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I would like to share a little bit of my thoughts on the plastic balusters installed to protect the bicyclist. I don’t agree that plastic balusters are the best solution, but I am happy that they got put in it; they not only protect bicyclists, they also protect motor vehicle drivers.
I have noticed since I moved to Santa Cruz that bicyclists do not follow any of the rules of the road. They skip stop signs; they skip stop lights and swerve in and out of traffic. Instead of riding inside the bike lane, they ride on the line closest to the lane where vehicles are driving.
The first day I saw the plastic balusters I was ecstatic and actually told myself thank God they finally did something to keep these bicycles in the bike lane like they’re supposed to be. I don’t know how many times I have been close to hitting a bicyclist and end up having to hit my brakes to avoid a crash. The bicyclists ride on the edge of the bike lane – it’s like they assume the white line means that’s where the tires supposed to go.
I would hope that the City of Santa Cruz and the county continue to put these barriers up as to educate bicyclist that they are not exempt from rules of the road and rules of traffic.
I would also like to add that I am a bicyclist myself and follow rules of the road just like I was driving a car.
Hector Uribe
Santa Cruz