The California State Parks Foundation celebrates the completion of 22 new bike parking spaces at Mount Diablo State Park.
There are now 67 bicycle parking spaces in the park.
In a statement from the park foundation, it was said that bicycle passing areas allow cyclists who are travelling more slowly when going uphill to move from the main lane into their own lane so that other vehicles can pass safely.
The inspiration for the new switches comes from the memory of Joe Shami, who was passionate about improving safety for cyclists and cars on Mount Diablo.
Known locally as the “Legend of Mount Diablo,” Shami’s passion for the mountains and cycling was evident in over a decade of weekly trips to the mountain, even when he was in his 80s.
“Tragically, Joe was struck and killed by a car while biking in Lafayette,” said Randy Widera, program director for the California State Parks Foundation. “Although he is no longer with us today, Joe left a special gift to the California State Parks Foundation in his will. This gift helped make these additional bike parking spaces possible on Mount Diablo. We know Joe would be pleased to see his generous gift make Mount Diablo safer for cyclists.”
Of the $927,000 raised through voter turnout, $138,089 came from Shami.
California State Parks, the California State Parks Foundation and the Mount Diablo Cyclists group have partnered to build the new bike parking spaces.
For many years, biking on Mount Diablo has been a popular – but dangerous – activity. From 2010 to 2014, there were an average of 23 car and bicycle accidents per year.
Park officials said there were also frequent clashes between motorists and motorcyclists.
After the first passing places were set up, the number of accidents fell to three within two years, and aggression in road traffic also decreased significantly.
California State Parks provided the same amount of funding from the agency’s annual road grant as Shami’s donation to this project. A dedicated group of volunteers consisting of Alan Kalin, Mark Dedon and Ted Trambley took up the challenge and spent four months speaking to locals, cyclists and visitors at the park and at Peet’s Coffee in Danville to raise additional funds.
“The new bike stops at Mount Diablo are a testament to Joe Shami’s inspiring life,” said Dedon. “The community understands the importance of the new stops for the safety of cyclists and motorists. The people we spoke with were happy to help make these stops a reality.”
State park officials said 300 individuals, organizations and businesses donated the additional funds needed to make the bike rides possible.
— Story by Tony Hicks, Bay City News Service