YOU DO NOT HAVE TO DONATE AFTER SIGNING!!! JUST CLOSE THE WINDOW WHEN PROMTED TO DO SO. Del Mar Roads Dangerous for Cyclists To be delivered to: The Del Mar City Council and Manager on April 15, 2008 To all cyclists riding through Del Mar, California. I am a resident of Del Mar and avid cyclist riding the north/south county coast route through Del Mar several times a week. And like many San Diego cyclists I have experienced as well as witnessed numerous near-miss encounters between Cyclists and Motorists where the south bound lane on Camino Del Mar and the south bound lane on Jimmy Durante Blvd converge. Cyclists using the southbound bridge overpass on Camino Del Mar approaching the southbound lane from Jimmy Durante Blvd. must slow down to allow for motor vehicles which are now approaching (from behind) from the left and also the right before (Jimmy Durante Blvd.) crossing over the motor vehicle lane to return onto the southbound bike lane. View http://dmbikemerge.blogspot.com for pictures of the location This situation is most dangerous as the speed limit at said merge is 40 miles per hour and the existing sign on Jimmy Durante Blvd. warning motorists to watch for cyclists is located in a spot where it is barely visible, not to mention currently covered by trees and brush. As the Cyclists are in an uphill riding situation their speed is rather slow, along with the additional difficulty involved with avoiding motor vehicles going four times the speed from both sides while crossing the lane is a very threatening situation for both cyclists and motorists. In a similar bike/vehicle approach in Kearny Mesa Ca, a cyclist was killed in August 2005 by a motor vehicle. The riders name was Patrick Klokow, a 29 year old Iraq war veteran who while riding to his job at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot he was struck from behind by a fast traveling vehicle. Even though he had taken more than the usual precautions and wore maximum safety gear including his helmet. On behalf of all cyclists from San Diego and beyond, we respectfully request that Del Mar City Government, Council and City manager consider implementing one of the following changes to make Del Mar roads safer for cyclists, motorists and all outdoor enthusiasts: 1. Install a Stop sign on the southbound lane of Jimmy Durante Blvd. shortly before reaching the merge with Camino del Mar. At the same time a sign should be installed on the Camino Del Mar bridge advising cyclists that oncoming traffic travelling along Jimmy Durante Blvd. will stop. Or 2. Slow traffic on Jimmy Durante Blvd. to 25 mph before the merge, install new signs with flashing lights and large white reflective stencils on the pavement warning motorists to anticipate cyclists crossing over the lane they are driving in. This petition will be delivered with all supporting documentation, printed out signatures and pictures of the location to the Del Mar City Hall on April 15, 2008. Copies will also be delivered to the local media and newspapers. I ask all members of San Diegos Cycle and Triathlon Clubs and all recreational cyclists to sign this online petition in order to make this dangerous intersection in Del Mar safer for cyclists and motorists alike.