Dear Jon: Why are those bike lanes green?

Brand new green bike lanes are popping up on the Central Coast. Karen sent me a note, “Dear Jon, I see the City of Salinas and others have painted bike lanes green. Kinda weird, did they do it because people can’t see them? What’s next, neon yellow bike lanes?

I was told by the Transportation Agency for Monterey County that neon yellow bike lanes will not be making an appearance. The simple answer is that green is for the safety of the bicyclists.

You may have seen the green bike lanes on Davis Road in Salinas and Imjin Parkway in Marina. Ariana Green with the Transportation Agency for Monterey County, says everything they’re doing for bicyclist and pedestrians is about safety, “The first rule in bike safety is be visible and the green paint really makes the bike lanes pop and makes the bicyclist in the bike lane really visible.”

Green says, the green colored bike lanes help drivers know where bicyclists should be on the road and for motorists to be on the lookout as they cross the green bike lane.

“One of the most common collisions between bicyclists and drivers are when drivers are turning right and don’t think to look for the cyclist that’s right there and may be in their blind spot,” says Green.

As to neon yellow in these bike lanes? No going to happen according to Green, “They tried blue lanes, they tried red lanes and the general consensus was to use green because there aren’t any other roadway treatments that use that color. So bicyclists have claimed green.”

So look for more green bike lanes on the Central Coast as the Transportation Agency works on a bike and bus corridor from Salinas to Marina.

“In the future you can expect to see more green bike lanes on Imgin parkway in Marina, West Alisal Street and Lincoln Street in Salinas,” says Green.

These green bicycle lanes are all over the country now and Green says there are federal and state standards for the use of green for bike lanes that they now follow.

So what drives you crazy!!??

We’re starting a new feature and we need your help. Send me your traffic concerns on the Central Coast that drives you crazy as you commute. It can be roads, bridges, signals, intersections, back-ups, whatever and I’ll see what solutions I can find for you. Send them to me know at DearJon@KionRightNow.com.

And keep sending me Dear Jon questions on any topic at the same email. Thank you!