Updated:  08.08.24

PROJECT STATUS

The project designs for the bike emergency projects were approved by City Council on January 10, 2024.  The final designs include narrow travel lanes, new designated bike lanes, new bike lane buffers, and cross-bikes, all of which are aimed at creating a comprehensive, safe, and aesthetically pleasing bicycle infrastructure for the community.  The project was advertised for construction bids in spring, 2024 and City Council awarded a construction contract on May 22, 2024.  Construction commenced in August 2024, with completion anticipated in the fall of 2024.

BACKGROUND

Due to increasing number of bike/e-bike collisions, on June 28, 2023, City Council ratified a Proclamation of Local Emergency for Bicycle, E-Bicycle and Motorized Mobility Device Safety and directed Traffic Engineering staff to review the City's traffic infrastructure to identify mobility and safety enhancements that could be implement quickly, in response to the Emergency declaration.  

Using important adopted documents, including the Local Roadway Safety Plan (LRSP), the Active Transportation Plan (ATP), and Encinitas Modal Alternative Projects (MAP), staff reviewed and analyzed existing infrastructure city wide, and identified several potential projects to help increase bicycle safety, citywide. 

The identified projects were first presented to the Mobility and Traffic Safety Commission (MTSC) on August 14, 2023.   On September 13, 2023, staff presented the potential safety enhancement projects to City Council, along with a list of potential projects and cost estimates.  City Council supported the proposed projects and directed staff to involve stakeholders and communicate with local advocacy groups, and to finalize the designs for approval. 

Outreach was conducted in October, November and December 2023 and staff returned to MTSC on November 13, 2023 to present the preliminary project designs.  MTSC unanimously supported the projects.

On January 10, 2024, following a continuation of the item at the December 13, 2023, City Council meeting, City Council approved the design of the Citywide Safety & Mobility Enhancement project and authorized staff to advertise the project for construction bids.

PROJECT AMMENITIES AND BENEFITS

The Bike Emergency and Safety Enhancement Projects include: 

New Class II Bike Lanes  
Dedicated bike lanes to create separation from vehicle travel lanes at: 
Saxony Rd.:  Encinitas Blvd. to Leichtag Foundation Ranch
Village Park Way:  Mountain Vista Dr. to Diegueno Middle School 

Bike Lane Buffers  
Dedicated bike lanes at:
Manchester Ave. (San Elijo Water Campus to I-5)
Quail Gardens Drive (Encinitas Blvd./Leucadia Blvd.)

Sharrows 
Pavement stencils indicating the roadway is shared by bicycles and vehicles at: 
Saxony Rd. (Leichtag Foundation Ranch to Leucadia Blvd.)
Requeza St. (Westlake St. to Nardo Rd.)
Nardo Rd. (Requeza St. to Santa Fe Dr.)

Cross Bike Intersection Improvements  
Dedicated area featuring high visibility greet paint for cyclists to cross next to a pedestrian crosswalk for increased visibility at: 
Encinitas Blvd./Balour Dr.
Encinitas Blvd./Via Cantebria
Santa Fe Drive/El Camino Real
Manchester Ave./Mira Costa College

Asphalt Slurry Seal 

Asphalt slurry seal will be applied on the following roads:
El Camino Real
Village Park Way
Saxony Road

• City Council awarded a construction contract on May 22, 2024.
   
• On January 10, 2024. City Council approved the plans for Safety Enhancement Projects for Bicycle Facilities, related to the Local State of Emergency on Bike and E-Bike Safety.
   
• Staff conducted several meetings with stakeholders and advocacy groups including local businesses, residents, and BikeWalk Encinitas in October, November, and December 2023.
   
• On November 13, 2023, staff presented the preliminary project designs to the MTSC and received input and feedback which was incorporated into the final designs. The MTSC unanimously supported the preliminary design of the projects 
  
  
• On September 13, 2023, staff presented potential safety enhancement projects for bicycle facilities to the City Council.
  
  
• Presentation of Potential Improvement Projects related to the Local State of Emergency on Bike and E-Bike Safety to the Mobility & Traffic Safety Commission on August 14, 2023
  
  
• City Council Ratified a Proclamation of Local Emergency for Bicycle, E-Bicycle and Motorized Mobility Device Safety at a Special City Council Meeting on June 28, 2023.