Vista bike lanes spark division, debate

Council votes to remove asphalt berms on parts of Melrose Drive but continues broader rollout of protected bike lanes despite public opposition

New protected bike lanes along Melrose Drive in Vista have sparked massive debate among residents and the City Council regarding safety and efficiency for motorists and cyclists. Steve Puterski photo

VISTA — An emotional, heated and at times dramatic meeting ended with the City Council continuing the controversial protected bike lane deployment on Melrose Drive.

The council spent more than three hours listening to speakers and debating the issue, while Councilman Dan O’Donnell was able to pass a motion to remove the berms between Shadowridge and Dawson drives on both sides of Melrose Drive and remove the berms and install flex posts from Dawson Drive to Faraday along Melrose Drive.

He said the downhill grade makes it unsafe as cyclists can reach top speeds, and there are concerns with the accessibility from the fire station. O’Donnell stressed the need for data, further analysis and how the city can make the area safer for both cyclist and motorists.

The item was brought forward by Mayor John Franklin after massive public backlash to the protected bike lanes, also known as a cycle track, along many parts of Melrose Drive in the northbound and southbound lanes.

The city installed the bike lanes several weeks ago and residents were caught off guard as many called for their total removal, especially on social media. However, Councilwomen Corinna Contreras and Katie Melendez would not support any removals.

Vista is the 14^th jurisdiction to install a cycle track, according to the San Diego Bike Coalition.

“I’ve heard a number of cyclists detail how these are a danger,” Mayor John Franklin said. “There are already a number of vehicle collisions. These asphalt berms are designed to collapse, but cannot prevent a vehicle going over them. I think they’re dangerous. I think this is a big wakeup call for drivers with 18 new roundabouts, speed humps and lane reductions.”

Several of the biggest concerns from residents is how vehicles would pull over with car trouble or respond to an emergency vehicle with the asphalt berms acting as barriers, along with how the city will keep the cycle track clean.

Contreras said the city’s contractor will manually clean the lanes once every two weeks.