The California State Parks Foundation is celebrating the completion of 22 new bike turnouts at Mount Diablo State Park.
There are now 67 bike turnouts in the park.
The park foundation said in a statement that bike turnouts allow bicyclists, who move at slower speeds as they pedal uphill, to pull out of the main traffic lane into their own lane so that vehicles can pass safely.
The new turnouts were inspired by the memory of Joe Shami, who was a passionate advocate for increasing safety for bicyclists and cars on Mount Diablo.
Known by locals as “The Legend of Mount Diablo,” Shami’s passion for the mountain and bicycling was exemplified by over a decade of weekly trips up the mountain, even as he was well into his 80s.
“Tragically, Joe was struck and killed by a vehicle while riding his bicycle in Lafayette,” said Randy Widera, director of programs of the California State Parks Foundation. “Although he is not with us today, Joe left a special gift in his will to California State Parks Foundation. This gift helped make these additional bike turnouts on Mount Diablo possible. We know Joe would be pleased that his generous gift is making Mount Diablo safer for bicyclists to enjoy.”
Of the $927,000 raised for the turnouts, $138,089 came from Shami.
California State Parks, the California State Parks Foundation, and the group Mount Diablo Cyclists partnered to build the new bike turnouts.
For many years, bicycling on Mount Diablo has been a popular — but dangerous — activity. From 2010 to 2014, there were an average of 23 car and bike collisions per year.
Park officials said there have also been frequent road rage showdowns between drivers and riders.
After the first turnouts were created, collisions dropped to three in two years, and road rage significantly diminished.
California State Parks allocated the same amount as Shami’s gift from the department’s annual roads allocation funding to this project. Taking that as a challenge, a passionate group of volunteers comprised of Alan Kalin, Mark Dedon and Ted Trambley spent four months doing outreach in the park and at Peet’s Coffee in Danville with locals, bicyclists, and visitors to raise additional funds.
“The new bike turnouts on Mount Diablo are a testament to Joe Shami’s inspirational life,” said Dedon. “The community understands the importance of the new turnouts for the safety of both bicyclists and motorists. People we spoke with were happy to contribute to make these turnouts a reality.”
State park officials said 300 individuals, organizations and companies donated the additional funding needed to make the bike turnouts possible.
So that means equestrian r gonna use the bike lanes also? Cars and bicyclist go very fast comming down north gate road with no regards for horse and rider we have rights to!!!!! So everybody SLOW DOWN HAVE RESPECT FOR EVERYONE ON THE ROAD ITS NOT JUST FOR YOU ITS FOR EVERYONE!!!!!!
What a great thing this man did to help fellow riders.
RIP MR. Shami
I have to give mad respect for those bikers who ride to the top of the mountain! I could never do that. motorists need to remember bikes have a right to use the road, too. And please, bikers, use the turnouts! Be safe everyone !
Can they also make it a felony punishable by death for all those cyclists who blow their snot out into traffic? I mean, those costumes they wear are bad enough!
The material they wear is so sweat doesnt cause bodily sores,esp from sitting on the seat,it absorbs and dissipated the moisture stopping sores that can become infected and deadly,esp on yout trat end,the same thing Christopher Reeves died from.They take a long time tgeal and you cant ride while healing,plus those clothes make you notice them and maybe not run them over…
trat? should say”rear end”
Thank you! This being said by a motorist who feels that cyclists have destroyed the enjoyment of driving up the mountain. Many don’t use the turnouts when they easily could, even though there are multiple signs demanding they do so. It is with cautious optimism that I hope this helps.
…. and yet the spandex squad still rides in the middle of the road holding up traffic … many just don’t want their share of the road they want it all
Thanks Joe, you gift and desire will be enjoyed by many for years to come.
In exchange for these bike turnouts, will the cyclists agree to not blow through every stop sign in town?
Oh. I didn’t think so…
Did they cut off your bicycle/backpack momentum?Are you stopping at every light on your bike?
I still think it would be better to close the mountain to vehicle traffic most days of the week except for those that live and work within the park. The local residents know the roads well and where the safe passing zones are.
Its a state park and it’s real purpose is to generate revenue for the state.People spend big money for a pass for the year and they dont want to be locked out of something in their travel itinerary.or lose daily cash visitors for the 30-40 people that dont pay to get in that can actually ride to the top ,as my father did 5 times a week at 5am in the 80’s.,its the only safe time to ride,when there is no traffic.It’s the state of Calif,how could you suggest such a thing?People would flip out.Its a tourist attraction.