"Idaho Stop" Law Takes Effect in New Mexico on July 1st. Know the Rules

 On July 1st, Senate Bill 73, the Idaho Stop bill, passed by the Legislature and signed into law by Governor Lujan-Grisham, takes effect. This allows bicyclists to treat stop signs as yield signs and red lights as stop signs.  Thus at a stop sign a cyclist can slow down, look, and proceed into an intersection if it is safe to do so without coming to a full stop. Likewise, bicyclists can treat red lights as stop signs. A cyclist will not have to wait through a full red light cycle or languish at a traffic-actuated light that fails to sense a bicyclist. In either case, the cyclist can proceed if the way is clear.  The NM Political Reporter covered this a while ago, but just in case some missed it, here is a reminder.

 The operative phrase here is "you can proceed through a stop sign after slowing, observing and yielding if necessary, or proceed through a red light after stopping and checking for traffic and go if it is safe to do so". This doesn't create a carte blanche situation where a cyclist can proceed without yielding right of way to traffic that does not have a stop sign, or traffic with the green light. So don't compete for the Darwin Award. 

 Also, be aware that various signalized intersections have multiple right of way phases for straight through and turning traffic. So even if traffic stops in one direction, turning traffic may get a green arrow while traffic not conflicted with the green arrow can proceed. So don't jump the gun and end up as a hood ornament. Know how the traffic light cycles work before you enter the intersection. That may mean studying signalized intersections on your usual routes.  Also, you must yield to pedestrians in crosswalks just as any motorist must do.

 There are various articles out there on this law as it applied in other states (and the laws vary from state to state), so I won't belabor the point here. There are no data showing this increases crashes. In fact, some data show a correlation with fewer crashes.  

 Be aware of the law, and if someone asks, be prepared to explain the new law. I suspect a lot of people will say "huh?"

 And as always, let's be careful out there. 

Here is a PSA just put out by the City of Santa Fe's Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee.

 

 

Earth Day Bike Ride: Those Multiuse Paths Are Useful for Transportation, Too

 I've sometimes commented that the major bike-ped paths in Santa Fe can be used not only for recreation, but to get those pesky errands and other stuff done or get you to work and back. So today, in honor of Earth Day, I decided to ride from my home to the various plazas using the paths as much as possible. I started out in Casa Solana, where I live. Try it from your place.

 Leaving the house in Casa Solana, I first stopped by the DeVargas Mall, which can be reached on a residential street (Camino de las Crucitas) and the wide shoulder/bike lanes on Paseo de Peralta. In DeVergas are various useful places, including the post office, CVS Pharmacy, Sprouts, and Albertsons. Also The Outdoorsman, if that scratches your itch.  Makes for good shopping. Doesn't make for much in the way of bike racks, though.

Sprouts, Albertsons, the Post Office, etc at DeVargas Mall

 Then I backtracked to W. San Francisco and used W. Alameda to connect to DeFouri Street and into the Railyard. There one can find the REI store, if one needs sporting stuff. Or, a movie theatre, or a beer.

Railyard is fun for a beer, movie, or something you might need at REI

 Getting on the Rail Trail at the Railyard, I rode down to where the trail crosses Cordova, swung left, and stopped at the Cordova-St. Francis intersection, where one can easily connect to the Natural Foods, Trader Joes or other stuff including NM Bike N Sport, in the Coronado Center.  There must be a clever way to get to Whole Foods using the paths without ending up on Cerrillos, but I've got to find them. There are several small streets one can use. Chime in using comments if you know the best way.

Natural Grocers sign, with Trader Joe's in the background

Swinging back down to the Rail Trail again on Cordova and heading South, one crosses Second Street, just a short hop from Lena Street, home to my favorite coffee joint (Iconik) and then on to St. Michaels Drive, where one can find plenty of shopping including Rob and Charlie's. When St. Michaels is fixed with traffic calming and the tunnel, it will be far more bike friendly.

St. Mike's is not much fun now, but help is on the way

So I kept on the Rail Trail to Zia, where the large Plaza Entrada, with an Albertsons, medical establishments, my home and car insurance office, and many other stores are there for you. You are also close to a bunch of medical offices a little beyond Zia on Rodeo Pk. Drive. Now that the "speed bumps" on the Rail Trail have been fixed, it is rideable even with narrow, high pressure tires without losing your fillings.

Fortunately, there are ped crossings across St. Francis Drive at Zia

Heading back up N on the Rail Trail to the Chamiso Trail intersection, I headed southwest on Chamiso to where it crosses Rodeo, smack dab to where Sam's Club, Plaza Santa Fe, and  Santa Fe Place offer scads of shopping and a post office. 

The Arroyo Chamiso Trail, by some other name (I forgot to check) continues all the way to Governor Miles Road, which connects to Richards to the E. and Cerrillos to the W (note: this is not a high speed path, as it has plenty of blind curves.). I use it to ride home when I drop my car off at the Subaru shop on Cerrillos Road for service, rather than riding all the way up Cerrillos. Also, that multiuse path extension provides for a "Grand Loop": Railyard down the Rail Trail, to the Arroyo Chamiso Trail, to Governor Miles, to Richards, down SW to the new roundabout S. of SFCC that puts you on the Falcon Wy bypass, up to Rabbit Road, E. to the Rail Trail, and back to the Railyard. I'll clock the mileage one of these days.

 

Returning towards home, I took the Chamiso Trail back to the Rail Trail to St. Francis-Cerrillos and then got on the Acequia Trail momentarily before cutting through some small streets to get back to the Solana Center. You can also use the cut-through to Monterrey to get over to the Acequia Trail via Monterrey, which puts you close to The Broken Spoke on Cerrillos. Thus ended my trip.

Excellent wayfinding helps you get around

Back to the neighborhood at the Solana Center

 The total mileage for connecting all these dots was about 17 miles. Clearly, the existing trail system can be used to get to many commercial destinations in a few miles or less, in addition to the trails just being fun, low-stress places to ride. If you are reasonably fit, or if you buy an e-bike (which has a much smaller environmental footprint than an E-car), these trails can replace a lot of car trips. Try it. In honor of Earth Day, but just as valid for any other day!

 Resource: Santa Fe Bike Map, courtesy of the Metropolitan Transportation Organization. 

Today's ride. A regular bike, properly set up with low gears (I have a 30x34 low gear on this bike) and racks, can handle moderate loads using the rear rack and panniers, augmented with a front rack if needed.

For more serious loads, one of the dedicated cargo bikes like Surly's Big Dummy or E-bike Big Easy, or the electric assist RadWagon E-bike, might fit your bill.

 .

Albuquerque P.D. issues warrant for the suspect in the hit and run death of Chuck Malagodi

 

APD Looking for Suspect in Fatal Hit and Run of Bicyclist

ALBUQUERQUE – The Albuquerque Police Department has issued a warrant for a man now charged in a fatal hit and run crash.

24 year-old Jose Ivan Rios Sanchez has been charged with Knowingly Leaving the Scene of an Accident Resulting in Death, and Careless Driving.

On January 19, 2025, APD's Fatal Crash Team was called to crash in the area of Carlisle and Kathryn Ave. SE involving a bicyclist and a white Dodge Ram. The truck had fled the scene and the cyclist, identified as Charles Malagodi, was located deceased in the road.

Witnesses stated they observed the driver of the truck narrowly miss a collision with another vehicle before losing control and almost driving into a park. Shortly after, they saw the driver continue eastbound on Kathryn and strike the bicyclist.

The driver then was seen fleeing the area after driving around the bicyclist lying in the road. The license plate was captured on photos provided to officers and they were able to track the vehicle to Sanchez. Through surveillance video of the driver, investigators were able to tie Sanchez to the scene of the crash.

Sanchez is currently wanted. Anyone with information about his whereabouts is urged to call (505)-242-COPS or they can report anonymously to Crime Stoppers at (505)-843-STOP (7867) or to p3tips.com/531.


REBECCA ATKINS

Deputy Director of Communications & Marketing

m 505.977.0481

cabq.gov/police

Canada Rincon Trail Is Finished. Ribbon cutting on (oops) Friday.

 

From the city press release: The ribbon cutting for the Canada Rincon Trail will take place on Friday, February 14 at 11 a.m. at 1597 Avenida Rincon (intersection of Avenida Rincon and Canada Rincon Trail). Mayor Webber, Councilors Castro and Lindell, Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) Chair and members, Santa Fe Metropolitan Planning Organization (SFMPO), Parks, and The Reserve Condominium Board Members are expected to be in attendance. Refreshments will be provided.

 This little trail segment opens up Calle Mejia as a way to get past the gated community at the north end of Calle Mejia and continue north into a great deal of bicycle friendly roads to the N and W of the city, including the roads around Tano and connections out to Las Campanas. Of course it also means those living north of the gated community can use the trail to connect to the city via Calle Mejia riding south.

 To get there from the south, proceed to the intersection of Alamo Drive and Calle Mejia, just a few feet west of the intersection of Alamo Drive and US 84/285 (St. Francis Drive). Head north on Calle Mejia, past The Lodge at Santa Fe. Eventually you will get to a gate at The Reserve at Santa Fe, a condo association. This gated community used to make Mejia an effective dead end. 

CLICK ON ANY OF THE PICTURES TO GET A BIGGER VIEW

Blue line approximates Calle Mejia, which leads to Canada Rincon Trail from Alamo Drive

 Just as you arrive at the gated community, look to the right of the little traffic circle and there is the South end of the Canada Rincon Trail.

Little traffic circle and condo gates dead ahead. Canada Rincon trail end to your right.

The Trail loops to the right of the condo association along an arroyo that runs between Calle Mejia and US 84/29-85. The arroyo can be seen in the first photo just to the right of the blue line I added. The trail lets you get up to Camino Francesca and beyond. Those cyclists riding south can catch the trail a few yards east of where Camino Francesca hits that t-intersection where Camino Francesca and Avenida Rincon come together. See below. Blue pencil line is approximately where the trail loops around the condos.

 When I clicked the link on the city press release for "1597 Avenida Rincon" it put me over by the NM 599 overpass. But that's nowhere near the trail. But at any rate, the north end of the trail is near the t-intersection below.

Approximate location of the trail as it bypasses the gated community

Nice, wide paved trail

 

North end of paved trail

North end of trail is at a T intersection where Francesca turns north and Rincon goes east

 

Chuck Malagodi killed in bicycle- truck hit and run. Memorial ride on saturday

 Devastating news to all of us who knew and admired chuck.  Got an email via the Santa Fe MPO saying Chuck was hit by a truck and left to die in Albuquerque. More here at the Albuquerque Journal.

Ghost Bike Dedication for Luis Quiroz on Saturday, June 29th

 
Snagged from the Seniors on Bikes web site.

As you know, Luis Quiroz was killed in April while riding on Camino de Los Abuelos in Galisteo. As part of the Santa Fe cycling community, I wanted to let the Seniors on Bikes club know of the installation of a ghost bike for Luis on June 29th at 9:00. The location of the installation is the intersection of Camino de Los Abuelos and La Jara Ranch road. Please join us to show support for Luis from the our biking community. Thanks

-Michele Ortega