Mount Diablo State Park started to install 30 bike turnouts on its roadways this week, something avid cyclists consider to be a historic win.
“This has truly been a team effort by thousands of people throughout the Bay Area, and I can’t thank you enough,” said Alan Kalin, president of the cyclist group Mount Diablo Cyclists, in a video announcement.
Last year, some 150,000 cyclists rode up Mount Diablo and made up 60 percent of all vehicle traffic on its roads.
Cyclists urged the California State Parks and Recreations Department to install turnouts to allow cars to safely pass cyclists climbing up the winding, steep road. In response, the state park installed three pilot bike turnouts, which Mount Diablo Cyclists said were “overwhelmingly successful” in reducing bike-car collisions. The organization said the roadway needs 35 to 40 turnouts total in order to have one every half-mile.
The turnouts are expected to be fully installed by Friday.
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Now the question is whether cyclists will actually use them and yield to motorists.
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And what happens if they do not?
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That’s a great question. Like will motorists yield to cyclists too. I know what happens when they don’t. Death or serious injury to a cyclist. Why is it so difficult to give another human being a little curtesy and try not to kill a cyclist. It’s not that hard. Slow down.
They may be served turnovers instead of turnouts
Cyclists climbing the hill always will yeild to cars if given the chance. We arent trying to get killed.
Excellent question „Exit 12a“ because I heard that most cyclist actually enjoy getting hit by a car
Anyone here remember a few years back when the biker psychos put signs up every 15 feet saying “DO NOT PASS BIKERS”. Obviously they all got taken down because they were not authorized by the park. I’m glad there is a solution coming, but remember, no one owns the road. Share. I’ve passed many an a-hole biker hogging the road going 4.2 miles per hour yelling that I’m the one in the wrong. Bikers, pull over and let traffic pass. Don’t be that guy.
I mean, to be a bicyclist, you kind of are already that guy… it’s like telling a horse not to eat hay or a dog not to sniff butts.
Does this mean they will remove vegetation and natural flora and replace with blacktop (that won’t be too hot, will it?)? My experience with bicyclists is they are rude, entitled horses’ ashes rather frequently. I have experienced, and have seen others experience, a sole bicyclist smack in the middle of the road, preventing automobile traffic from passing him (mostly guys) and getting belligerent if you even try to pass them. So, we’ll see how these cyclists use these turnouts.
Last trip up Diablo was ruined by aggressive, overly zealous gang of bicyclists. I found that I was imagining them with little parachutes in their backpacks and flying off the mountain.
That is funny! Exactly.
I ride a bike, I’m courteous while riding as I know the competition with a 3,500Lb moving object is unfair. I ride close to the line, I still nearly get hit by mirrors. I enjoy the self propelled cruising. The bike turn outs will be really nice. What’s the rush of any motorist in the park? Just wait a bit, I know it’s irritating when in a car that your being held up a person on a bike.
The question is irrelevant. There is not a rush if they are traveling at the posted limit. Wanting to go faster than walking on a roadway does not constitute a rush.
@WC—Creeker….I agree, cyclists can stop at a turnout, have a cigarette, eat a little GORP, couple of hits of OG Kush, slug a Miller Lite and toodle on up or down the hill when the cars are clear….sounds like a fun time.
Mabey we should have bike only days and car only days. That way it would be safe and enjoyable for everyone.
Pepe for the win!
On Diablo it’s not the cyclists that are being reckless and breaking the law.
It’s the vehicles crossing the yellow line to overtake, especially dangerous on the blind corners.
These vehicles risk a head-on collision with both cars and cyclists descending the mountain.
I assure you, the cyclists will be using the turnouts.
Joe
Its just common courtesy thats needed from both sides, bikes have rights on the road and most do follow the rules, I ride the mtn 2 times a week, going up hill I give way to the cars, but going down I do not, I travel the road at the posted speed limit and that is my right, if a driver goes faster he is breaking the law,
One thing we can ALL AGREE on: EQUESTRIANS SUCk!
Two questions:
1) When will bicyclists pay road taxes, since construction and maintenance for their sport is so expensive?
2) Will bicyclists obey posted speed limits when traveling down the mountain? We had a lot of close calls over the years, with bicyclists traveling in the opposing lane of travel, and passing on both sides of our car.