Vista's Protected Bikeways: Safer Streets, Healthier Communities

Newly installed physical separation gives cyclists extra security while riding alongside high speed traffic

Update: While the most recent vote at the City Council meeting has already taken place, ongoing support for safe biking infrastructure will be essential to ensure all San Diego County residents can get around safely, sustainably, and comfortably.

In the City of Vista, newly installed separated bikeways are at the center of a heated debate — not because they aren’t working, but because they are. Despite strong public support and clear safety benefits, some elected officials and vocal opponents are pushing back on what is one of the most impactful tools we have to achieve Vision Zero and climate goals.

These separated bikeways, also known as Class IV Bikeways, physically separate cyclists from high-speed car traffic using asphalt berms and flex posts. They are under construction across Vista and currently run along major corridors such as Melrose Drive. The purpose is simple: protect vulnerable road users and make biking a real option for Vista residents. As Councilmember Corinna Contreras noted, “I rode my bike here and I’ve never felt safer.”

Opponents of the project claim the berms are unsafe, unsightly, and harmful to cars and emergency access. But these concerns are not supported by research or experience in cities across the world. In fact, these Class IV bikeways are recognized by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) as significantly safer than painted bike lanes, especially on roads where cars travel over 30 mph.

Let's break down the key facts:

1. Safety is not just a feeling — it’s data-backed.

According to the FHWA, separated bikeways reduce crashes between cars and bikes by up to 53% compared to a traditional class II painted bike lane. Streets like Melrose Drive — with multiple lanes of fast-moving traffic — are exactly the type of environment where protection is not just helpful, but necessary.

2. A vocal minority shouldn’t override community consensus.

During the Vista Bicycle Master Plan engagement process, nearly 70% of respondents said they were "very supportive" of protected bikeways. Only 4% were "very unsupportive." That’s not even close. Removing this separation now would ignore years of planning and community engagement, and go against public consensus.

3. Design matters — and Vista got it right.

One opposition letter references a bikeway in Cardiff as a cautionary tale, arguing that a similar curb-separated bikeway there led to more crashes. However, those claims rely on self-reported anecdotes, not peer-reviewed studies or verified crash data. Even if issues did arise in one location, that does not justify abandoning an entire category of proven infrastructure.

What’s more, Vista’s bikeway designs are still in progress. Much of the paint and flexposts haven’t even been installed yet, and already, people are using the lanes and expressing how much safer they feel.

Melrose has a marked speed limit of 40 in many places, but a design speed that is more reflective of a highway

4. Streets should serve more than just cars.

Melrose Drive is a “stroad” — a street-road hybrid designed to move cars quickly, not serve neighborhoods. There’s plenty of space for separated bikeways and car lanes. Reallocating a small amount of space to make all forms of transportation safer is a win for everyone — especially families, youth, and seniors who may not have the option to drive.

5. This is about our values.

Every time we debate whether to keep or remove bike lanes, we are also asking: Who gets to feel safe on our streets? Do we only build for the loudest voices — or for the kids who want to bike to school, the senior who wants to walk to the park, the worker who can’t afford a car?

The mayor of Vista recently said, “Maybe Vision Zero isn’t about zero crashes, maybe it’s about zero cars.” This is a false dichotomy. Vision Zero is about saving lives. It’s about a future where everyone — whether they walk, bike, drive, or take transit — gets home safely. That future doesn’t happen by accident. It happens through bold, evidence-based design.

Vista’s separated bikeways are an investment in that future. Let’s not backpedal.