When the traffic light is red, the bicyclist must stop, and when it's green, there are typically two lanes of motorists flowing right. In considering alternatives, Bernstein conceived a two-way bike lane on the west side of the bridge. At the north end, it could perhaps enter Calle Real directly, and at the south end, pass through the golf course before entering Hollister Avenue. His suggestion has met with favorable comment on our online forum. There are doubtlessly problems with land ownership at both ends and entry into Calle Real and Hollister Avenue.
Time is short because construction is under way, but maybe a better design is possible.
Photo by Ralph Fertig. Caltrans found no humor in the damage and tore down the unstable structure that night. At the time, nobody seemed to care about the Westside Santa Barbara residents who use the bridge daily to travel by bike or foot between their homes and Downtown work, shopping, school, and recreation. A sign tells people to use the Carrillo undercrossing instead. But it's three blocks away and the nearest sidewalk was reduced to a two-foot sliver in order to widen the roadway few years back.