Raincloud Publishing/Dan Allison
3100 Imperial Way, Apt 10
Carson City NV 89706-0809
rain @ raincloudpub.com
775-997-4937
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Carson City Bicycle Resources by Raincloud Publishing/Dan Allison is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 United States License.
This route is a combination of multi-use path along the freeway and bicycle lanes on surface streets. It runs from the Carson Tahoe Medical Center in the north to Northridge Dr in the east part of town. It is incomplete between Richards Blvd and Carson St.
A Condition: Route 1 provides a six foot bike lane with signing from the north start, which is north of Carson Tahoe Medical Center on Medical Parkway, to Richards Blvd. The route follows Medical Parkway and Silver Oak Drive. At Richards Blvd, Route 1 ends with a "End Route 1" sign, without any indication of continuation or safe alternative. When Silver Oak Drive is complete to Carson Street, Route 1 will probably continue across Carson Street to Silver Oak Drive and thence to the Route 1 multi-use path
Solution: a sign should be added at the Silver Oak Dr - Richards Blvd intersection which says "Temporary Alternate Route: Richards Blvd, College Pkwy, Imperial Way" and a right arrow
Note: It is presumed that route 1 will be extended to Carson St, however, the crossing of the highway would be very hazardous unless the intersection is reconfigured and a user-activated flashing light installed.
A Condition: Route 1 along Silver Oak Dr east of Carson St has bicycle lanes, but it is not signed nor marked as route 1. At the entrance to the multi-use path on Alexa, there is no signing or curb cut to indicate where the route goes. The crosswalk of Alexa near the path is in an inappropriate place, at the bend of the road, and the curb cut and sidewalk width is too narrow for bicycle use (as well as ADA compliance).
Solution: Create a curb cut and sidewalk crossing to the west on a straight stretch of Silver Oak Dr. Install signs which direct bicycles onto and off of the wide sidewalk to the west of the path. Install route 1 signs on Silver Oak Dr.
B Condition: Where the multi-use path meets Emerson Dr, there is no route 1 sign in either direction, and it is not obvious to southbound users that the path continues across Emerson.
Solution: Install route 1 signs for northbound and southbound path at Emerson.
C Condition: The multi-use path continues onto a deadend section of Hot Springs Rd. Southbound route 1 signs encourages users to cross College Pkwy with the signal, then use the crosswalk across Retail Dr, and then use the sidewalk east to continue in a southbound direction. There is a required right turn lane from Hot Springs Rd which conflicts with the straight ahead bicycle lane. There is no indication to vehicles turning from Market St onto College Pkwy that there may be bicycles using the sidewalk from either direction. I was almost hit here by a car. If southbound bicyclists are kept in the bicycle lane on College Pkwy, there should not be a major safety issue with cars turning right onto Market St, though an R4-4 sign could be used there.
Solution: Repaint lanes on Hot Springs Rd to match the recommendations of the AASHTO bicycle facilities book, page 29, so that bicycles may safely go straight to Retail Dr or turn left onto College Pkwy. Do not direct southbound bicycles onto the sidewalk, but into the eastbound bicycle lane on College Pkwy. Place a bicycle sensor loop in the bicycle lane on Hot Springs Rd at College Pkwy so that bicycles may trigger the signal on this low traffic street. Add a bicycle crossing sign, perhaps the W11-15/W11-15P combination, on Market St.
Note: Despite the appeal of the segment of the multi-use trail from Emerson Dr to Hot Springs Rd, it might be simpler and safer to split the route and direct Route 1 southbound bicyclists south on Emerson Dr to College Pkwy, using the pedestrian signal and/or the left-turn signal to turn left onto the College Pkwy, and then the along the College Pkwy bicycle lane to the continuation of the Route 1 multi-use path along the freeway.
A Condition: Northbound bicycles coming off the multi-use path route 1 "Carson City Freeway Multi-use Trail" are directed by a route 1 sign and left arrow onto the sidewalk. This routing is necessary due to mis-design of the freeway.
Solution: The sign should be more explicit, stating "Use Sidewalk to Hot Springs Rd". Bicycle markings should be added to the right side (street side) of the sidewalk to reduce conflicts with pedestrians.
B Condition: The multi-use path from College Pkwy to Northridge Dr is new and well maintained, though not particularly aesthetic.
C Condition: At the current end of Route 1 at Northridge Dr, there is no is no indication about how to continue south, east or west. Northridge has bicycle lanes on both sides from Roop St to Lompa Ln. Russell Rd to the south also has bicycle lanes on both sides.
Solution: Route 1 should be continued, and signed, from Northridge Dr south to Hwy 50. Wayfinding signs should be installed to indicate the Northridge bicycle route crossing, and Hwy 50 ahead.
The "Carson Freeway Multi-use Trail" (Route 1) is shown in such a way as to imply that there is a path on both sides of the freeway, so it should be changed to clearly show that it is only on the west side of the freeway. The route number should be added to the map.
Route 1a kml (segment 1)
Route 1b kml (segments 2 and 3)
This 2.8 mile route is now complete, with the section under the freeway that connects the Linear Park section starting at Roop Street with the Moffat Open Space section.
Conditions: The path is well constructed and maintained. At the west end, there is no safe passage for bicyclists except a right turn onto the Roop St northbound bicycle lane. This is documented on the Linear Park hazard page. At the east end, there are stop signs, and an island with a pass-through on Saliman. This crossing is signed for vehicles along Saliman and is reasonably safe. There is a bridge over the drainage, just east of Saliman Rd, which carries the path from the south side of the drainage to the north side. The path crosses through a gated double cattle guard, then along the freeway and underneath alongside "Eagle Creek". It crosses Butti Way and then parallels Fifth Street to the Fairview/Fifth roundabout, then follows the west side of Fairview Dr to a crossing of Fairview near Rattlesnake Hill. A path continues along the west side of Fairview to Butti Rd (the east terminius of Butti) and ends there. Route 6 crosses Fairview Dr at a user-activated flashing light. This crossing is somewhat hazardous because a portion of the drivers on Fairview Dr do not respect this signal, so users should make sure that drivers have stopped before crossing. The path then continues along the south side of Eagle Creek to a terminus in Moffat Open Space, where connections can be made to the Mexican Ditch Trail. The entire route is a well-constructed multi-use trail.
This path is shown as a "Paved Multi-Use Trail" (blue) on the map. The sections along Fifth St and Fairview Dr should be blue rather than brown. Though it is not yet signed along the whole length, the path will be labeled Route 6.
This description is incomplete. It does not cover the section from Mountain St to Roop St, which may or may not be officially part of Route 50, and does not cover the section from the freeway east to the county line.
Route 50 is a multi-use path that extends from Saliman Rd eastward, on the south side of Hwy 50. Note: West of Saliman Rd, the route is signed Route 4, and a sign on the path westbound just before Saliman Rd indicates that the route turns left, though there are no further indications of Route 50 along Saliman Rd. This is confusing, to say the least.
A Condition: The routing from the Washington St and Roop St intersection, where there is a pedestrian user-actuated signal that can also be used by bicycles, continues through Mills Park between the Community Center and Aquatic Center, onto Oxoby Loop, and then onto a multi-use path that parallels Hwy 50 on the south side. There is no indication through this area showing where the routing goes, nor is there any indication to vehicles that bicycles are using this area. On the path westbound at Saliman, there is a sign for Route 4, and eastbound there is an "end of" Route 4 sign. These are the only Route 4 signs found. The path along Hwy 50 is acceptable, but does not meet multi-use path guidelines, and is not well maintained. When Roop St is reconstructed with bicycle lanes, this routing will provide a connection to this north-south route.
Solution: Paint a bicycle lane through the parking area and along Oxoby Loop out to the path, place bicycle and route signs at Roop St and on Oxoby Loop. Maintain and eventually widen the multi-use path so that it meets AASHTO guidelines. Remove the Route 4 signs and replace with Route 50 signs.
A Condition: The multi-use path on the south side of Hwy 50 is signed Route 50. It is not well maintained and does not meet AASHTO guidelines. Westbound at Saliman Rd, a Route 50 sign has an arrow indicating that Route 50 turns left (south) along Saliman Rd, but there is no further indication along Saliman of where Route 50 might go. There are no bicyle warning signs at the intersection of Saliman and Hwy 50 to alert vehicles that bicycles may be crossing Saliman at the crosswalk from the two segments of path. Although I have not observed this intersection during heavy school-related and commuter traffic times, I suspect this intersection is a hazard for both bicycles and pedestrians. [Have not yet examined the path much east of Saliman Rd.]
Solution: Maintain and widen the path. Post bicycle and pedestrian signs for the crosswalk across Saliman to indicate to vehicles eastbound and westbound on Hwy 50, and northbound and southbound on Saliman Rd, that bicycles are using the area. Change the route sign to indicate that the route continues along Hwy 50 westbound, and post wayfinding signs to indicate the crossing path on Saliman.
The map indicates a principal (green) route along Washington St from Mountain St west of Hwy 395, through Mills Park, and along Hwy 50 all the way to the county line. This seems appropriate, but the route must be examined in more detail.
This route on the west side of Carson City extends from Van Patten Dr in the north to Kings Canyon Road in the south. It is a combination of multi-use path, bicycle lanes, wide streets, and dangerously narrow streets. I believe that route 395 continues north up Combs Canyon Rd and to Old Hwy 395, but that information has not been field checked yet. From Ormsby Blvd it continue east on King St to Division St, south on Division, east on Fifth, and south on Roop St/Silver Sage Dr. It has not been checked beyond Appion Wy.
A Condition: Murphy Dr from Van Patten Ave to Combs Canyon Rd has bicycle lanes on both side, so is a logical extension of route 395, however, there is no route 395 sign showing continuation to the north when exiting the multi-use path at Van Patten Ave.
Solution: Add a route 395 sign northbound on Murphy Dr.
B Condition: There are no paved connections between Route 395 and the Western Nevada College campus, nor through the campus to College Pkwy.
Solution: Build a paved path to the campus, with signing through the campus to connect to College Pkwy.
C Condition: Route 395 has no paved connections to the rest of town between Combs Canyon and Wellington.
Solution: Build a paved path from Route 395 to Foothill Rd.
A Condition: The route 395 bike lanes on Longview Ln end at Washington St, with no signed indication of continuation. Adjacent walking paths are not built to standards necessary for a multi-use path.
Solution: Extend the bike lanes and signing on both sides south to Kings Canyon Rd.
A Condition: Kings Canyon Rd from Longview Way to Thames Ln has a wide enough roadway for bicycle lanes but it is not marked or signed; an adjacent multi-use path on the north side provide an alternate route but the entrance to this path is not obvious at the east end.
Solution: After completion of the Kings Canyon Rd solution below, the roadway here should be marked and signed for bicycle lanes. The adjacent multi-use path should be signed more clearly.
B Condition: Kings Canyon Rd from Thames Ln to Ormsby Blvd is of insufficient width for bicycle lanes or safe bicycling or walking of any sort, with narrow or nonexistent shoulders, deteriorated pavement edges, and a steep bank on parts of the north side. At the Kings St/Kings Canyon Rd and Ormsby Blvd intersection, there is a westbound sign which incorrectly points to the route turning right onto Ormsby.
Solution: Construct a multi-use path adjacent to the roadway, or widen the roadway to contain sidewalks and bicycle lanes, from Ormsby to Thames. Change the sign at Ormsby to state‚ "Temporary End of Route 395, Hazardous Roadway Ahead". If Ormsby is retained as a alternate route, include a sign to so indicate an alternate route, and sign that route until it reconnects with Route 395 at Ash Canyon Rd.
C Condition: King St from Ormsby Blvd to Division St has bicycle lanes, with pavement symbols and signs. The width varies from 4 feet to 6 feet. Signing and marking are satisfactory. At Division St, a Route 395 sign has a right arrow indicating that Route 395 turns south onto Division.
A Condition: Division St from King St to 5th St does not have bicycle lanes or signs, and there are no indications that this is Route 395. At 5th St, there is not indication that Route 395 turns left (east) onto 5th St.
Solution: Remove parking from one or both sides of Division St so that bicycle lanes can be installed. Post Route 395 signs southbound on Division just south of King St, and northbound just north of 5th St. Post a Route 395 sign at 5th St with a left arrow indicating that Route 395 turns east onto 5th.
A Condition: 5th St from Division St to Carson St does not have bicycle lanes, nor is it signed in any way as a continuation of Rte 395. There are no bicycle signs, nor any warning for vehicles to share the road with bicycles. With a width of 36 feet, however, it could be have bicycle lanes added from Division to Curry if parking were prohibited for this two block section (two six foot bicycle lanes plus two twelve foot travel lanes).
Solution: Add bicycle lanes to the two block section from Division to Curry. Post "may use full lane" sign (MUTCD R4-11) on 5th St eastbound at Curry with a shared lane (sharrow) pavement marking, and the same westbound at Carson St.
B Condition: 5th St from Carson St to Roop St has bicycle lanes painted on both sides. There are bicycle signs westbound but none eastbound. There is no indication at Roop St about continuing straight on 5th St or right on Roop St.
Solution: Add bicycle signs eastbound. Add wayfinding sign on 5th just before Roop.
A Condition: roop_hazardThere is a striped bicycle lane this entire distance, 5 feet wide in most places, though bicycle symbols, signs and route markers are scarce for most of the segment. Southbound, the last confirmation is at Pat Ln, and northbound there is a bicycle lane sign at Clearview but then not again until Sean Dr.
A Condition: Just across Clearview, a custom sign says lanes ends, and there is no indication that the route continues. On this section there is no bicycle lane or fog lane, and the pavement is deteriorated, but there is enough width for bicycle use. At Appion Wy the Route 395 is signed as turning right onto Appion, and on Apprion, the route is signed as turning north on Silver Sage.
Solution: With no bicycle lane, this segment should be mapped as alternate (yellow) rather than green.
A Condition: This section does not have any bicycle lanes, follows roadways with narrow to nonexistent shoulders, and is poorly signed. The route heads west along Appion Way to the intersection with Snyder Ave, then follows Snyder Ave northwest to the Frontage Rd that is just before Carson St, then south along Frontage Rd to its terminus at Clear Creek Rd which joins from the left, and then to Hwy 395 where it ends. See hazard note below. There is a paved path to Hwy 395 at the intersection with Hwy 50, where one can cross at the signal to Hwy 50, which is a legal bicycle route (Adventure Cycling If one does cross at this intersection, you can continue south on Hwy 395, which has a wide shoulder though no bike signing, or continue west along Old Clear Creek Rd to Vista Grande (bike lane on the north side only; Fuji Park is on the south side with a Muscle Powered bicycle rack near the restroom), and south behind the Carson Valley Plaza shopping center. There is no through connection to Jacks Valley Rd.
Hazard: The intersection where Clear Creek Ave crosses Hwy 395 to Old Clear Creek Road on the west side is dangerous due to narrow and deteriorated pavement, a tight turn from southbound to westbound, and heavy traffic along all the roadways.
Route 395 kml (segment 1 from Van Patten to Wellington)