Still Sheltering

California will soon enter into the second month of the mandatory shelter in place order to curtail the COVID-19 pandemic.  Bicycling continues to be a safe and allowed activity when following all social distancing precautions.  Traffic is light on the streets, which can make bicycling more pleasant, and the air is cleaner with the reduced vehicle emissions.  Remember to wash your hands frequently, and don’t take any unnecessary risks on your bike, as now is not the time to be in the hospital.  Bicycle shops are open because they are essential businesses, as many people rely on bikes to get around.  It’s a great time to support your local bike shop, but call ahead as some bike shops are open by appointment only to limit the number of customers within the store.  

Fresno Earth Day Event Canceled

Earth Day Fresno was to be on April 27, and the 10th anniversary of the event was to be celebrated.  However, it was canceled as with all large gatherings because of the pandemic.  For many years FCBC has supported the event by having a booth and providing bike valet.  While there will be no Earth Day event in Fresno, Earth Day itself will still be commemorated on April 22, and this year marks the 50th anniversary of the first Earth Day.

Bike to Work Day Rescheduled

National Bike to Work Day has been rescheduled from May 15 to September 22, which will coincide with World Carfree Day.  Bike to Work Day in Fresno will be following suit.  While May remains Bike Month, the planned FCBC activities such as the traditional Mall to Hall Ride and Bike Prom have been canceled.  FCBC will be promoting Bike Month through social media and encouraging bicyclists to support local small businesses.  The Ride of Silence, which is organized by the Fresno Cycling Club, has been scheduled for May 20 but is subject to change.

Sharrows Now Allowed in Right-Turn Lanes

On March 27, Caltrans released an update to the California Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, which governs signing and striping on public roads within California.  Governor Newsom signed Assembly Bill 1266 in September, which directed Caltrans to develop guidance to allow bicyclists to travel straight in turn lanes where there is not enough pavement to place a bike lane.  Sharrows may now be placed in right-turn lanes to show that bicyclists may travel straight in the turn lane instead of having to merge into the through lane with other traffic.  If there is not a sharrow in the right-turn lane, then the bicyclist may not travel straight in that lane and will need to merge into the through lane when safe.  The City of Fresno plans to implement sharrows in appropriate right-turn lanes.  Bicyclists may request sharrows from the jurisdiction responsible for maintaining a particular roadway.   That would typically be the city but may be the county for rural roads or Caltrans for State highways. See diagram below:

Next Board Meeting

For the foreseeable future, FCBC Board meetings will be held by web conference.  A computer is not required, as participants also have the option of calling in.  The next meeting will be on Thursday, April 16 beginning at 7:30 pm.  Everyone is welcome to join the web conference.  If you would like to participate, please send an email to info@fresnobike.org, and the login information and call-in number will be sent to you.