Cars parked in bike lanes on Fourth of July

Here is a letter from a Temecula cyclist to the city, and the city's response:

 

 

Wanted to let you all know of a situation I had with a City of Temecula officer on the 4th of July. We live near a lookout point for the annual firework show and wanted to ride our bikes there as a family. Every year people begin parking in the bike lane around 6:00pm. This year I decided to notify the police of the issue and see what we could do about it. 

In short the officer responded, told the offending people that they shouldn't park there, but didn't make them move or cite them. I spoke with the officer and while he knew their actions were illegal he seemed to brush off my concerns for our safety as cyclists. There are typically 75-100 cars that park on the hill and when they leave it is really chaotic. This is a residential area not fit for the kind of traffic volume it sees on the 4th. 

We ended up not riding there and instead watched from our street, even though we couldn't see the fireworks as well. I understand that this is a once a year issue, but the message it sends to motorists is one that says…as long as it's only temporary I can park anywhere. The officer even told me that when he spoke with the motorists they showed him their HOA cards and since they were residents and leaving soon that it was okay. The first cars started parking around 6:00 like I said and the cars didn't leave until 9:30. That isn't temporary. I told him that I completely disagree and that it since it only affects a few people doesn't make it right. 

I did ride to the bottom on the hill after the show and watched as car after car came down the hill, clogging both the bike lane and the lane of traffic. I have several videos I would be willing to share if you are interested. 

For reference the location I'm concerned with is Honors Drive between Vardon and Margarita Rd. in Temecula 92591. 

In my opinion parking in the bike lane needs to be taken more seriously in Temecula. I ride a bike almost everywhere in Temecula and while there are often bike lanes to use, there are often cars parked in them. It only forces me into traffic which is usually traveling at a much greater speed than myself. Not always, but at times cars will honk, yell, or pass extremely close as they do not understand that I have the right to full use of the lane. 

I am looking forward to a positive solution for this issue and would welcome any of you to join me on a ride to show you the conditions in and around Temecula.

Thank you for your time.

 

Zak Schwank

 

Here is the city's response:

Mr. Schwank,
 
I want to thank you for your email outlining your concerns regarding
the parking issues during the July 4th festivities in and around Ronald
Reagan Park.  As was obvious, this event, with the conclusion of a
fireworks display draws not only a generous representation of Temecula
citizens but also attendees from other municipalities.  The attendance
was even more profound with the removal of other events from neighboring
cities. As a result, our parking lots and streets become inundated with
additional vehicles.  Due to the impact of these vehicles, parking for
this event certainly came at a premium.
 
As a result, the city must weigh the impact of this event with the
impact it will have on its citizens.  For the Temecula Police Department
we have two options.  The letter of the law dictates that all those
vehicles parked illegally should be subject to a parking citation.  In
the case of the incidents you raised, that at a minimum would have
resulted in a roughly $35.00 ticket to 75-100 vehicles.  The citations
would be legitimate, however the perception would be the city used this
event as a tool to generate money in the form of fees and fines.  The
second option is to view the circumstances under the spirit of the law. 
We understand that our vehicular traffic is going to jump and that a
mass amount of persons are going to try and congregate in a centralized
location.  Therefore it is understandable to a point that there would
not be adequate parking for all of these vehicles and it is likely that
vehicles may park in the bicycle lane.
 
Each year at events such as this and others, an assessment is conducted
to try and determine what things can be improved and what changes can be
done.  These suggestions are presented to the city and to Temecula
Police Department management in an effort to minimize the negative
impact for all citizens.  I understand and respect your frustration on
this day and I will address this with representatives from the City of
Temecula to see what may be done.  Consideration could be made which may
result in the stringent enforcement of the vehicle code as to parking,
riding a bicycle on the sidewalk or the wrong side of the roadway,
pedestrian issues, etc.  The opposite also is possible that
consideration may be made to suspend enforcement of parking related
infractions during events where the crowd expectancy may outnumber
available parking.  All potential scenarios will and should be
considered. 
 
I again appreciate your concern and I apologize that it had a negative
affect on your July 4th celebration.  I will bring up these issues at
our July 4th debriefing with staff and city officials.
 
Regards,
 
Lt. Ron Heim
Temecula Police Department
Traffic Division
30755-A Auld Road
Murrieta, Ca. 92563
(951) 696-3000