With that in mind, here's a default route if we can't come up with anything better:

http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=1194489.

Also, do folks think we'll be able to drum up the same level of support on 8/8 or should we wait a little while longer?

We might end up getting really pinched/backed up in the Speedy Reedy parking lot.

What if we were to continue on Northlake Way, turn left on Northlake Place, and then left on 34th so we can make a right at the light back onto Stoneway.... after coming to a complete foot down stop, of course.



Also, do folks think we'll be able to drum up the same level of support on 8/8 or should we wait a little while longer?

If cars don't stop, I don't know whether we just keep waiting, or we do the left turn thing I suggested previously. If anyone's interested, we could probably do a test run with a few bikes and a couple of walkers and see what happens.

Oh look, I made a route map. This is for a ride up Stone Way with just bikes.

By the way, does someone want to volunteer to ride up to the top of this loop and verify for me that the Allen/Midvale/44th turnaround makes sense? For all I know there is a big median to prevent the left turn off Stone. We can always change it to a 44th/Midvale/43rd turnaround instead.

Sure, I'll go check it out in a few minutes - answers by 6pm.

BTW- Another good resource for this is http://local.live.com/
Flip to the Bird's Eye View and you get some good hi-res photos that Microsoft had taken from an airplane last summer.

It looks okay from those photos and my memory says that it is good from the last time I went through there, but I'll ride it again in a few minutes.

That route looks good.

Two comments:
1. Might be better to extend it all the way up to 45th, and both turnaround points are fine in terms of pavement, clearance, and being free of barricades. I like 45th because it exposes us to the "friendly neighborhood parking lot" of 45th, we have an uncongested turning lane to head back south, and it lets cyclists see where the real congestion is that the Stone Way businesses are worried about. (more about that below)

2. The southern turnaround point is quite sharp and happens right after crossing a set of railroad tracks. I couldn't make the turn in one movement at speed. If on the other hand we turn into the Speedy Reedy lot, there are two places where we can turn around, but then we intersect at a stop sign with what is usually a nice little line of cars. Either would work. Neither are ideal.

John from Feet First here. Exciting to see so much passion around this issue!

We've been advocating for a safer Stone Way for some time now, along with the folks at PedInroads and many others. We even did a crossing action with our mascot, the chicken, to dramatize the many issues involved with safely crossing Stone Way in its current south-of-40th configuration (more details available at our Web site, www.feetfirst.info)

I'm working to see what we can do to turn out some pedestrians for another 'event' (can't really say ride, not for us peds :)) on Stone Way. I am intrigued by the notion of showing the importance of safe stopping distances and yielding to pedestrians, since both of those are really, really good driver education reminders.

Thanks for everything all of you have done and are doing to keep this issue front-and-center.

John Stewart
Board President, Feet First

You mean you want us to turn left on 45th and then, what, turn left off 45th onto Midvale Avenue? I chose to avoid this maneuver so we wouldn't have to turn left across two arterials (Stone and 45th).

Agreed about the southern turnaround point, which is why I suggested taking the Burke as alternative #3. Of course, then the turn back is an even sharper 180 degrees. Another alternative might be 35th/Woodland Park/34th.

Same here. Seeing the traffic backup that we had on 34th last time, I don't know that there is any "best" southern turnaround point, and for the purposes of getting us back up onto Stone Way, maybe we should keep your map as the "official" route but then suggest all four turnaround options to keep us moving? Or is that too confusing?

Also, I'm dubious we'll have as many people this Wednesday as last.

I have a first stab at fliers and some more sign ideas to affix to bikes.

If you'd like to give feedback, PM me and I'll shoot a copy your way.

Please make the message SIMPLE and UNIFIED.

I had so many people complaining to me at work (I'm the bike guy) that there were all these bike terrorists out clogging traffic.

I don't know how anyone gets a correct view of what is happening from the 10 second TV news clips and newspaper headlines. Were you able to explain what was going on to them, or do they still think we are terrorists?

...if we are just viewed as pains in the ass, we need a different approach. I do think that most of the people that we encountered left with a better understanding and were supportive, but that message doesn't always reach a broader audience.

I like the Sharrows and 4 lanes. Bikes just take the entire right lane.

I don't know how anyone gets a correct view of what is happening from the 10 second TV news clips and newspaper headlines. Were you able to explain what was going on to them, or do they still think we are terrorists?

...if we are just viewed as pains in the ass, we need a different approach. I do think that most of the people that we encountered left with a better understanding and were supportive, but that message doesn't always reach a broader audience.

I like the Sharrows and 4 lanes. It seem safer. Bikes just take the entire right lane. It becomes our bike lane! Then we can ride outside of the door zone and not get into trouble with the parked cars. It is not safe or easy to ride 2 abreast in a narrow 3 or 5 foot bike lane. The city should move the sharrow symbol into the center of the right lane so the car tires do not wear it away.

What we're asking for is that the City reinstate its original rechannelization plan, which calls for a road dieted configuration (two lanes with a two-way center turn lane) along with a bicycle lane in the uphill direction (climbing lane) and sharrows on the downhill direction. It is correct that there is not enough space to have standard bike lanes on both sides, but that's not a bad thing in this case. The current thinking is that sharrows on downhill segments where there's parking can help keep cyclists out of the door zone.

By the way, the Fremont Chamber of Commerce (the Suzie Burke-led group that has spearheaded the blockade of the Stone Way bike lanes) will be meeting on August 15th at History House on 34th Street at 5pm. They are then doing a Ride The Ducks tour until 7:30. Perhaps they'll be on Stone Way at the same time as us. Quack, quack...