HomeMy WebLinkAbout16 - Installation of Bicycle Sharrows in Corona del Mar�EWPORr CITY OF
NEWPORT BEACH
9 "F�RN City Council Staff Repot Agenda Item No. 16
July 10, 2012
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: Public Works Department
Stephen G. Badum, Public Works Director
949 -644 -3311, sbadum @newportbeachca.gov
PREPARED BY: Brad Sommers, bsommers(o)newportbeachca.gov
APPROVED:
TITLE: Installation of Bicycle Shared Lane Markings (Sharrows) on Coast
Highway in Corona del Mar
ABSTRACT:
As more roadway users turn to bicycling for commuting and recreation, roadways within
the City are being reviewed for possible bicycle facility improvements. Of the areas
reviewed, Coast Highway within Corona del Mar proves to be challenging to cyclists.
Installation of Shared Lane Markings (Sharrows) along this section has been
recommended by the Citizens Bicycle Safety Committee to increase motorist
awareness of bicycle activity while promoting proper bicycle roadway position.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
1. Receive and file the letter to the Newport Beach City Council in support of
installation of Sharrows from the Citizens Bicycle Safety Committee,
2. As desired by the City Council, provide direction to Staff to proceed with design
of Sharrow deployment on Coast Highway from MacArthur Boulevard to Poppy
Avenue and creation of an outreach and education program, as recommended
by the Citizens Bicycle Safety Committee;
3. As desired by the City Council, approve installation of Sharrows on Coast
Highway from MacArthur Boulevard to Poppy Avenue per the guidelines of the
California Manual of Traffic Control Devices;
Installation of Bicycle Shared Lane Markings (Sharrows) on Coast Highway in Corona
del Mar
July 10, 2012
Page 2
FUNDING REQUIREMENTS
The current adopted budget includes sufficient funding for this purchase. It will be
expensed to the Citywide Street Signage, Striping and Marking account in the Public
Works Department, 7013- C3002016.
DISCUSSION:
Sharrows are an approved traffic control device per the Manual of Uniform Traffic
Control Devices and are intended to alert drivers to the presence of cyclists while
promoting proper bicycle roadway position when there is no option for a bike lane.
Additionally, Sharrows reinforce a cyclist's legal right to share a lane with vehicles, but
do not grant additional privileges to the cyclists. In essence, the Sharrow marking
reinforces the need for motorists and cyclists to share the road.
As shown in the letter to the Newport Beach City Council (Attachment B), installation of
Sharrow markings along this segment of Coast Highway is endorsed by the Citizens
Bicycle Safety Committee.
Although Sharrows have been installed on Bayside Drive within Newport Beach and
deployed in several other jurisdictions, such as Oceanside, Long Beach, Los Angeles,
Laguna Beach and several other large cities, the concept is still relatively new to
Orange County motorists and cyclists. For this reason, staff recommends an extensive
outreach program to both inform and educate residents and commuters about Sharrows
and the Coast Highway installation,
Members of the Citizens Bicycle Safety Committee presented the Sharrow concept to
the Corona del Mar Residents Association and the Corona del Mar Business
Improvement District and received support from both groups.
Staff has also received comments from area residents concerned the deployment of
Sharrows will create more congestion on Coast Highway. Although Staff does not
foresee a significant increase in bicycle usage of this segment of Coast Highway and,
therefore, does not predict a significant reduction of vehicular capacity, the installation
of Sharrows may create additional delay.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW:
Staff recommends the City Council find this project exempt from the California
Environmental Quality Act ( "CEQA ") pursuant to Section 15301 (for the repair,
maintenance and /or minor alteration of existing public facilities with negligible
expansion) of the CEQA Guidelines, California Code of Regulations. Title 14, Chapter 3,
because it has no potential to have a significant effect on the environment.
IN
Installation of Bicycle Shared Lane Markings (Sharrows) on Coast Highway in Corona
del Mar
July 10, 2012
Page 3
NOTICING:
The agenda item has been noticed according to the Brown Act (72 hours in advance of
the meeting at which the City Council considers the item).
Submitted by:
ft .n G. Badum
lic Works Director
A. Exhibit A — Proposed Coast Highway Sharrow Layout in CDM
B. Letter to Council from the Citizens Bicycle Safety Committee
141 P .�
�� N " Xl
Iol
TYPICAL BLOCK LAYOUT
DOOR ZONE LANE LINE
I
12 �A�� r PARKING'T'
-I + ,I
]• VEkiICLE
CURB LINE
SHARROW LAYOUT
A
112 in nA �
r%Up d 72 In
d YY000
�— 40 in —I
SHARROW DETAIL
IS
1 j
_ 1`
PROPOSED COAST HWY
SHARROW LAYOUT IN CDM
EXHIBIT A
M
To: City of Newport Beach City Council June 4, 2012
From: Citizens Bicycle Safety Committee
Re: Sharrow Pavement Marking Installation on Coast Highway in Corona del Mar
After a great deal of consideration, the Citizens Bicycle Safety Committee has endorsed the
placement of Shared Lane Pavement Markings "Sharrows" on Coast Highway in Corona del Mar
from MacArthur Boulevard to Poppy Avenue to promote bicycle and motorist safety along this
congested segment of the highway. Sharrows are an approved traffic control device per the
Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices and are intended to alert drivers to the presence of
cyclists while promoting proper bicycle roadway position when there is no option for a bike
lane. Additionally, Sharrows reinforce a cyclist's legal right to share a lane with vehicles, but do
not grant additional privileges to the cyclists. In essence, the Sharrow marking reinforces the
need for motorists and cyclists to share the road.
Initial research on the deployment of Sharrows within Newport Beach was done by the Bicycle
Safety Task Force. Their research led to a recommendation for installation of Sharrows along
Coast Highway within Corona del Mar (MacArthur Boulevard to Poppy Avenue). Since then, the
City has deployed Sharrows along Bayside Drive. Members of the committee have also visited
various cities where Sharrows are in use including San Diego, Los Angeles, Long Beach, and
Laguna Beach.
Through the process, Public Works staff has reviewed this segment of Coast Highway and
determined the roadway characteristics fit within the established guidelines, allowing
installation of the pavement markings. Additionally, a review by the City Attorney's office
determined installation of Sharrows would not increase the City's liability for a "dangerous
condition of public property ".
Further outreach has been performed in Corona del Mar through presentations to the CdM
Residents Association and the Corona del Mar Business Improvement District. Both groups
supported the idea. The BID felt that sharrows could increase the "village" feel.
Should the Council approve installation of Sharrows, the committee feels public outreach would
be vital to their success. This could include creation of a FAQ letters to be distributed to local
home owners associations, information in the City Manager's newsletter and on NBTV, press
releases, and signage, both temporary and permanent.
Thank you for your consideration.
Citizens Bicycle Safety Committee
Committee Members: Michael Alti, Lou Cohen, Nancy Gardner (Chair), Robert Kahn, Denis LaBonge,
Sean Matsler, Frank Peters, Tony Petros
I
Brown, Leilani
From: Corona del Mar Residents Association [Info @Comra.org]
Sent: Tuesday, July 10, 2012 8:22 AM
To: Gardner, Nancy "RECEIVED AFTER AGENDA
Cc: Kiff, Dave; Badum, Steve; Johnson, Jay; Brown, Leilani PRINIITEf;." j4o
Subject: July 10 City Council Meeting: Sharrows Item #16
Attachments: Letter Cycling Committee 1102.pdf % I
!feel it is important to clarify a few points before the Council reviews Tuesday's agenda item on Coast Hwy
Sharrows through Corona del Mar.
The staff report on this agenda items states that:
Further outreach has been performed in Corona del Mar through presentations to the CdM Residents Association and the
Corona del Mar Business Improvement District. Both groups supported the idea.
That comment is somewhat misleading. As our attached March. 2011 letter states, the support was based on a vote
of board members who attended our Febr uary 2012 Board meeting, and did NOT reflect any results ofoutreach
efforts to our members. The Board member who made the motion on this vote did so in the hopes that traffic
through town would be slowed as a result of a implementing sharrows.
CdMRA did publish an article in ourApri12011 Newsletter that went to 6300 households, and we did invite the
Bicycle Safety Committee to speak at our 2011 Annual Town Meeting. Our 2011 Annual Meeting minutes reflect
wide - ranging opinions on this topic during the Q&A thatfollowed the committee's presentation. Emails we have
received on this topic run the gamut of resident support. Since the Bicycle Committee failed to find support for
sharrows among themselves, we discontinued our efforts on public outreach. Then on May 7, 2012, the Bicycle
Committee voted to seek council approval to proceed with sharrows, and we now see that the matter has been
schedule for a council vote at their July 10 meeting. Given the accelerated pace that this issue moved from
committee to council, we have not conducted specific membership outreach on this topic this year.
Often cited in member emails are concerns about flagrant violations of the rules of the road along Coast Highway,
whether motorists, cyclists and pedestrians. We have motorists who roll through stop signs on theflower streets,
fail to yield to pedestrians in crosswalks, and generally travel faster than the posted speed limits through the
village. We have cyclists who run red lights all along Coast Hwy and stop signs on flower streets, ride their bikes
in crosswalks and on our sidewalks, and ride double or triple breasted in the traffic lanes both in and out of bike
lanes. We have pedestrians who refuse to walk the extrafew yards to controlled intersections, crossing in the
middle of the street through the planted medians, and pedestrians who cross at intersections right in front of
posted signs No Ped -Xing Here ... Proceed to Crosswalk ".
We've met with the representatives of the Police Department at various Board meetings and at our Town Meetings
and discussed these concerns. But at the end of the day, we see little progress toward safer streets through Corona
del Mar, and have concerns about the implementation of sharrows with so many outstanding safety issues
unresolved.
The staff report also states: Should the Council approve installation of Sharrows, the committee feels public outreach would
be vital to their success.
We certainly agree with Staffs position on public outreach, though we would have preferred to do it in advance of
Council's ruling on this matter. We are willing and able to conduct all email poll of our 80o members if you think
that insight would be helpful to you.
I am not available to attend tonight's council meeting, so wanted to get this to you by email in case you want to
discuss further beforehand. Let me know if you want me to forward this email to the entire council before tonight's
meeting, and I will do so.
Thank you.
Xazrezz �2rizzgazlz'
949.719.9390 P/F
Corona. del -Mar Residents Association
PO Box 1 500 1 Corona del Mar, CA 92625 1 Please visit our website at: www.cdmra.ora
Al anu-A Ct(417-
RESIDE�IS ASSOCIATION
Volunteers working since 1987 to protect, preserve and improve our community's quality of life.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS:
PRESIDENT:
Kurrn T,inileli
VICE PRE IDENT:
March 1, 2011
DA. Allen
TREASURER:
Alaq ie S,l' "'e,
Bicycle Safety Committee
SECRETARY:
c% Mayor Pro Tem Nancy Gardner, Chair
FBe,,M], Tu,ell'
cc: Steve Badum, Staff Liason
D,,,,BA,, : The Corona del Mar Residents Association CdMRA Board of Directors voted
Dannis Bukcr - ( )
Pnul B,vduo unanimously at its February 2011 meeting to support the Bicycle Safety
Bun re Buucrmo„ h Committee's recommendation to use sharrow markings on Coast Highway
Bnnnic Duckm+r,h through Corona del Mar (Begonia Avenue to Hazel Drive).
Puul Glmrienk,
Bud Rimer Normally, the Board conducts member and resident outreach to seek consensus
Alithucl R,,,g,, before it officially weighs in on civic issues. However, after hearing the
Elv,,bahT,,,.»i presentation made by Bicycle Safety Committee Members Sean Matsler and
Tony Petros, the Board felt it was appropropriate to support the sharrows
r „I Sk�,�
IRI trTERRA CE: proposal because it is intended as an educational and awareness program and
B,,nie S,,ds„�d is in the best interest of all who use Coast Highway.
HARBOR VIEW HILLS: In listening to the speakers and the questions asked after their presentation, we
Dd,,o Allen learned that the Bicycle Safety Committee's focus was to improve safety on our
roads and increase the use of bicycces throughout Newport Beach, not just for
CORONA HIGHLANDS: recreation but also as an alternate and more environmentally conscious means
C„Ifi. "'W °, of transportion.
SHORE Haskell : We also learned that the California Vehicle Code is very specific about the rules
Sandie r {„ :kcal Y P
and rights governing both motor vehicles and bicycles. The sharrows project
CA HIED HIGHLANDS: does not change any existing laws or introduce any new laws, but rather seeks
Ahup,i,: Sn.:le, to improve safety through the use of highly visiable signage intended to increase
K,,en Tnng„li awareness that both motorists and cyclists may be travelling in the same traffic
lane. This is particularly important in Corona del Mar since Coast Highway
CIAIEO SHORES presents several challenges to safe passage: no bike lane for cyclists, and on-
op", street parking which creates a safety issue by doors being opened directly in the
MEMBERS AT LARGE:
path of cyclists.
THE TERRACES We will continue to work with Bicycle Safety Committee to develop outreach and
Aln,y.n., Rrrk j/' educational opportunities for Corona del Mar residents. This is certainly a case
R ne,,, Kvh/nninn where the greater good is served by improving roadway safety for all who travel
through Corona del Mar.
fASI1l:VE CREEK
Bill Simons Sincerely,
B,nff Boa,dsl”
11'EB.SITF.:
n n n.nlmre. o,B
Board of Directors
rALAIL: Corona del Mar Residents Association
Info I d,m¢.n,g
PHONE:
939.719.9390
3334 Ener Coast Highirnr #179 CN P.O. Bo.s 1500 &J Corona del.11m, Cnlifmnin 91615
a rF
lu_iukTS :�zx:u:vlu�
I'oharteers ntorking sines 193' to protect, preserve and improi�e our conm+:ulity :c Ipmlitp oflife.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
PRESIDENT:
We also learned that the California Vehicle Code is very specific about the rules
ry P
Aarro Tnnyali
and rights governing both motor vehicles and bicycles. The sharrows project
17CE PRESIDE \'L
March 1, 2011
Drhm Anon
to improve safety through the use of highly visiable signage intended to increase
TREASURER:
awareness that both motorists and cyclists may be travelling in the same traffic
AI ^ri ^ ^`sanr�
Bicycle Safety Committee
SECRETARL
c% Mayor Pro Tam Nancy Gardner, Chair
Eh,ro,,h To,,dh
cc: Steve Badum, Staff Liason
cJ. +1MICE: The Corona del Mar Residents Association CdMRA Board of Directors voted
Urn NS Bukv ( )
Paul Rarilau unanimously at its February 2011 meeting to support the Bicycle Safety
B,,q,Bnarrnnoh Committee's recommendation to use sharrow markings on Coast Highway
Boon;, Durknonh through Corona del Mar (Begonia Avenue to Hazel Drive).
Puul Glm'�rnkc
BuJ Rusnrr Normally, the Board conducts member and resident outreach to seek consensus
Arnl ° "Ir °`r�` before it officially weighs in on civic issues. However, after hearing the
Eh..�hr,h r ^rrlr presentation made by Bicycle Safety Committee Members Sean Matsler and
IAJ7.%E TERR.ICEa Tony Petros, the Board felt it was appropropriate to support the sparrows
ca Skoro proposal because it is intended as an educational and awareness program and
S,,Iwd is in the best interest of all who use Coast Highway.
HARBOR '01 111115. In listening to the speakers and the questions asked after their presentation, we
n�,ro Aurn learned that the Bicycle Safety Committee's focus was to improve safety on our
roads and increase the use of bicylces throughout Newport Beach, not just for
CORD \'A HIGHLANDS: recreation but also as an alternate and more environmentally conscious means
CaaJrrrn "' oftransportion.
sncrRE alFFS:
smnro nn,;^n
We also learned that the California Vehicle Code is very specific about the rules
ry P
AInp,r: Rp.ko,,7
and rights governing both motor vehicles and bicycles. The sharrows project
CUIE0 HIGHLANDS:
does not change any existing laws or introduce any new laws, but rather seeks
JI ^�i..r scn. "",
to improve safety through the use of highly visiable signage intended to increase
sarra T iopli
awareness that both motorists and cyclists may be travelling in the same traffic
lane. This is particularly important in Corona del Mar since Coast Highway
CdurO SHORES
presents several challenges to safe passage: no bike lane for cyclists, and on-
()P,^
street parking which creates a safety issue by doors being opened directly in the
.11EMBERSATLiRGE:
path of cyclists.
THE TERRACES
We will continue to work with Bicycle Safety Committee to develop outreach and
AInp,r: Rp.ko,,7
educational opportunities for Corona del Mar residents. This is certainly a case
R•brr,o Kohlmam,
where the greater good is served by improving roadway safety for all who travel
through Corona del Mar.
JASMINE CREFK
Since,
o,n,...lro —org
Board of Dir,96tors
Eu:ur.:
Corona de War Residents Association
Inl "nrrmmraurq
PIIU\'E:
949.719.9390
3334 Eat Com't High ,v9 r #179 Cal P.O. Box I X00 £0 Corono dd.11ar, Cal forno, 9262;
(Shared Lane Markings)
Public Works Department
What is a Sparrow?
Pavement marking that may be deployed
where a bicycle lane cannot be installed and
the lane is too narrow for a vehicle and
bicycle to share side -by -side.
Approved Traffic Control Device per the
California Manual of Uniform Traffic Control
Devices (MUTCD)
MI'�• ^ _Y /a lam•
�1..
..��
�►
c ' c� \��
Why Sparrows?
Promote sharing of the roadway for motorists
and cyclists;
Promotes better bicycle and vehicle lane
position effectively reducing "dooring" and
improper passing accidents;
Increase motorist awareness of potential
cyclist activity;
Potential issues
May be confusing for motorists, education
May encourage additional use, however most
use recreational during off peak, non -
commuting hours
Potential false sense of safety, similar to
crosswalks, we still need to encourage
common sense, ie; keeping right when no
parked cars are present
Sharrows on Coat Highway
(Corona del Mar)
Newport Beach
Recommended
resolve cycling
Corona del Mar
Task Force for Cycling Safety:
consideration of Sharrows to
issues alon Coast Hwy in
. (May 2010
Citizens Bicycle Safety Committee: Approved
recommendation to City Council for Sharrow
installation on Coast Hwy from MacArthur Blvd
to Poppy Ave. (May 2 01 2)
Coast Hwy from MacArthur Blvd and Poppy Ave
meets the MUCTD criteria for Sharrow
installation.
Sharrows on Coat Highway
(Corona del Mar)
r +
Ice
a r a' i t + iU
AMW-
TYPICAL BLOCK LAYOUT
7 LANE LINE A/\,
�'DOOR ZONE Jl-
17 3 %> �PARKINGT T
112 in
14 72In
I v-mc.
CURB LINE 401n —{
SHARROW LAYOUT SHARROW DETAIL
1
PROPOSED COAST HWY
SHARROW LAYOUT IN CDM
EXHIBIT A