Update: Dec. 11, 2008 — That “No Bikes” marking on El Monte Road in Los Altos Hills has b
een covered up and will be removed early next week, says the city's Public Works director.
In a letter to Bob Shanteau of the Silicon Valley Bike Coalition, Richard Chiu explains that the markings were installed to direct cyclists to a bike path through the college.
“It was brought to our attention that some drivers may act more aggressively towards bicyclist with the markings in place. “
You can see the effort that went into overturning the road marking decision at the Silicon Valley Bike Coalition forum. It's another case where it pays to have an active bicycle club looking out for cyclists' interests. Good job.
More at Cyclelicious
Bicyclists in Los Altos Hills, California, are all fired up about a “No Bikes” sign stenciled on a local road.
Considering that California law doesn't allow cities to make rules about bicycling, and bikes are only prohibited on freeways, it appears the Los Altos city fathers are way out of line.
John at the “Holier Than You Blog” rides this road frequently and sums up the issue simply:
“Given that El Monte Road is not a freeway, their little stunt is, umm… ILLEGAL.”
City Council
A South Bay Cycling Listserv contributor contacted the Los Altos Public Works director, who said the council directed him to do this because of safety issues and the existence of a bike route through the adjacent college.
I checked into the recent Los Altos Hills city council meeting minutes and agendas online and could only find a discussion about speed limits on El Monte Road and environmental impacts of a bicycle pathway along El Monte. Nothing about banning bicycles, not even in a Merc article about the speed limit flap.
The city official promised to look into the issue and review it with the City Council after studying an analysis of California bicycle laws.
Photo above by gmcpheeters at flickr.com; a Cyclelicious tweet pointed up the issue
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