Cota Street bike lane

Public Works Director Rebecca Bjork arrived on her brand new electric bike. Mayor Murillo brought the scissors. City Council members Gregg Hart and Kristen Sneddon came to show their support. A dozen enthusiastic bike riders cheered them on as everyone celebrated this new bicycle infrastructure – the City’s first protected bike lane.

The new bike lane extends westward from Quarantina St to Chapala, the perfect complement to the eastbound Haley Street bike lane. A first in other regards – 36 parking places were removed along Cota to make room for the extra-wide bike lane. Students of bicycle best practices know, it’s separated and protected bike infrastructure than encourages more people to travel by bike.

The waist-high plastic bollards that line the lane won’t keep an errant motorist out, but this simple treatment has been proven to inspire safer riding conditions. Here’s hoping all future bike lanes are similarly configured.