VIDEO. From the City of Half Moon Bay’s Parks and Recreation commission meeting on Wednesday, August 5th, 2021 by Zoom.
The Bicycle/Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC)
Clearly the HMB Parks and Recreation Committee are not the only ones who think about making the Coastal Trail safer to ride and walk….
Would Signage Help With Sharing and Caring While Using Our Wonderful Coastside Trail?
OWN VOICE. By David Marsland, resident of Half Moon Bay.
I love the Coastside trail. We often walk the trail, sometimes with our small dog. I also love to bicycle on the trail.
When I’m walking the trail I try hard to stay on the right and avoid taking up more than half the trail even if I’m walking with others.
When I’m bicycling on the trail I also try hard to stay to the right and use my bell to warn people that I’m coming. As I get closer I often call out “On your left”, followed by “You’re good”, then “Thanks so much”, especially if they moved to the right.
Most trail users are great and willing to share the trail between pedestrians, bicycles and, other wheeled vehicles.
Unfortunately it seems there are often groups of tourists and others who like to walk in large groups taking the entire width of the trail. These groups are often endangering themselves and others.
It boggles my mind that there’s absolutely no signage recommending that people stay on the right. It’s so simple. If people just stayed on the right and remembered that they only get to use half the width of the trail, not the whole width of the trail, then we could all share the trail harmoniously.
Recently, I was navigating the short section of trail along highway 1, where we have to detour over half a mile around the bridge closure at Miramar. There was a group in front of me of about 8 people that were blocking the entire trail. I started ringing my fairly loud bell from one end of that trail to the other. As I got closer I called out “Bike coming on your left”. Seven of the people in front moved over to the right. Unfortunately, one person lagged behind talking on his cell phone, completely blocking the path on the left hand side. I literally had to shout out “Bicycle coming, please move to the right”. He finally moved over. Then as it went past I said “Thank you”. I said to everyone in the group, “Thank you all very much, please remember to stay to the right and try to only use half the width of the trail”.
I worry that distracted people walking on the left side or in groups taking the entire width of the trail could cause injuries. Careless pedestrians could be injured or cause others to be injured when a bicycle or skateboard or scooter comes around a blind corner. Occasionally I’ll see bicycles, skateboards, or scooters on the left side too, but that’s fairly rare.
Without any signage or pavement markings saying to stay on the right accidents are literally just waiting to happen. And when accidents do happen, the parks, towns and county are opening themselves up to lawsuits.
Pavement arrows and signs are far cheaper than accidents and lawsuits.
I would like to start a movement to petition the parks, the county, and the towns of Half Moon Bay, El Granada, and Princeton to place simple arrows at trail entrances, as is common practice. On the right side the arrow points forward and on the left side the arrow points backwards.
Would you like to join me in promoting this movement? Any ideas or suggestions? Anyone know who to talk with?
Thanks,
Your Neighbor, David
david.marsland@gmail.com
New State Park Coastal Trail Signs Coming Up
NEW SIGNS. Here is a draft of the California State Park’s new Coastal Trail signs design.
Savoring the Coastal Trail
VIDEO. The Coastal Trail brings the coast together to enjoy the uncompromising beautify of the northern California coastline. There so many gorgeous trails along the coast. It can be hard to pick a favorite.
Coastal Butterfly, Michelle Dragony savors the Coastal Trail. She and her intrepid cruiser, Flame, can be spotted flitting up and down the coast daily. Watch the video as they invite you to explore their favorite sights, from Pillar Point to Half Moon Bay.
There are so many breathtaking vistas along our coast. Lately with all of the whales swimming near shore, the views are even more majestic. You can read more about whales spotted along our coast here.
What is your favorite view?
Cruise the Coastal Trail this summer. Start in the harbor or in Half Moon Bay…
Then, RENT BIKES at Bike Works in HMB on Kelly Ave, right off HWY 1.
Six miles of heaven. Use your bell, be gentle to the pedestrians.
Then, PADDLE Half Moon Bay Kayak in the harbor.
Then EAT AND DRINK at fresh fish at The Old Princeton Landing,
And great BEER at The Half Moon Bay Brewery .
Video shot by Dom Padua’s District 650 with Tom Gilmore assisting (he’s the one driving, while Dom is out the sunroof!). Video edited in Final Cut and music created in Garage Band by Dom Padua. See also to Dom’s earlier “Hand Plane” video. Dom, was 16 when he made the video and was playing football and surfs for HMBHS and loves Engineering camp. Buzz search “Dom” for more of his videos.
Watch remotely. Comments and questions by email.
Half Moon Bay Parks and Recreation Commission Agendas
The Parks and Recreation Commission advises the City Council on the full range of issues around our community’s parks, playing fields, recreation programming, and a variety of special events provided to the community.
Bicycle/Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC)
The Bicycle/Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) consists of 10 appointed members who advise the City Council, Planning Commission, and Parks and Recreation Commission regarding development, maintenance, and implementation of the City’s Bicycle & Pedestrian Master Plan and Bicycle and Pedestrian Design Guidelines. As part of implementation of the City’s General Plan Complete Streets Policy, BPAC provides advice about circulation system improvements and programs to encourage cycling and walking as a means of transportation and recreation.
The members of this committee, appointed by the City Council, the Planning Commission, and the Parks & Recreation Commission, represent the diversity of perspectives in the community that is necessary for full representation, including one each of a walking enthusiast, a commute-dependent cyclist, a recreational cyclist, an avid cyclist, an at‐large community member, a senior representative, a youth representative, a member of the Parks and Recreation Commission, a member of the Planning Commission, and a representative of the Cabrillo Unified School District (appointed by the District).
Sheri Saisi
Meetings are held on the first Thursday of odd-numbered months, with a few exceptions.
