SCPG Votes 9-1-1 for Approval of New Bike Lanes on Bonita Road
The Bonita Road Bicycle Safety Improvement Project was the reason for having the 09.08.26 Special Meeting of the Sweetwater Community Planning Group last evening. The project missed getting on the 09.01.26 meeting agenda and the vote was due in no later than 09.08.26.
Project Manager Robert Sanchez, San Diego County Department of Public Works, presented the same material he had shared back in March of this year. To see the presentation, go to "County Introduces New Bike Lanes Project for Bonita Road."
According to Mr. Sanchez, the project was initiated because of increased traffic and accidents in the area. Toll-avoidance traffic on Bonita Road has grown from 10,000 vehicles a day to nearly 19,000 a day . . . almost double.
The exact number given was 18,800 vehicles per day on Bonita Road, traveling at a speed of 40MPH. The project was centered on a vehicle-bicyclist accident where the bike rider was severely injured. It was not clear when that happened.
Mr. Sanchez was there to answer questions about the Bonita Road Bicycle Safety Improvement Project and ask the SCPG Board to approve it.
SCPG Board Member John Taylor repeatedly asked if the County had looked at methods used in Europe, the answer was a clear "no".
Asked about the width of the driving road, the answer was that it varied along different parts of Bonita Road.
Asked it there would be a protective barrier (curb), the answer was "no."
Asked if drivers would be educated on the painted green bike lanes, the answer was that it would indicated on the ground that this was a bike lane. When noted that the drivers would not be able to see the ground, it was specified that signs would be posted along Bonita Road.
SCPG Board Member Mark Kukuchek made the motion to approve the Bonita Road Bicycle Safety Improvement Project while questions were still being asked. Uwe Werner seconded the motion.
SCPG Board Members Daniel Diez, Michael Garrod, Patty O'Mara and Anthony Tieber were not present at the meeting. The eleven remaining members voted 9 pro—1 con—1 abstaining.
SEAT # | NAME | VOTE |
1 | Elizabeth Stonehouse | YES |
2 | Michael Clowers | YES |
3 | Uwe Werner | YES |
4 | Lori Noe | YES |
5 | Mark Kukuchek | YES |
6 | Daniel Diaz | ABSENT |
7 | Michael Garrod | ABSENT |
8 | Stephen Stonehouse | YES |
9 | Patty O'Mara | ABSENT |
10 | Harriet Taylor | NO |
11 | Felix Felix | YES |
12 | Anthony Tieber | ABSENT |
13 | Judith Tieber | YES |
14 | John Taylor | ABSTAIN* |
15 | Penni Wilson-Neely | YES |
*John Taylor abstained because he felt the project needed more study (researching solutions other countries were utilizing) before approval.
The Bonita Road Bicycle Safety Improvement Project will go before the Board of Supervisors for a vote on November 18, 2026.
Construction will begin in early Spring 2027. Traffic will be narrowed to one lane with construction crews directing the flow. The construction period will last approximately two and a half months.
The project had been on hold because of lack of funds. $600,000 was needed for design and construction. The County received a grant from State Funding for a total of $539,000 and that allowed them to close the gap on the money needed for the project.
Hmmm…..Sounds like a knee-jerk remedy instead of a BEST possible safety solution and those solutions can often be found during a thorough study!
I thought I heard 50 days on construction duration? Maybe I heard wrong...Thanks for publishing so quickly! How do I subscribe to your email list (looking for a "subscribe" button somewhere...thanks
2 and 1/2 months is a long time but maybe the toll avoidance traffic will avoid Bonita!