Vision Zero at Work as East Cabrillo Becomes Safer for All!

by Barry Remis

July 23rd was a milestone day for Santa Barbara as City contractors completed most of the new traffic pattern restriping of East Cabrillo Blvd, from Ninos Dr. to Los Patos Way.  As part of the City’s Vision Zero Strategy implementation, this project, that both COAST and SBBIKE advocated in support of, introduces three MAJOR safety improvements to the corridor:

1. A Vision Zero ‘road diet,’ reducing motor vehicle travel from two lanes in each direction to one.  This, in concert with #’s 2 & 3, is anticipated to slow vehicle speeds.  Heading East after the Ninos Dr. traffic signal, motor vehicles now merge from two lanes into one before passing a new loading zone for beachgoers, with added ADA parking areas.
2. New Class II bike lanes on each side of the road, with the Eastbound bike lane (on the ocean side) being buffered from the travel lane and separated from parking.  The Westbound bike lane is also buffered from Los Patos Way until the start of the condominium residences on the mountain side of the road.
3. New back-in, ANGLED parking spaces along the ocean side of the road, from after the new loading zone all the way to just before the beginning of the ‘S Curve’.  This is a first for Santa Barbara, and, although it may feel a little strange to drivers at first, back-in angled parking is easy and much safer for everyone.  Here’s why:

• ​By backing in, passengers exit and unload the vehicle away from the travel lane, removed from passing vehicles.  Children can more safely exit and items can be unloaded with more space and ease directly onto the beach.
• Sight lines for drivers are vastly improved, making it much easier to spot oncoming bicyclists, runners, etc. without having to look 180 degrees behind as with the old parallel parking configuration
• With motor vehicles backed in at an angle, the risk of a bicyclists hitting an open door is ELIMINATED!
• Exiting an angled space is much easier and quicker.  Just scan both ways and go!
• And as a bonus, the back-in angled parking adds MANY more parking spaces to East Beach than the old parallel spaces, accommodating that many more beachgoers!

The City’s traffic engineering and transportation teams are keeping an eye on things, and were out in force yesterday (as was I) checking things out and speaking with motorists, cyclists and ‘East Beachers’ to get their take.  Most of the many people I spoke with found the new parking configuration to be beneficial, and agreed about the new safer conditions for passengers and cyclists.  While some did feel a little shaky stopping on the bike lane to then back in to an angled spot (and some had to try a few times to get their alignment straight in the space), overall, most everyone had no real difficulties doing it, and said it would become easier each time.  It’s worked successfully in many other U.S. cities.

​A few of the veteran East Beach volleyball players I spoke with did have some concerns about the new parking configuration, finding it somewhat challenging to back in straight into a space without readily-visible references to the lines on the pavement (which can't be seen unless the driver angles their rear-view mirrors down to see them).  A younger gentleman wondered how, if he had difficulties, elderly drivers may fare when faced with the new challenge of back-in parking.  A valid point.  Others had lingering wonder of the future congestion factor along E Cabrillo with only two travel lanes instead of four.  City Transportation staff feel confident after studying traffic volumes and flow that back-ups shouldn't occur more frequently than they already do, and with the eventual infrastructure improvements at the 101/Railroad overpass interchange (including a new roundabout at Los Patos Way/Channel Dr.), traffic flow should be improved.  

Some important notes:

1. The new back-in angled parking is exactly that:  BACK-IN ONLY.  The City has placed large signs on the road (as seen below) indicating as such, and we understand will be installing raised signage on both sides of the street with the back-in restriction.  Motor vehicles traveling Westbound on Cabrillo Blvd. are NOT to cross over the double-yellow lines and pull head-on into a space.  The City will be issuing warnings about this and once signage is installed, parking violation tickets will be issued.  So please keep it safe and ONLY back into spaces on the ocean side of the street!
2. Just as before with parallel parking, cyclists will need to be alert for motor vehicles stopping ahead of them to prepare to back into spaces.  Cyclists should be prepared to slow, stop or scan behind, signal, then pass around stopped vehicles.
3. Motor vehicle drivers passing through the Ninos Dr. intersection on a green signal should slow and be prepared to merge with side-by-side vehicles into the new single lane configuration.  For this reason, as well as for pedestrian safety, we urge all drivers to watch their speed when driving through the Ninos Dr. intersection on a green light.  Let’s keep everyone safe!

​OK, enough words...take a look at the new Vision Zero improvements with all these photos I took, and then…get out there and try it for yourself!  Get on your bike and ride the new and improved E Cabrillo Blvd. or drive to the beach to try out the new back-in angled parking.

Let’s Celebrate Improved Safety...and thanks to the City of S.B. for getting us there!