What I'd Like to See There are several things bicyclists in the area would like to see to improve safety, access, and usability. This includes connecting more paved bike trails in park areas without motorists (Sacramento, Placer, and Yolo Counties), and safety improvements in bike paths on streets (Sacramento County). Your comments are welcome. More Paved Bike Trails A. Folsom Lake Shore Extend the American River Bike Trail from Beal's Point State Park on Folsom Lake at least to Granite Bay State Park at the end of Douglas Boulevard on Folsom Lake in Placer County. It would be better to extend the paved trail northeast past Granite Bay State Park along Folsom Lake and the American River North Fork to the end of the water at lake level. There is already a dirt/mud road with 4-wheel drive and mountain bike access along Folsom Lake and the North Fork. It would just be a case of paving what is there (with some fill to a 7% grade) to improve accessibility for hybrid bikes, racing bikes, and joggers for exercise and an absolutely beautiful ride. The mountain bike trail continues along the North Fork to Tahoe. B. Lake Natoma Loop Extend the paved bike trail to complete the Lake Natoma Loop from the Old Folsom Bridge, tunnel under Riley Street (like bike tunnel under Folsom Dam Road), go over the Folsom Powerhouse State Historic Park along the street, go under the Lake Natoma Inn along the lake, to meet the existing paved trail along the south bank of Lake Natoma in Sacramento County. This would improve safety by eliminating motorist traffic from a very popular and scenic 12.2 mile bike trail loop. C. Downtown Loop Extend the paved bike trail to complete the Downtown Loop from the Pipe Bridge over the American River near 16th Street, through town to Old Sacramento State Historical Park to form a loop with the American River Bike Trail over the Jibboom Street Bridge and through Discovery Park in Sacramento County. This would improve safety by eliminating motorist traffic from what could be a popular bike trail loop for exercise and access to downtown jobs, shopping, and homes. D. Sacramento River Loop Extend the various strips of paved bike trail along the east bank of the Sacramento River from Old Sacramento State Historical Park at least to Garcia Bend Park. It would be better to extend the paved trail south along the Sacramento River to Freeport, over the Freeport Bridge, back up the west bank of the Sacramento River in Yolo County through West Sacramento, and across the Tower Bridge back to Old Sacramento State Historical Park in Sacramento County to complete the Sacramento River Loop. This would improve safety by eliminating motorist traffic from what could be a popular bike trail loop for exercise and access to downtown jobs, shopping, and homes. Bike Path Safety Improvements For a number of years now, elementary school children have been taught in science that riding a bike is a good alternative to benefit the environment (and good exercise). Yet, I am not aware that many teachers, or hardly anyone else, ride their bike to work, for a variety of good safety reasons. 1. Disappearing Bike Paths Painted bike path lines often disappear when the pavement is needed for a turning lane, or when the pavement narrows. Other times, the bike lane doesn't start after an intersection until the traffic lanes have merged. What are cyclists supposed to do? 2. Blocked Paths Bike paths are often blocked, frequently on two lane streets with a double yellow line: Trash Containers on pickup days, parked cars, delivery trucks, waiting parents in a school zone, etc. What are cyclists supposed to do except weave in and out of the traffic around the blockages? Cars with a double yellow line that yield to weaving cyclists risk a head on collision. 3. Left Hand Turns There is not much uniformity, and little provision, for how a cyclist should make a left hand turn on a street with multiple lanes. This situation is very dangerous for a cyclist. Many bike paths happen to be on major streets with multiple lanes. It seems painfully slow to walk a bike on two crosswalks, which usually takes three (3) traffic light cycles, to accomplish the effect of a left hand turn. 4. Sweeping Paths Broken glass, nails, screws, and other sharp objects collect on the side of car lanes in bike paths, and are seldom swept. Bike tires seem to attract these objects. A flat tire ruins the ride and makes one late. 5. Traffic Signals Bikes on side streets don't trigger traffic lights on major streets. When there is a car to trigger the signal, the traffic light often turns green for the opposing traffic before the cyclist has a chance to clear the intersection. 6. Midtown Abatement Project The recent traffic circles and abatement project in midtown to "mellow" traffic seem to be designed to kill cyclists, as opposed to less expensive, time tested, stop signs. Even in the wake of failing car pool lanes with lots of car pooling publicity, and a population with increasing obesity, it would seem that cycling is not a particularly high priority in our community. More paved bike trails, bike path safety improvements, and a serious State income tax credit for commuting to work on a bike would demonstrate an interest in cyclists and concern for the environment. What would it take to make bicycle access as prevalent as handicap access?