During a recent trip to San Francisco, I walked the Golden Gate Bridge using their bicycle/pedestrian path, on a weekday when bikes are allowed. I posted a short video (see link below) and recommend viewing it relative to Coronado’s proposed multi-use beach path. Like Coronado beach, the Golden Gate is a popular destination and has an abundance of tourists year round. Their path is about 10′-12′ wide, with some signs indicating opposite lanes for bikes and pedestrians; they prohibit skaters, skateboards and dogs; allowing only 2-wheel bikes, wheelchairs, pedestrians and joggers. Bicycle speed limits are not posted, though suggested’ at 10 mph, but a bike safety study showed actual speeds up to 20 mph with about 20 accidents per year and most requiring ambulance response. Bikes and pedestrians move in both directions in their own lanes, do not always stay in single file, and often crossover to avoid oncoming traffic. Most of my walk was spent looking ahead and behind to avoid being hit by bicycles.
Whether permitted or through non-enforcement, such a path on our beach would also attract tandem bikes & bikes with child “trailers” or surfboards; rental bikes (surrey & electric); skaters & skateboards; Segways; wheelchairs, electric scooters & strollers, etc. Add in cycling groups riding at higher speeds, to the tidal wave of tourists in Coronado, and you greatly increase the potential conflicts and accidents on a bike/pedestrian pathway.
Recommendation #1: The best use of ANY taxpayer money regarding a multi-use beach path would be for members of our City Council AND the BAC to immediately visit the Golden Gate Bridge, and see an example of traffic volumes and operating/safety issues on an existing bicycle/pedestrian path.
Recommendation #2: With about 25 miles of paved streets for bicycling, 50 miles of sidewalks for pedestrians and joggers, and the 24 mile Bayshore Bikeway, Coronado does not NEED a bike/pedestrian beach path, nor a magnet for more tourists and out-of-town cyclists. And it’s clear that most residents DO NOT WANT such a pathway built. Rescind the $100K study allocation now. Scrap all current and future efforts on a multi-use beach path.
