In answer to questions about whether there will be bike lanes striped on any of the freeway crossings in Temecula to help cyclists cross, the answer is -- wait a few years. The city has no plans for bike lanes on Rancho California Road over the I-15, the most logical and useful place for bike lanes. Consider tourists visiting old town, wanting to cruise out to wine country. That is the way to go. No plans for lanes on Winchester Road. No plans for lanes on Overland. Years down the road -- no pun intended -- there will be a bike path UNDER the freeway along St.Gertrudis Creek. There may be bike lanes on the new interchange the city is building north of Winchester Road. For now, there is only Santiago at the far south end of Old Town.
Remember -- we can cycle any of these bridges -- bike lanes or no bike lanes. Roads in this nation were paved for cyclists long before motor vehicles started rolling around. We have the same rights as motorists, and the same responsibilities. Don't let motorists in this car-centered town tell you cyclists don't belong.
That argument is not only wrong, it is shortsighted. The city has a long range "livability" plan. Cycling and pedestrian traffic are a big part of that plan. This is not the time to start excluding cyclists It's time for more cyclists, not less.
I would add a note to "we can cycle any of these bridges". Rancho California and Winchester are very dangerous for cyclists, so though we "can" use them, I'd avoid them if at all possible. Overland and Santiago (and the Road 79 south underpass) are much more cyclist friendly if you need to get to the west side of town. Just because we "can" use them, doesn't necessarily mean we should.
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