Bike Lane - Traffic Safety and Politics..

Stephen Wall, Staff Writer
Posted: 09/29/2009 03:56:02 PM PDT
Updated: 09/29/2009 04:02:30 PM PDT

GRAND TERRACE - There's the Redlands Bicycle Classic and the Tour de France.
Grand Terrace used to have its own bicycle race called the Tour de Terrace about 20 years ago.
Even though the event was canceled because of budget cuts, the city is still a popular route for cycling enthusiasts.

Last week, the city became even more bike friendly.

Workers completed a new bike lane and street improvements along a section of Mount Vernon Avenue.

"Grand Terrace is a main thoroughfare for bike riders," said Richard Shields, the city's public works director. "All day long you see bike riders going down both sides of Mount Vernon. They head down Barton Road into Redlands. It's a popular route."

As part of the project, the intersection of Mount Vernon and Pico Street was widened, along with construction of a new disabled access ramp on the northeast corner. New curbs, gutters and sidewalks were also added.

"I think it will benefit the residents by providing an easier traffic flow," said Councilwoman Bea Cortes. "It will also give the residents another opportunity to exercise."

The city moved two Southern California Edison transmission poles that were in front of two properties where right-of-way was purchased to widen the street.

With a push from Cortes, the city received a $100,000 grant from San Bernardino Associated Governments, the county's transportation planning agency, to pay for half the project. The rest of the money came from city capital improvement funds.

Shields said the wider intersection will give the city more room to add a traffic signal in the future.

Traffic is expected to increase through the area if the 4,000-home Spring Mountain Ranch housing development south of Grand Terrace is built. The project has been on hold because of the downturn in the housing market.

"If people need to get to the 215 Freeway, they're going to filter down Mount Vernon to the 215," Shields said. "We're trying to widen as much of Mount Vernon as possible to facilitate that and to facilitate bicycle and pedestrian travel as well."

Gramps has to add a note:

Bicycle Lanes and use of Alternative Transportation such as Neighborhood Electric Vehicles would be enhanced if there was a city wide Maximum Speed Limit of 35mph including Mt. Vernon and Barton Roads.

The added traffic when the high school opens will be sufficient need for added traffic signals and a wider road. People from Mt. Springs Ranch can get on the freeway at the Iowa On ramp rather than drive through GT in a zig zag of lights and housing.

The traffic would be from those not getting on the 215 that use GT as the Freeway Bypass. These folks along with our residents speed through town during rush hours. A 35 mph speed limit would hold speeds not to what is "Traveled" but what is safe and should be traveled in a city retail area and homes, and schools, and bike lanes... Stop catering to speeders by using the excuse that the speed limits are set at an average of rate of speed of a sample of drivers on sampling day. This does not mean that the speed practiced is a save speed.

Final Note: Bea Cortes is trying to build a new resume after her long collaboration with Steve Berry and Tom Schwab. Giving her press coverage only aids in that attempt when she should be enjoying the same or similar situation that Jim Miller is now facing. She is a woman with connections and who knows how to run a news worthy event like Miller's Arrest and Booking, when a simple court order could have been issued. Think about it every time she speaks, or is covered in the Press of any kind.