Impact of Bike Turnouts and Safety Improvements on Mount Diablo State Park
Mission: To improve the safety for cyclists, motorists, and pedestrians on the roads of Mount Diablo State Park.
Executive Summary: This is a story of Dogged Determination to Prevent Collisions and Save Lives on the Roads of Mount Diablo: "In the grand tapestry of history, never underestimate the power of a determined few to reshape the world; indeed, it is the only force that ever has."
Cycling on Mount Diablo State Park has long been a safety concern due to its winding, narrow roads. Thanks to the relentless advocacy of the Mount Diablo Cyclists (MDC), significant safety measures, including bike turnouts, have been implemented to reduce the risk of collisions. Through 43 Public Records Act requests, MDC uncovered crucial safety data that helped shape the necessary changes.
Their efforts resulted in the creation of 67 bike turnouts, the securing of $1.5 million in state funding, and an additional $754,793.48 raised through grassroots campaigns for road safety improvements. Despite these successes, challenges persist, particularly in securing long-term cooperation from California State Parks to maintain these vital safety measures. This article highlights MDC’s pivotal role in improving safety for cyclists and all visitors to Mount Diablo State Park.
Introduction: Cyclist safety in Mount Diablo State Park has been a growing concern for many years. The park’s winding and narrow roads presented substantial risks for cyclists, particularly those sharing space with motor vehicles. Through persistent advocacy and strategic planning, the Mount Diablo Cyclists (MDC) played a crucial role in pushing for and securing vital safety measures, such as bike turnouts and road striping. This article explores MDC’s efforts, from gathering crucial safety data to successfully advocating for key improvements, while also addressing the ongoing challenges that remain.
Public Records Act Requests: In response to California State Parks’ reluctance to share important safety data, MDC filed 43 Public Records Act Requests.These requests focused on obtaining traffic collision reports and other key safety documents, which had been underreported or withheld. MDC’s persistence in gathering and analyzing this data unveiled alarming statistics and highlighted the urgent need for intervention. The findings provided the foundation for advocating for further safety measures on Mount Diablo.
The Role of Mount Diablo Cyclists (MDC): The implementation of bike turnouts would not have been possible without MDC’s tireless advocacy. The group worked diligently to raise awareness of the dangers faced by cyclists on Mount Diablo’s roads. By engaging with policymakers, providing essential data, and mobilizing community support, MDC played a crucial role in ensuring that cyclist safety was prioritized, ultimately leading to the creation of key safety improvements.
Financial Support and Funding: Securing funding was a critical step in the success of these safety improvements. In 2016, with support from State Senator Steven Glazer, MDC helped secure $1.5 million in state funding for road safety projects on Mount Diablo. Additionally, through grassroots fundraising efforts, MDC raised an impressive $754,793.48. These funds were instrumental in the creation of bike turnouts and the implementation of other essential safety measures that made the roads safer for cyclists and motorists alike.
Creation of the First Bike Turnout: In 2014, the Mount Diablo Cyclists formed a Working Group to design Bike Turnouts for the roads within Mount Diablo State Park. At that time, Bike Turnouts were a novel concept, not found anywhere in California or the wider U.S. By 2015/16, three Bike Turnouts were implemented as a pilot program, featuring a buffer positioned on the inside. In 2017, we revamped the design strategy, opting to relocate the buffer to the outside for all forthcoming Bike Turnouts.
Creation of 67 Bike Turnouts: MDC’s efforts led to the installation of 67 bike turnouts along Mount Diablo’s roads, significantly improving safety for cyclists. These turnouts provide cyclists with designated areas to pull off the road and allow vehicles to safely pass. Prior to these improvements, cyclists were at risk of dangerous overtaking on narrow, blind curves. The creation of bike turnouts has drastically reduced the risk of collisions, making the park’s roads much safer for all users.
Implementation of the 2016 Signage and Striping Plan: Another milestone in improving cyclist safety was the implementation of the 2016 Signage and Striping Plan, which allocated $360,000 in funding. This plan introduced clearer road markings, including warning signs advising drivers not to pass cyclists on blind curves. Revised lane striping further enhanced visibility and helped promote safer road sharing between cyclists and vehicles. MDC’s advocacy was instrumental in making this plan a reality, addressing long-standing safety issues.
Ongoing Safety Improvements: The push for safety improvements did not stop with the bike turnouts and signage. Since 2016, MDC has continued to advocate for additional upgrades, such as bike sharrows and stop signs. However, despite these efforts, MDC remains committed to ensuring that California State Parks maintains and improves the safety measures already in place, ensuring the continued protection of cyclists and motorists.
Early Efforts to Address the Dangers of Mount Diablo’s Roads: The push for safety improvements began in 2010 when cyclists began reporting near-miss collisions on Mount Diablo’s hazardous roads. Cyclists frequently faced dangerous overtakes, especially on blind curves. MDC members reported these incidents to park rangers, but initial responses were insufficient, with claims that action could not be taken without direct witness accounts. This lack of action prompted MDC to conduct their own research, which revealed that most accidents occurred near blind curves, further highlighting the need for intervention.
The Discovery of Traffic Collision Reports: Through their determination, MDC uncovered critical Traffic Collision Reports, which revealed troubling trends. According to the reports, collisions occurred approximately every two weeks, and 80% of those incidents took place near blind curves. This discovery provided the necessary evidence to support MDC’s advocacy for bike turnouts and other safety measures, strengthening their case for action.
The Bureaucratic Hurdles of State Parks: Despite mounting evidence of cyclist safety concerns, California State Parks was initially slow to respond. MDC faced significant bureaucratic hurdles as park officials resisted collaboration and failed to address the collision data. State Parks cited staff shortages and resource constraints as excuses for inaction, but MDC’s persistence continued to drive the conversation forward. Their determination ultimately led to meaningful safety improvements.
Securing Legislative Support: In 2015, MDC reached out to elected officials for support. State Senator Steven Glazer and Assemblywoman Catharine Baker were quick to recognize the severity of the issue and worked together to secure state funding for road safety improvements on Mount Diablo. Their bipartisan efforts were crucial in securing the financial resources necessary for bike turnouts and other safety enhancements. Letter from Senator Glazer and Assemblymember Baker to Lisa Mangat, Director California State Parks(PDF).
The Installation of Bike Turnouts: In December 2017, thanks to MDC’s advocacy, 10 new bike turnouts were installed along Mount Diablo’s roads. These turnouts were a cost-effective solution, with the installation totaling just $5,000. By providing cyclists with designated pull-off areas, these improvements have significantly reduced the risk of dangerous collisions and contributed to the overall safety of the park.
Motorist Education and Safety Advisory Issues: A key challenge to cyclist safety on Mount Diablo is the lack of awareness among motorists about the park’s narrow, winding roads. State Parks implemented a policy requiring a Verbal Motorists Safety Advisory for all drivers entering the park, but understaffing at entrance kiosks meant that many drivers were not receiving this crucial information. MDC has continued to advocate for improved staffing and more effective motorist education to address these safety gaps.
The Continued Need for Staffing and Safety Measures: While significant improvements have been made, staffing shortages at the park’s entrance gates remain an ongoing issue. Thousands of drivers enter Mount Diablo without receiving the necessary safety advisories, especially during unstaffed hours. MDC continues to call for increased staffing and more effective solutions to ensure that all visitors are adequately informed of the road hazards.
Conclusion: The transformation of Mount Diablo’s roads into safer spaces for cyclists and motorists is a testament to the power of persistence and community advocacy. Through years of research, collaboration, and unwavering dedication, MDC has successfully advocated for critical safety improvements, including bike turnouts, road striping, signage, and motorist education. While the park’s roads are safer today, the work is not finished. Continued collaboration with State Parks is essential to maintaining and expanding these vital safety measures. MDC’s story is a powerful reminder of how committed individuals can drive meaningful change, ultimately creating a safer environment for everyone who visits Mount Diablo State Park.
Newspaper Articles and TV New Stories below:
2024 CBS NEWS "MT. DIABLO BIKE TURNOUTS CELEBRATED AS A LIFE SAVING SUCCESS STORY"
2024 CBS NEWS STORY "NEW BIKE TURNOUTS KEEP MOTORISTS AND CYCLISTS SAFE"
2022 EVENT TO CELEBRATE 30 NEW BIKE TURNOUTS ($1.5 MILLION STATE BUDGET)
2022 CBS NEWS STORY " BIKE TURNOUTS ON MOUNT DIABLO MAKE SUMMIT CYCLING SAFER"
2015 ABC NEWS INVESTIGATES BIKE VS VEHICLE COLLISIONS ON MOUNT DIABLO