The Roadway Committee is dedicated to ensuring safe road use for everyone — motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians. While the Roadway Committee is focused primarily on bike lanes, crosswalks, and speed limits, we collaborate with City and County officials, police, advisory committees, and community groups, to develop and implement strategies so that all roadway users can enjoy Point San Pedro Road in a safe manner.Â
Bike Lanes
Point San Pedro Road serves as a major bike route for those traveling west to Downtown San Rafael or east to China Camp State Park. It also includes segments that are in City and County jurisdictions, leading to some areas classified as Class II bike lanes exclusively reserved for bicyclists and others classified as Class III bike lanes which allow vehicle parking. As a result of parked vehicles or other impediments to bike lanes like vegetation or debris, from time to time bicyclists may go on sidewalks along Point San Pedro Road. San Rafael Ordinances 5.34.010 and 5.34.030 allow for bicycles on public sidewalks where not explicitly prohibited by signage, so long as bicyclists are not violating the right of way of pedestrians. In addition, Marin County Code 13.24.030 allows for people under the age of 14 to ride bicycles on unincorporated public sidewalks when outside of zoned business districts.
Crosswalks
As more residents and young families are seen walking along Point San Pedro Road, safe crosswalks are becoming much more important. The Roadway Committee monitors the condition and safety of crosswalks from Embarcadero Way to Biscayne Drive, and has been working with the City and County to advocate for enhancing existing crosswalks with better signage, reflectors, or other improvements that can keep pedestrians safe. Currently, a lack of funding has impeded improvements, and residents have placed flags at higher traffic intersections like Knight, Peacock, and Riviera, for pedestrians to wave at vehicles while crossing the street. The Roadway Committee looks forward to continuing to work with County and City Public Works staff to improve the safety of our crosswalks.
Speed Limits
After a speed survey was conducted in 2016, the majority of Point San Pedro Road’s speed limit increased from 35 mph to 40 mph. In late 2023, the City completed a second speed survey, and any updated speed limits will allow for San Rafael Police and California Highway Patrol to enforce speed limits using radar. Both the San Rafael Police Department and the California Highway Patrol are committed to providing regular enforcement.
Paving
In 2014, the City entered into an agreement with the County for the County to manage repaving work along the roadway, including the City segments. The Roadway Committee anticipates that forthcoming repaving maintenance will also be managed by the County, and plans to collaborate with the City and County for repaving and restriping consistency where possible along the corridor.
Sidewalks
The Roadway Committee routinely monitors unsafe obstructions to sidewalks and notifies the City Public Works staff on the public portal when vegetation, litter, or other impediments to safety are present. Although any member of the public can submit issues to the portal for remediation, the Roadway Committee recommends reaching out to us to facilitate the request and bring the matter to the attention of the appropriate City agency for action.
FLOCK Cameras
At the Coalition’s 2023 community meeting, the City announced that FLOCK cameras would be placed at undisclosed locations within the City, chosen by the San Rafael Police Department. FLOCK cameras help law enforcement investigate crimes by taking pictures of passing license plates. The Roadway Committee will continue to monitor developments on this issue and work with the City to ensure that our roads are kept safe for all residents.Â