Do you ever use a bicycle to get around San Diego? (Marina: neighborhood, parking)

[kettlepot]

Originally Posted by sdurbanite

Maybe they should build elevated bike paths in the center of all the freeways?

That would be SOOO cool. And along the 805 it would eliminate that great descent and climb back out of Mission Valley.

San Diego actually has a bicycling element as part of its General Plan, and piece by piece parts of it are being implemented. Close to your home, the Aldine Drive Slope restoration project which is building a retaining wall on the western stretch of Aldine Drive going up into Kensington, is going to widen the road just enough to include a class 2 bicycle lane. Not a big addition to our bicycle routes, but bit by bit, over the next decades San Diego will put together a better bicycle path network.

[1AngryTaxPayer]

Originally Posted by sdurbanite

Also take into account that most of the cities in the top 10 are either flat as a pancake and are much smaller in physical size. Minneapolis, for example is only 54 square miles, while SD is 324 square miles.

I live about 14 miles from where I work, and I'd love to bike to work on some days. But that would mean I'd have to bike in and out of Mission Valley, San Clemente Canyon and Sorrento Valley, which might be too strenuous for a novice. Not to mention, our lack of long, uninterupted streets that crisscross the city.

Maybe they should build elevated bike paths in the center of all the freeways?

Too bad they didn't plan that when those freeways were built.

[sdurbanite]

Originally Posted by kettlepot

That would be SOOO cool. And along the 805 it would eliminate that great descent and climb back out of Mission Valley.

San Diego actually has a bicycling element as part of its General Plan, and piece by piece parts of it are being implemented. Close to your home, the Aldine Drive Slope restoration project which is building a retaining wall on the western stretch of Aldine Drive going up into Kensington, is going to widen the road just enough to include a class 2 bicycle lane. Not a big addition to our bicycle routes, but bit by bit, over the next decades San Diego will put together a better bicycle path network.

That sounds great, although riding up Aldine from Fairmount might be a bit strenuous for me and others. I noticed there is already a path along Fairmount from the 8 freeway uphill to Talmadge(?).

What I'd really love to see is a bike path along the San Diego River from Santee Lakes thru Mission Trails Park all the way to OB/Mission Bay. Now that would be cool.

[ranzchic]

I heard from the last SD bicycle city plan meeting(last Wednesday, I think) that they want to build a separated bicycle path that parallels the 15. That would be cool a cool alternative to Texas Street.

Right now, your only choices are the busy Texas St and the far away Bachman Pl to get down to MV.

[randplaty]

I used to commute to work cycling but my wife won't let me anymore.

San Diego is a great town for recreational or competitive cycling, but for commuting it isn't great. The infrastructure isn't there and there are a ton of HILLS. Hills just make a short commute by car much much longer by bicycle. My commute was 7 miles of pure hills and it took me 50 minutes in the beginning. Of course it does make you in better shape, but 50 minutes to travel 7 miles?

[ranzchic]

If you're like me who works out, I just look as it as 50 minutes I won't be spending on a threadmill.

Which route are you talking about, btw?

[luvSD]

There are a fair amount of people biking around San Diego, but most bike for recreational purposes. This give you more freedom as to which route to take and you can bike in packs so it's more safe. Weather in San Diego is nice almost all year round so there are lots of biking assoications to join up with.

As to biking to work, that does happen but very rarely (about 5% of SD walk, bike to work). Many students who live close to university bike because once you get into campus, the roads are nicer and you can zip across campus easier. Also, parking is very bad and expensive so biking is the perfect answer.

Another problem with biking in SD (in addition to the inconsiderate drivers) is that there are many valleys and hills. This is fine if you want recreational biking, but if you just want to get to work, sometimes it seems unreasonable to do so much work just to get to work.

Check here and links within:

Bike San Diego

[John-313]

Great links! Thanks!

[ickingfudiot]

I bike to work daily, but I live and work downtown, so it's an easy ride down Island from East Village to the Marina area.

My experience is fairly positive but when I moved here initially I considered Hillcrest/North Park with the intent of trying to bike to/from downtown every day and I just don't see it now.. too many crazy drivers and not enough safe paths. Probably doable if you mapped it out really well ahead of time, but I'd probably just suck it up and get a parking space somewhere if I made the move.

For now though, I love it - quick 5-7 minute bike across downtown and as long as you stick to side streets like Island it's a breeze, and it's always nice out.

[f_m]

Originally Posted by 1AngryTaxPayer

Too bad they didn't plan that when those freeways were built.

If you live by the 56 then there is a path there, but that's the newest (though short) freeway.