News Summary
Legal action has been initiated against San Diego regarding the design of bike lanes along 30th Street, following an incident that injured a child. The lawsuit alleges poor bike lane design contributed to the crash, renewing calls for enhanced cyclist safety measures. Advocates and local business owners highlight ongoing concerns about inadequate infrastructure and the risk of ‘dooring’ incidents, while city officials face pressure to improve bike lane protections for cyclists, especially after similar accidents in the area.
San Diego – Legal action has been initiated against the city of San Diego regarding the design of the bike lanes along 30th Street, following an incident in September 2024 that injured the young son of a staff member in Mayor Todd Gloria’s administration. The lawsuit, filed by Brian McIntosh, alleges that the bike lane’s design was a contributing factor to the crash that involved his son, who was in a child seat while riding with his father.
The incident occurred in the North Park area, where a passenger in a parked car opened a door directly into the bike lane, leading to a collision that caused both McIntosh and his son to fall onto the pavement and sidewalk. The child sustained visible injuries and is reportedly dealing with emotional trauma, including anxiety about transportation and roadways. This alarming event has reignited discussions about cyclist safety, particularly in busy urban areas.
Colin Parent, the CEO of Circulate San Diego, commented on the current inadequacies of the bike lane infrastructure, stating that existing safety measures, such as plastic bollards, do not effectively prevent vehicles from intruding into bike lanes. He highlighted alternative, low-cost solutions that have been successfully implemented in other cities, such as glued-down curbs or concrete planters, which could enhance safety for cyclists.
Local business owners have also expressed their concerns about the bike lane design. Liz Saba, who operates Presley & Company Fine Jewelers, voiced apprehension regarding the dangers posed by the bike lanes on such a heavily trafficked roadway. Saba mentioned that they had previously alerted the city about the potential hazards of the bike lane configurations. She noted the irony that Brittany Bailey, who is a strong advocate for bike lanes, is now part of a lawsuit against the city regarding their safety.
Local cyclists have divergent views about the bike lanes. Some cyclists, such as Grant Wilson, acknowledge the benefits of the lanes for safety and convenience while also noting the risk of cars entering the bike lane and impeding cyclists. The design of the bike lanes has rendered cyclists particularly vulnerable to “dooring” incidents, which can lead to serious injuries.
In a related incident, a 54-year-old electric bicycle rider sustained serious injuries following a collision with a vehicle after leaving a marked bicycle lane on Fairmount Avenue in Talmadge, San Diego. The rider struck the driver’s side mirror and was subsequently hospitalized with a fractured hip and wrist; law enforcement reports indicate that alcohol was not a factor in this collision.
The ongoing concerns regarding cyclist safety are further underscored by prior cases in the city. One notable incident involved cyclist Marc Woolf, who became quadriplegic after being struck by multiple vehicles while using a shared roadway known as “sharrows.” The city has since agreed to pay $7 million to Woolf’s daughter as part of a settlement. This case has prompted a review of safety measures, resulting in improvements such as extending the red zone on Congress Street to prevent parked cars from obstructing the bike lane, aiming to enhance the safety of cyclists using that route.
Woolf’s daughter described the settlement as bittersweet, emphasizing the urgent need for effective public safety measures to mitigate the risks faced by cyclists in shared roads. As the city faces ongoing scrutiny over its bike lane designs, the incident involving the Mayor’s staffer’s son has brought additional attention to the necessity for improved protections for cyclists across San Diego.
Attempts to reach Brittany Bailey and Brian McIntosh for further comment were unsuccessful, while a spokesperson for the Mayor’s Office stated that the city refrains from commenting on active litigation.
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Additional Resources
- CBS 8
- Wikipedia: Cyclist Safety
- NBC San Diego
- Google Search: Bicycle Accidents San Diego
- Fox 5 San Diego
