The meeting of BikeWalkSolana, the Solana Beach Active Transportation Committee, was held on June 3, 2024, 5pm on Zoom. For invitations to future meetings, please email [email protected]

Agenda:

• Updates from the City
• Discussion on Harbaugh trail to Seaside beach pedestrian crossing
• Bike Month Event Highlights
• New Business

Meeting Notes by Jill Cooper

Those attending on Zoom included Douglas Alden, Judy Berlfein, Kristin Brinner, Nick Buck, Paige Colburn-Hargis, Jill Cooper, Jewel Edson, Dan Goldberg, Karl Rudnick, Kristine Schindler, and Michael Von Neumann. Regular Encinitas BikeWalk participants attending were Berlfein, Buck, Von Neumann.

Updates from the City (Dan Goldberg)

The COSB pre-COVID focus on promoting car-free transportation through a coastal cities bike share program has pivoted toward researching micro–transit options. City Staff are currently looking into a multi-passenger vehicle called a Circulator which could transport residents around the city for a low price. 

The San Diego Bike Coalition, with funding from the City, will offer bike classes this summer:

1. June 20:   All About Ebikes online webinar from 6:00 – 7:00 pm
2. July 29:   55+ Bike and Ebike webinar from 10:30 – 11:30am
3. August 1:  Bike Rodeo from 9:00 – 10:00 am at La Colonia Park

Karl Rudnick asked if BWS could redirect current unused Community Grant funds to refund Solana Beach residents attending classes with fees, including currently unscheduled City Cycling classes geared toward youth.  

The City anticipates that Phase IV of the Lomas Santa Fe Improvement Corridor Project construction east of the I-5 Freeway, will start later this year. The construction window should be 12-15 months. 

Hoped for Encinitas and Solana Beach collaboration on pedestrian crossing and Hwy 101 improvements at Harbaugh Trails

EncinitasBikeWalk members sought direction from BikeWalkSolana about how to encourage the City of Encinitas (COE) to join with the City of Solana Beach (COSB) on a construction plan to improve pedestrian safety on Hwy 101 at Harbaugh Trails. At our April meeting Mo Sammak presented a preliminary concept extending our Coastal Rail Trail to the northernmost border and a Z-crossing like on Solana Beach 101 to minimize sight obstruction to residents, with a road diet to a single lane in both directions for vehicles entering and leaving the crossing point. Mo also mentioned meeting with Encinitas engineers Jill Bangston and Abe Bandegan, who also expressed a desire to extend the road diet to at least Las Olas signal.

From COSB Senior Engineer Dan Goldberg: Both cities’ engineering staffs have met jointly about a proposed plan to improve the Hwy 101 roadway to benefit pedestrians, cyclists, and car drivers. The COSB Council has approved the Engineering Staff’s initial design within Solana Beach,…but the Z crossing will be located within Encinitas city limits. The plan will have a better chance of being approved by the Coastal Commission and funded by SANDAG if both cities apply jointly.  

From COSB Deputy Mayor Jewel Edson: The Harbaugh Trails Hwy 101 project is in the City’s Work Plan. The City Staff’s concept design was supported by the City Council, but moving forward, it’s preferable that the final design be a collaboration of both cities. The COSB plans to apply for a grant to fund the project once we have a shovel-ready design and hopes to partner with the COE on a joint project.. A joint project between cities is more likely to have grant funding approved, lowering the cost to both cities. Jewel Edson suggested that EncinitasBikeWalk advocate for the project with COE Council members. 

From Michael Von Neumann: Some at the COE incorrectly think that only Solana Beach residents would use the Harbaugh Trails pedestrian crossing, but residents across San Diego County, including citizens of Encinitas, already enjoy hiking Harbaugh Trails and going to Seaside Beach.

BikeWalkSolana recommends that EncinitasBikeWalk speak directly to the Encinitas City Council, asking them to work with the COSB on a design plan to construct a safer Hwy 101 roadway north and south of the Harbaugh Trails crossing.

Bike/Walk Month Highlights

1. At Fiesta del Sol on May 18-19, 252 bikes were securely parked at the San Diego Bike Coalition bike valet corral funded by the SB Chamber of Commerce. In view of this success, Kristin Brinner asked that the City continue to work with the SDCBC to provide bike parking at popular city-wide events in the future. Dan Goldberg will take this request to Assistant City Manager Dan King. 
2. About 15 riders joined the Tour of Solana Beach on May 25, a lower number than we’d anticipated, but everyone enjoyed our pleasant ride through our city by the sea.
3. On May 26 about 50 riders, young and old, pedaled together on a Family Fun Ride short route that included the Coastal Rail Trail and adjacent neighborhoods.  
4. Here are some stats from the month-long Walking Scavenger Hunt: 
   • 230 people registered
   • 74 completed the hunt. 60% are past participants of the past 3 Bicycle Scavenger Hunts; 40% are new
   • 75% of the participants have 92075 zip codes
   • And—responses to the Scavenger Hunt were overwhelmingly enthusiastic
5. Thanks to Cindi Clemons and the Solana Beach Civic and Historical Society for the raffle prize donation of 6 books, including 4 about SB history and 2 about monarch butterflies.
6. The Scavenger Hunt raffle will take place Friday, June 7, at 7:00 pm PST on Zoom.