Open the Park Gate for Cyclists at Sunrise

We believe that the ultimate goal of preventing Bike vs Vehicle Collisions, and the potentially fatal consequences thereof, more than justifies opening the Park to cyclists and hikers at Sunrise!

While we are incredibly grateful for the implementation of 67 bike turnouts, Electronic Message Sign, Mandatory Verbal Motorist Safety Advisory, Solid Double yellow lines, Do Not Pass Bikes on Blind Curve signs, and all the other safety improvements. Many drivers still exhibit impatience, often crossing solid double yellow lines and driving in the wrong lane in an attempt to pass cyclists on blind curves. This behavior significantly increases the risk for cyclists, especially those descending the mountain.

Our primary goal is to prevent bike vs vehicle collisions and reduce injuries on the roads of Mount Diablo. To achieve this, we propose allowing cyclists to access the park from sunrise to sunset while keeping the vehicle gate closed until 8 AM. According to State Parks documents, the majority of bike vs vehicle collisions occur between 11 AM and 3 PM, making early morning access crucial for cyclists to navigate the park before the influx of cars. This change would provide a safer environment, enabling cyclists to ride without the risk of dangerous interactions with vehicles. We believe that the ultimate goal of preventing bike vs vehicle collisions, the potentially fatal consequences thereof, more than justifies opening the Park to cyclists at sunrise.

Our research shows that 80 of the 280 California state parks open for cyclists from sunrise to sunset, which highlights a broader trend towards prioritizing cyclist safety. We believe that adopting a similar approach at Mount Diablo could lead to a significant reduction in collisions and, most importantly, save lives. Changing the opening hours from Sunrise to Sunset has the potential to prevent Bike vs Vehicle Collisions and Near-Miss Collisions.