98 replies to this topic

[kcrides99]

The plan calls for having a trail along portions of the railway. There have been talks for many years for using the rail road track for other purposes such as excursion trains or other related activities. I personally think it has potential so I would not support removing the tracks. I think having a trail parallel the tracks is ideal.

 

As other posters have pointed out, having great trails does not make our streets safe.

[tony]

 

Love your definition of accidents Tony. You just keep twisting your reasoning and logic until it fits your desired point. I have libxxxx on my crew who do the same thing. The rest of us just have to smile and keep our mouths shut because they always have a never ending argument. They are always right according to them, so the best thing to do is just end the discussion. Hope you enjoy your 3 block bike playground Tony. 

Twisting nothing. Just trying to untwist your misinterpretation of what I said.

[mrdavex]

Why not rip out the stupid unutilized RR tracks that create horrible road conditions (example: crossing heading up Costco hill from E Bidwell) and convert it to a bike/pedestrian path?  Kill two birds with one stone

 

If the city really feels the need to keep these tracks at least do something with them...

 

Underutilized: Yes.  Un-utilized: No.  The PSVRR uses those tracks to move their rolling stock from their yard near Sutter Street to the starting point by the Hampton Inn for their excursion trains.  Tearing out tracks is also very pricey.  If there already is sufficient land next to the tracks to build a bike path, which I think there is, it would be much cheaper than building it on the tracks.

[ducky]

Not sure how Tony is twisting anything. If a single person is hurt by an vehicle and it is attributed to poor planning and design, wouldn't it  be prudent for the City to investigate the issue, develop a plan to resolve the issue, and then implement the plan accordingly?

 

 

 

I think it is important to determine the cause of the accidents.  If it is due to unsafe crossings, that's where the emphasis should be as to a fix.

There were two vehicle/bike accidents last month and both areas have bike lanes, neither were East Bidwell St.  

 

An example of all the planning in the world won't help some people: Just about an hour ago I saw a guy on a motorized bike swing a right turn on a red without stopping onto East Bidwell St. from Glenn (by Rite Aid), almost swung in front of a car in the number 1 lane.  He pulled back into the right lane, and, to his credit, or so I thought, pulled to the gutter because an ambulance with sirens was coming down EB; but then, right as the ambulance is approaching him, he turns in front of it, crosses all four lanes in front of oncoming traffic, and goes to the Folsom Lake Bowl side of East Bidwell.  I didn't see where he went from there.  He was wearing an orange safety vest.  The bike had a saddle bag on it.  If anyone knows who this guy is, please take his bike away for his own safety.

 

Two weeks ago I was almost hit by a cyclist at the same corner.  I was crossing while the walk light was lit, but the cyclist wasn't going to stop at the red to make a right and didn't see me because of cars.  Would have been nasty if I had reached the corner just a few seconds sooner.

 

The most recent accident I can remember in the area was a young man that was hit crossing  East Bidwell at Glenn riding a motorized scooter.  That's part of the statistics.  I'm not sure who was determined at fault for that.  Again, that is a crossing issue.

 

Can anyone tell me what neighborhood these students are coming from that have no option except to use East Bidwell St. to get to Sutter Middle?  My child walked and that route wouldn't make sense unless he was stopping at the convenience store on the way home.  The most worrisome part about him walking was crossing at the stop sign at Coloma & Dean.  The parents are distracted and don't stop and wait for students to cross.  If they come from Natoma Station, why wouldn't they just take Riley?   If they live further down, then they'd go to FMS.

 

If you can't tell, I'm a little worried that all the bicycle stuff is going to leave no money to make things safer for pedestrians.

[Sandman]

 

Underutilized: Yes.  Un-utilized: No.  The PSVRR uses those tracks to move their rolling stock from their yard near Sutter Street to the starting point by the Hampton Inn for their excursion trains.  Tearing out tracks is also very pricey.  If there already is sufficient land next to the tracks to build a bike path, which I think there is, it would be much cheaper than building it on the tracks.

Sorry but those so called "excursion trains" are a joke IMO.  I have never seen more than 3 people waiting in line to get on one of those tiny things.  Either get a real train excursion that will bring in people or tear em out in place of something that will actually be utilized.  Yes there have been talks or so called plans for MANY years to better "utilize" those tracks but how much longer do we have to wait.

[Howdy]

Are you in a rush to get something done with them? It looks like the railroad guys are utilizing them. They are working on the tracks, running a few cars and taking some people on rides. I don't see anything wrong with that. Sounds like a good hobby/passion they have and I am sure they hope it grows into something more.

[Carl G]

We have many trails on which we can walk, but only one train track.  We shouldn't be in a hurry to get rid of it.  

 

As a side note, for as long as I've been talking with them, PSVRR has supported multi-use for the tracks and surrounding area.  I remember them posting a picture of the excursion train out of Old Sacramento and bikes on the bike trail next to it saying something like "things done right."

[mrdavex]

We have many trails on which we can walk, but only one train track.  We shouldn't be in a hurry to get rid of it.  

 

As a side note, for as long as I've been talking with them, PSVRR has supported multi-use for the tracks and surrounding area.  I remember them posting a picture of the excursion train out of Old Sacramento and bikes on the bike trail next to it saying something like "things done right."

IIRC, all the train tracks in town already have a parallel trail, except for the segment on E Bidwell between Oak Ave and Hwy 50.  But I know that a trail on that segment is at least planned: http://ci.folsom.ca.us/civicax/filebank/blobdload.aspx?blobid=17412#page= 

[tony]

IIRC, all the train tracks in town already have a parallel trail, except for the segment on E Bidwell between Oak Ave and Hwy 50.  But I know that a trail on that segment is at least planned: http://ci.folsom.ca.us/civicax/filebank/blobdload.aspx?blobid=17412#page= 

Exactly.  Within the city limits, there is no need to remove tracks to put in the bike path. It's only an issue further down the corridor in El Dorado County where the terrain is steeper and the ROW is in some places very narrow.

[tony]

 

I think it is important to determine the cause of the accidents.  If it is due to unsafe crossings, that's where the emphasis should be as to a fix.

There were two vehicle/bike accidents last month and both areas have bike lanes, neither were East Bidwell St.  

 

An example of all the planning in the world won't help some people: Just about an hour ago I saw a guy on a motorized bike swing a right turn on a red without stopping onto East Bidwell St. from Glenn (by Rite Aid), almost swung in front of a car in the number 1 lane.  He pulled back into the right lane, and, to his credit, or so I thought, pulled to the gutter because an ambulance with sirens was coming down EB; but then, right as the ambulance is approaching him, he turns in front of it, crosses all four lanes in front of oncoming traffic, and goes to the Folsom Lake Bowl side of East Bidwell.  I didn't see where he went from there.  He was wearing an orange safety vest.  The bike had a saddle bag on it.  If anyone knows who this guy is, please take his bike away for his own safety.

 

Two weeks ago I was almost hit by a cyclist at the same corner.  I was crossing while the walk light was lit, but the cyclist wasn't going to stop at the red to make a right and didn't see me because of cars.  Would have been nasty if I had reached the corner just a few seconds sooner.

 

The most recent accident I can remember in the area was a young man that was hit crossing  East Bidwell at Glenn riding a motorized scooter.  That's part of the statistics.  I'm not sure who was determined at fault for that.  Again, that is a crossing issue.

 

Can anyone tell me what neighborhood these students are coming from that have no option except to use East Bidwell St. to get to Sutter Middle?  My child walked and that route wouldn't make sense unless he was stopping at the convenience store on the way home.  The most worrisome part about him walking was crossing at the stop sign at Coloma & Dean.  The parents are distracted and don't stop and wait for students to cross.  If they come from Natoma Station, why wouldn't they just take Riley?   If they live further down, then they'd go to FMS.

 

If you can't tell, I'm a little worried that all the bicycle stuff is going to leave no money to make things safer for pedestrians.

So, the cyclists behave just like the motorists in town, failing to stop to make a right turn on red.

 

Not to worry, at least as far as this study is concerned. It's called "complete streets" for a reason. As for my position, while I spend a lot more energy on bike issues, I feel just as strongly about pedestrian safety...perhaps more so, because there is no more fundamental right than to be able to walk in the public ROW...safely (...can't pursue happiness if you get run over by a car in the process).  That said, there is something to your concern about funding priorities at another level. While one might expect that the city would ensure safe pedestrian facilities (sidewalks and crossings) when our roads are constructed or rehabilitated, that has often not been the case, leaving significant gaps in the sidewalk system and a dearth of safe places to cross major streets. So, the city looks to grant funding to go back and fix these issues. And this is where the priorities  come in.  In an effort to complete the city's planned 40+ miles of multi-use paths, the city has generally applied for state and federal grant funds available for "active transportation", only for multi-use path projects, and not for pedestrian safety projects (with a few exceptions like the lighted crosswalks at Sutter Middle School). And there is very little general fund money budgeted to bike or pedestrian safety projects (other than matching funds from the Humbug-Willow Creek fund for path projects), most of which goes to doing curb ramp retrofits for ADA as the city plays catch up in that arena (after being sued for not having the required plan to do so). And, unfortunately, the city has missed numerous opportunities to make things safer for all pedestrians when doing these narrowly-scoped curb ramp projects.  So, you are right to be concerned that the city does not prioritize pedestrian safety, because they don't, especially if it has any "impacts" on "efficient" flow of motor vehicle traffic (as I've pointed out elsewhere, this is most obvious in the choice to not provide cross walks on all legs of many intersections -- motorist convenience over pedestrian safety -- and the decision not to adjust signal timing at the majority of intersections in town, which costs only a small amount of staff time, to be adequate for cyclists to safely cross on a new green light). 

[Howdy]

Pretty apropos post on Folsom Watch's FB page today. Please read this from an actual cyclist/commuter who rides the street, not just someone who views it from a car.

 

 

"This is something that needs attention, seeing as how we're all just residents of Folsom. I'm a working class, minimum wage receiving, going to school part time, citizen. That being said it is impossible to afford a car. The choice is a roof or a car. I chose the roof. THAT being said I ride a bike everywhere. Its alarming the amount of times that I have been cut off and almost hit riding down East Bidwell. Its not like I'm not following any of the bike laws either. I'm in the damn bike lane, with lights. I don't weave in and out of traffic. I'm just trying to get from point a to point b like the rest of you. Please be courteous of your fellow bicyclists.:

 

I saw that post on the FB page and after reading more of her responses I can see that she is young and naive. She claims to follow the cycling laws and asks motorists to watch out for her, but she seems oblivious to the point that she also needs to watch out for the motorists. Almost getting hit at the same intersection 4 times is ridiculous. When is the wake up call going to come that she needs to change her habits on how she approaches the intersection. She does't seem to be at fault, but when does someone start to take personal responsibility for their own safety? She seems to be unaware of her surroundings. Her other complaint about the intersection near the college. Where do you think the newest drivers in town are? Kids are not getting their drivers license as early compared to 30 years ago. The college students probably have 1-3 years of driving under their belts. The last place I want to be riding my bike would be around hundreds of new drivers who are known to have the highest accidents rates combining that with all the other distractions like texting, phone calls, selecting their music, etc...

 

I drive 200-400 miles a day and if I just followed the laws and relied on other people to watch out for me I would be in a an accident once a week.  I am always scanning the road 5, 10, 15 seconds ahead of me and constantly checking my mirrors. You learn to read the road and can anticipate what others are going to do. There are lots of bad drivers out there. Driving a motor vehicle or riding a bike is not a take all situation. Sometimes its about giving someone the right of way even when they are in the wrong. I have a feeling that she is following the laws, but is doing a lot of taking and assuming others see her. Apparently they don't notice her and the sooner she figures it out and modifies her habits the safer her commute will be.   

[Judge Smails]

According to our career city council politicians that just won re- election, everything is perfect in Folsom.

[kcrides99]

For what its worth, the Planning Commission is considering the Plan tomorrow (1/7/15), followed by the Traffic Safety Committee 1/22/15 and City Council 1/27/15.

 

I hope to get to a few of these meetings... hopefully if walking in the CBD is important to you will consider providing feedback.

[supermom]

http://www.saclafco..../sac_030779.pdf

http://www.folsom.ca...px?BlobID=20409

 

Again, check out the plans. 

and the companies supporting them.

[4thgenFolsomite]

interesting.  looks like the proposed sidewalk project #11 on Figure 10C would take out the row of trees my grandmother planted in 1920.    love those trees.