’t uncommon – to be biking down what is clearly a bike path only to be stopped dead in my tracks by groups of pedestrians taking up both lanes and refusing to make room. Then they give you a nasty glare.

  72. Anyone with any sense doesn’t bike on 5th. I bike to campus almost every day. I either stay on campus and use their paths or up to sixth if I need to go east/west.

    What is interesting is I have used the bike path on Russell once. I was yelled at by people walking. This isn’t uncommon – to be biking down what is clearly a bike path only to be stopped dead in my tracks by groups of pedestrians taking up both lanes and refusing to make room. Then they give you a nasty glare.

  73. the pedestrians are worse on campus. they’re sort of the walking equivalent of people biking on fifth, less than 10 feet away from a sidewalk, yet blithely walking right in the middle of a busy bike lane.

  74. the pedestrians are worse on campus. they’re sort of the walking equivalent of people biking on fifth, less than 10 feet away from a sidewalk, yet blithely walking right in the middle of a busy bike lane.

  75. the pedestrians are worse on campus. they’re sort of the walking equivalent of people biking on fifth, less than 10 feet away from a sidewalk, yet blithely walking right in the middle of a busy bike lane.

  76. the pedestrians are worse on campus. they’re sort of the walking equivalent of people biking on fifth, less than 10 feet away from a sidewalk, yet blithely walking right in the middle of a busy bike lane.

  77. “the pedestrians are worse on campus. they’re sort of the walking equivalent of people biking on fifth, less than 10 feet away from a sidewalk, yet blithely walking right in the middle of a busy bike lane.”

    How about the “spandex speedos” who bicycle two abreast so they can talk to each other, and seem bothered that walking pedestrians don’t get out of the way faster? All forms of traffic, automobile, bicycles, walkers, are guilty of not obeying the law, being road hogs, etc. Road curtesy should be a mandatory course for all incoming citizens!!!

  78. “the pedestrians are worse on campus. they’re sort of the walking equivalent of people biking on fifth, less than 10 feet away from a sidewalk, yet blithely walking right in the middle of a busy bike lane.”

    How about the “spandex speedos” who bicycle two abreast so they can talk to each other, and seem bothered that walking pedestrians don’t get out of the way faster? All forms of traffic, automobile, bicycles, walkers, are guilty of not obeying the law, being road hogs, etc. Road curtesy should be a mandatory course for all incoming citizens!!!

  79. “the pedestrians are worse on campus. they’re sort of the walking equivalent of people biking on fifth, less than 10 feet away from a sidewalk, yet blithely walking right in the middle of a busy bike lane.”

    How about the “spandex speedos” who bicycle two abreast so they can talk to each other, and seem bothered that walking pedestrians don’t get out of the way faster? All forms of traffic, automobile, bicycles, walkers, are guilty of not obeying the law, being road hogs, etc. Road curtesy should be a mandatory course for all incoming citizens!!!

  80. “the pedestrians are worse on campus. they’re sort of the walking equivalent of people biking on fifth, less than 10 feet away from a sidewalk, yet blithely walking right in the middle of a busy bike lane.”

    How about the “spandex speedos” who bicycle two abreast so they can talk to each other, and seem bothered that walking pedestrians don’t get out of the way faster? All forms of traffic, automobile, bicycles, walkers, are guilty of not obeying the law, being road hogs, etc. Road curtesy should be a mandatory course for all incoming citizens!!!

  81. It seems there is no easy solution to this.

    Limiting 5th Street to two lanes is going to push cross-town traffic not only onto 8th Street but into the Old North Davis neighborhood that is pushing this. Unfortunately, I think people are not going to start riding bikes downtown in response, they will just take a longer route to get there. Are we going to move t

  82. It seems there is no easy solution to this.

    Limiting 5th Street to two lanes is going to push cross-town traffic not only onto 8th Street but into the Old North Davis neighborhood that is pushing this. Unfortunately, I think people are not going to start riding bikes downtown in response, they will just take a longer route to get there. Are we going to move t

  83. It seems there is no easy solution to this.

    Limiting 5th Street to two lanes is going to push cross-town traffic not only onto 8th Street but into the Old North Davis neighborhood that is pushing this. Unfortunately, I think people are not going to start riding bikes downtown in response, they will just take a longer route to get there. Are we going to move t

  84. It seems there is no easy solution to this.

    Limiting 5th Street to two lanes is going to push cross-town traffic not only onto 8th Street but into the Old North Davis neighborhood that is pushing this. Unfortunately, I think people are not going to start riding bikes downtown in response, they will just take a longer route to get there. Are we going to move t

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