Mount Diablo Cyclists

BREAKING NEWS: Special Thanks to State Senator Steve Glazer and Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan for pressuring California State Parks to change the completion date of the Mount Diablo Bike Turnout Project Timeline to Oct/Nov 2022! The original Completion Date of July 15, 2023 was Unacceptable!

December 22, 2021 - New Competion date: 0ct/Nov 2022 - Updated Mount Diablo Bike Turnout Project Timeline
December 8, 2021 - Letter to State Senator Glazer
November 19, 2021 - Meeting MDC & MDSP (Eddie Guaracha)
October 22, 2021 - Eddie Guaracha Reply to 7/15/23 Completion Date
October 10, 2021 - Completion Date (7/15/2023)
September 21, 2021 - Eddie Guaracha Rept to "Flawed Safety Criteria"
September 21, 2021 - (2nd Request) Flawed Safety Criteria for Prioritization of $1.5MM Bike Turnout Project Locations, Email to Eddie Guaracha, Diablo Range District Superintendent (Waiting for Promised Reply)
September 16, 2021 - "Obfuscation" of Public Documents - Letter to Armado Quintero, Director CA State Parks (Waiting For Reply)
September 14, 2021 - Northern Service Center - Email From Eddie Guaracha
September 12, 2021 - Flawed Safety Criteria for Prioritization of $1.5MM Bike Turnout Project Locations - Letter to Eddie Guaracha

The Updated Mount Diablo Bike Turnout Project Timeline was received on December 22, 2021. New Competion date: 0ct/Nov 2022. Your Voices have been Heard!!

Dear State Senator Steve Glazer, December 8, 2021 (Sent via e-mail)

Re: Mount Diablo State Park (MDSP) Bike Turnout Project

We respectfully ask you to send a letter to Armando Quintero, Director California State Parks to request compressing the timeline for the MDSP Bike Turnout Project and completing the project in 2022 (Table 1, below).

The current proposed completion date of July 15, 2023 for MDSP Bike Turnout Project is too late and the delay will significantly increase the likelihood of serious injuries and/or fatalities to Park visitors. For example, on December 1, 2021, July 3, 2021 and May 30, 2021, Park visitors Rick, Ron and Gary were seriously injured in three separate bike vs vehicle collisions. All three men were hit by a vehicle on or near a blind curve at locations identified for a bike turnout in March 2019.

Every week motorists pass cyclists on blind curves. A significant number of near-miss bike versus vehicle collisions occur at blind curves in MDSP that don’t have bike turnouts. At the Bike Turnout Ceremony on August 23, 2021 (pictured above), most hands were raised when cyclists were asked. "Please raise your hand if you've had a vehicle pass you on a blind curve."

Background: In 2016, Mount Diablo Cyclists partnered with State Senator Glazer and Assembly Member Baker to expedite the completion of the “MDSP Road Striping & Signage Project.” Three pilot bike turnouts were included. In 2018, we collaborated to install ten bike turnouts ($5,000 -paint only). On March 19, 2019, Bike Turnout Project #2019-05 was approved and signed by California State Parks, but NOT funded. In 2020, we collaborated to install four bike turnouts ($79,055). These seventeen bike turnouts are unique to Mount Diablo. In 2021, through the leadership of State Senator Glazer and Assembly Member Bauer-Kahan, $1,500,000 was included in the State Budget to complete Bike Turnout Project #2019-05.

We are asking you to make sure California State Parks uses the $1,500,000 immediately and completes the MDSP Bike Turnout Project in 2022. This is not an unrealistic expectation as the Bike Turnout Project is very straightforward and the sites have already been identified.

Along with making the driving experience more comfortable and safer for park staff and visitors, bike turnouts have the potential to reduce bike versus vehicle collisions and save lives. For more information visit mountdiablocyclists.org

Table 1. Mount Diablo State Park Bike Turnout Project Schedule

We believe the proposed completion of July 15, 2023 is unacceptable and can be reasonably compressed. This current timeline for completion shows no urgency for a serious safety concern, a matter of injury or even death from bike versus vehicle collisions. We believe several steps can be conducted in parallel vs sequential as shown and other steps simply time compressed if the project receives high priority.

Thank you for your past and on-going support for improving cyclist safety on Mount Diablo.

Sincerely, Alan Kalin, COL, USA (Ret.), President Mount Diablo Cyclists, Linda Kwong, Vice-President Mount Diablo Cyclists, Mark Dedon, President Valley Spokesmen Bicycle Club, Bruce Bilodeau, Director San Ramon High School Mount Bike Club, Jeff Eorio, Director Recreation Department (Retired), City of San Ramon, Charlie Wills, Kandice McDonald, Cyclists recently hit by vehicles on Mount Diablo – Gary Spinella (May 30, 2021) and Rick Edmondson (December 1, 2021)

CC: Susan Candell, Mayor of Lafayette, Teresa Gerringer, Vice Mayor of Lafayette, Newell Arnerich, Vice Mayor of Danville, Karen Stepper, Danville Council Member, Allen Shields, Chief Danville Police Department, Ben Alldrift, Chief Lafayette Police Department, Bob Burns, Vice-President TREK Bicycle and Dan Borenstein

*Use a Computer to view hyperlinks

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Meeting - Mount Diablo Cyclists & Mount Diablo State Park (MDSP) - Training Room - November 19, 2021

Participants: Eduardo (Eddie) Guaracha, Diablo Range District Superintendent, California State Parks, Alan Kalin, President Mount Diablo Cyclists, Linda Kwong, Vice-President Mount Diablo Cyclists, Mark Dedon, President Valley Spokesmen, Bruce Bilodeau, Coach San Ramon High School Mountain Bike Club, Jeff Eorio, Kandice McDonald and Charlie Wills

Agenda: What can California State Parks do to accelerate the pace of the bike turnout installations at Mount Diablo State Park (MDSP) to complete the project in 2022?

The current proposed completion date of July 15, 2023 for MDSP Bike Turnout Project (Table 1, below) is too late and will significantly increase the likelihood of serious injuries and/or fatalities to Park visitors. For example, on June 2, 2021 and July 3, 2021, Park visitors Gary and Ron were seriously injured in two separate bike versus vehicle collisions. Both men were hit by a vehicle on or near a blind curve at locations identified for a bike turnout in March 2019.

Every week a significant number of near-miss bike versus vehicle collisions occur at blind curves in MDSP that don’t have bike turnouts. At the Bike Turnout Ceremony on August 23, 2021, most hands were raised when cyclists were asked. "Please raise your hand if you've had a vehicle pass you on a blind curve."

We are asking California State Parks to use $1,500,000 immediately and complete the MDSP Bike Turnout Project in 2022. This is not an unrealistic expectation as the Bike Turnout Project is very straightforward and the sites have already been identified.

Table 1. Mount Diablo State Park Bike Turnout Project Schedule

We respectfully urge California State Parks to complete the installation of MDSP Bike Turnout Project in 2022. The completion date of July 15, 2023 is unacceptable as many of the timeframes described in the Project Schedule could be shortened. The delay in completing the project may result in a fatality on Mount Diablo. *Use a Computer to view hyperlinks

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October 22, 2021 - Eddie Guaracha Reply in Red below

Mr. Kalin,

What can California State Parks do to reduce the timeline and expedite the completion dates for ALL “Milestone Description” categories below? The provided estimated timeline is the best-case scenario towards the completion of the Bicycle Passing Lane Project.
When can California State Parks provide an updated/expedited “Milestone Description” to reflect completion/installation Not Later Than October 2022? There is no alternate project timeline for the Bicycle Passing Lane Project.

Estimate Summary: 1, 2, & 3. The updated budget estimate breakdown for the Bicycle Passing Lane Project: Design, Management, Bidding, Construction Management/Support, Inspection: $364,000

Public Works Contract, Contingencies (Unforeseen costs): $1,136,000

Total Budget: $1,500,000

Explain each category, provide details, documents, surveys, maps, photos/videos, etc. from State Parks and/or consultants. These documents are not available at this time. The documents will be available once we reach a respective milestone for the project. Each milestone will render documentation towards the completion of the project. The boring is taking place in November of 2021. For example, the Geotech report is projected to be available in March of 2022. This doesn’t mean we go directly into design but initiates discussions with company performing the Geotech report with the park designers. Northern Service Center (NSC) Staff will initiate site investigation utilizing the information gathered from this report for each of the proposed bike turnouts.
Exactly who is spending the money and what they are doing? The Northern Service Center is managing the project. They are responsible for Design, Management, Bidding, Construction Management/Support, and Inspection of the project. Mount Diablo State Park Staff or Diablo Range District Staff will not code staff time to this project but will provide support as needed.
How much money is being paid to California State Parks employees and/or departments, consultants for their work on this project? The boring report cost is not being deducted from the $1.5 million. The boring report cost will be paid by the Road Repair Phase I Deferred Maintenance Project funding. This will have direct benefit for the Bicycle Passing Lane Project. Approximately $364,000 is set aside for Design, Management, Bidding, Construction Management/Support, Inspection.
How much money would be saved if Bike Turnout Project #2019-05 was completed/ installed Not Later Than October 2022 or earlier? I cannot speculate on your hypothetical question. You have been provided the Bicycle Passing Lane Project timeline and estimated cost.

Thank you and have a good weekend.

Eduardo (Eddie) Guaracha, Diablo Range District Superintendent, California State Parks, 15751 Tesla Road, Livermore, CA 94550, (925) 455- 7872

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October 10, 2021

Eduardo (Eddie) Guaracha, Diablo Range District Superintendent California State Parks (Sent via e-mail)

RE: Completion Date (7/15/2023) $1,500,000 Bike Turnout Project #2019-05 (MDSP)

Mr. Guaracha,

Background:

In 2016, California State Parks partnered with State Senator Glazer, Assemblywoman Baker and Mount Diablo Cyclists to expedite the completion of the “MDSP Road Striping & Signage Project.” Three pilot Bike Turnouts were included. In 2018, we collaborated to install ten Bike Turnouts ($5,000 -paint only). In 2020, we collaborated to install four Bike Turnouts ($79,055). These seventeen Bike Turnouts are unique only to Mount Diablo. Along with making the driving experience more comfortable and safer for park staff and visitors, Bike Turnouts have the potential to reduce Bike vs Vehicle Collisions and save lives.

MDSP Bike Turnout Project #2019-05:

The current start date of 3/15/2023 with a completion date of 7/15/2023 will significantly increase the probability for serious injuries and/or fatalities to park visitors. On June 2, 2021 and July 3, 2021, cyclists Gary and Ron were seriously injured in a Bike vs Vehicle Collision. They were hit on or near a blind curve at locations already identified for Bike Turnouts to be installed (Project #2019-05).

On August 23, 2021, at the Bike Turnout Ceremony, State Senator Glazer said; " it's our hope this project will get under way immediately and I hope to be back in 12 months."

Most hands were raised when cyclists at the ceremony were asked "please raise your hand if you've ever been passed by a vehicle on a blind curve."

Milestone Descriptions – Projected Start & Completions Dates:

What can California State Parks do to reduce the timeline and expedite the completion dates for ALL “Milestone Description” categories below?
When can California State Parks provide an updated/expedited “Milestone Description” to reflect completion/installation Not Later Than October 2022?

Estimate Summary:

How did the $1,500,000 budgeted (FY-21/22) for MDSP Bike Turnout Project #2019-05 become $1,008,000?
Does the $1,008,000 actually reflect the expenditure for Bike Turnouts only? If not, what is the correct amount?
Explain and justify the expenditure of $482,000 in detail per category.
Explain each category, provide details, documents, surveys, maps, photos/videos, etc. from State Parks and/or consultants.
Exactly who is spending the money and what they are doing?
How much money is being payed to California State Parks employees and/or departments, consultants for their work on this project?
How much money would be saved if Bike Turnout Project #2019-05 was completed/ installed Not Later Than October 2022 or earlier?

Sincerely,

Alan Kalin, COL, USA (Ret.) President Mount Diablo Cyclists

Linda Kwang, Vice-President Mount Diablo Cyclists

CC: State Senator Glazer, Assemblywoman Bauer-Kahan, Armando Quintero, Director California State Parks, Dan Bornstein, Editor East Bay Times

*Use a Computer to view hyperlink

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September 21, 2021 - Eddie Guaracha Email Reply to Our Letter "Flawed Safety Criteria for Priortization of $1,500,000 Bike Turnout Project Locations. (Waiting for Promised Reply)

Mr. Kalin,

We should be able to provide you information and mapping in about a couple of months, not including September. This will not impact the project timeline, as the Northern Service Center is still gathering information on the road improvement project.

I have attached a copy of the boring site sampling in November to evaluate the condition of the road. The boring map is much more extensive than the previous map shared with you in the past. The previous boring site location map was only looking at the major road repairs. CEQA documentation is currently being finalized to allow this activity to occur.

Previous information gathered from a prior road project will be insufficient for the current road improvement and safety project, including the bike turnouts. The geological information from the November boring will guide the Northern Service Center on design, as the approved Project Evaluation Form for the Bike Turnouts is insufficient in detail for a contract.

I am still waiting for the Northern Service Center to provide a project schedule.

Eduardo (Eddie) Guaracha, Diablo Range District Superintendent, California State Parks, 15751 Tesla Road, Livermore, CA 94550, (925) 455- 7872, (916) 769-9446 Cell

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September 21, 2021 - (2nd Request) Flawed Safety Criteria for Prioritization of $1.5MM Bike Turnout Project Locations, Email to Eddie Guaracha, Diablo Range District Superintendent

Good Morning Eddie,

Towns and Cities throughout the Bay Area annually review and analyze Traffic Collision Reports (TCR) as a critical part of their decision-making process. This allows them to make informed decisions when allocating funding and prioritizing safety improvements.

We strongly urge California State Parks to include ALL Traffic Collision Reports from 2010 to Present in their Screening Criteria in order to appropriately allocate the $1.5MM Bike Turnout Project# 2019-05 on Mount Diablo State Park.

(1.) When are you available to review and analyze All Traffic Collision Reports from 2010 to the present? California State Parks has All of the TCRs.......

(2.) When are you available to create a map(s) showing all of the Traffic Collision Locations on the roads of Mount Diablo State Park? Using the same maps in MDSP Bike Turnout Project#2019-05......

(3.) Please reply to the attached letter sent to you on September 13, 2021.

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September 16, 2021

To: Armando Quintero, Director California State Parks

Subject: Public Records Act (PRA) and California State Parks Obfuscation of Public Documents/Information (Waiting for Reply)

Dear Armando,

We would like to respond to Ryen Goering, Public Safety Officer Diablo Range District email comment below (September 10, 2021) and to share our years of being compelled to submit Public Records Act Requests (PRA) to California State Parks. We apologize, if we misspeak and look forward to clarifying in person.

Ryen said,"Among my many other tasks with other park operations, currently my main priority before dealing with Bike Turnouts is several PRA’s that you have initiated through our Legal Department. I must complete those first before I can schedule any additional meetings."

Since 2014, we have been compelled to submit numerous PRA’s, NOT because we wanted to but because California State Parks Leadership and recently Eduardo Guaracha, Diablo Range District Superintendent refuses to too voluntarily share non-confidential public documents/information with the public. Ryens frustration with working on PRA’s is understandable but it’s NOT due to us; it is the result of California State Parks Leadership and their policy of requiring their staff to censor and redact “non-confidential public information” from public documents. We completely understand Ryens frustration with continuing to waste time obfuscating, censoring, concealing, muddling and redacting non-confidential public documents/information.

With minor exception(s) the information that Ryen is censoring/redacting per our PRA requests is NOT confidential. The original document/information could be sent to us in minutes. Instead, he finds himself part of a system that compels its’ employees to censor, stall and delay for months.

We absolutely agree that Ryens time is being wasted and share his frustration. The fault is NOT ours. California State Parks has established a flawed policy of bureaucratic obfuscation. Apparently, California State Park bureaucrats believe that one of their primary tasks is to obfuscate by creating a culture of obfuscation. Over time they become experts at bureaucratic obfuscation.

The resulting impression left with the public is that California State Parks is more concerned about protecting the Parks’ image rather than improving the safety for all Park visitors.

It is our sincere hope that California State Parks Senior Leadership and Eduardo Guaracha will follow the PRA policies and practices of the Town of Danville, City of Lafayette, California Highway Patrol, Contra Costa County Sheriff, et al.

We urge California State Parks to establish a culture of transparency and provide non-confidential documents/information to the public in a timely manner.

The current California State Parks flawed policy of bureaucratic obfuscation wastes valuable staff time and needlessly increases the animosity between the public and Park employees.

Sincerely,

Alan Kalin, COL, USA (Ret.) President Mount Diablo Cyclists

Linda Kwong, Vice-President Mount Diablo Cyclists

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September 14, 2021 - Eddie Guaracha, Superintendent Diablo Ranger District, Email

I will contact the Northern Service Center (NSC) Project Manager Phil Tabor and let him know you are requesting a project timeline. I will make sure to include where Scope of Work Description, Drawings, Bid Package, Public Advertisement, and Award fall within the project timeline. I don’t think he will be able to provide you with any specifics of each phase at this time, except for the anticipated timelines of each phase.

The Northern Service Center will be able to provide specifics once they reach each targeted phase, but the approved Project Evaluation Form for the Bike Turnout Project #2019-05 does not contain enough information to go straight into a contract. This contract will require additional workload to create detailed scope of work. Northern Service Center understands this is a priority project

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September 12, 2021

To: Eddie Guaracha, Superintendent Diablo Range District, Ryen Goering, Chief Ranger Diablo Range District

Subject: Flawed Safety Criteria for Prioritization of $1.5MM Bike Turnout Project# 2019-05 Locations

Dear Eddie and Ryen,

In order to appropriately allocate the $1.5MM for Bike Turnout Project# 2019-05 on Mount Diablo State Park we urge California State Parks to utilize ALL available “Safety Data” in their Screening Criteria. As part of the decision-making process to prioritize Bike Turnouts. To understand the importance of “Safety Data,” please watch this video: Please Raise Your Hand if You have ever been Passed by a Vehicle on a Blind Curve

Allow us to clarify our previous emails, safety concerns and your emails dated August 10th and September 9, 2021:

In January 2021, Ryen and Alan met to review and reprioritize only 15 Bike Turnouts. It was an excellent meeting. Ryen listened to the safety data and together. Alan requested to continue this excellent collaboration for the remaining Bike Turnouts - Ref: Bike Turnout Project# 2019-05. Unfortunately, Eddie has repeatedly said "NO" to any further collaboration to prioritize the remaining Bike Turnouts. As a result, the existing Bike Turnout Prioritize “Draft” for the remaining Bike Turnouts was created without our input and critical Safety Data.

In addition, over the last several months in both in-person and Zoom meetings, we have repeatedly asked that the safety data be included in the "flawed screening criteria"(below). We have repeatedly stated since 2010, that it's essential to review ALL Safety Data (2010 to present). Unfortunately, Eddie has repeatedly said NO to our repeated reasonable requests.

For Example: the following "Safety Data" for South Gate Road, Entrance 2.5 miles to Kiosk was NOT included (map below) in the Screening Criteria for the decision-making process to Prioritize Bike Turnout Locations; Traffic Collision Reports (TCR), Public Safety Reports, State Wide Integrated Traffic Reporting System (SWITRS), San Ramon Valley Fire Department records, Public Records Act Requests, vehicle and bike surveys, vehicles passing cyclists on blind curves, filmed near-miss bike vs vehicle collisions and actual collision stories.

For Example, Map Below 2008 to Present: Red Tabs represent Bike vs Vehicle Collisions/Locations. Orange Tabs represent Near-Miss Bike vs Vehicle Collisions/Locations & Vehicles Passing Cyclists on Blind Curves/Locations.

As part of the decision-making process to prioritize Bike Turnouts, we strongly urge California State Parks to utilize all available Safety Data in their Screening Criteria in order to appropriately allocate the $1.5MM for Bike Turnout Project# 2019-05 on Mount Diablo State Park.

Sincerely

Alan Kalin, COL, USA (Ret.) President Mount Diablo Cyclists

Linda Kwong, Vice President Mount Diablo Cyclists

CC: State Senator Glazer, Assemblywoman Bauer-Kahan, Dan Weintraub, George Escutia, Shawn Kumagai

*All Hyperlinks should be viewed using a computer