Open House Signs in Bike Lanes

I tend to address the situation with my right foot on the way by... ;)

Seriously though, maybe note the agency and get in touch with their office for starters? Those signs tend to have the listing agent's contact info on them, but it's probably more effective to speak directly with the owner of the office that the broker works for.

I've noticed construction workers tend to place signs in the way as well - until they actually notice that bikers are riding by. It was that way when San Tomas construction started and then the guys realized people ride their bikes on that road (I'm always friendly to them, say hi, they appreciate that and take notice). On the second or third day they started moving the signs in some, and the following week they put up a sign saying to share the right lane with bicyclists.

The only other advice I could offer is getting in touch with your city's bicycle/pedestrian advisory committee (if they have one) and ask that the issue be placed on agenda for discussion. If it's Santa Clara their meeting is next Wednesday night at 4 in the planning department conference room (http://santaclaraca.gov/index.aspx?page=43).

Open house signs, trash barrels, parked cars, glass, sand, mud, damaged pavement, tree trimmings... They're all common, and they're all no big deal, certainly not worth spinning up a lobbying effort.

Per CVC 21208(a)(3) this is one of the situations you're permitted to escape the bike lane. Just merge left and continue on your way.

Nearly every Bay area city has existing sign ordinances that prohibit the placement of Open House Signs in the street including bike lanes. However, they're rarely, if ever, enforced. The local Boards of Realtors constantly remind their membership to comply with existing sign ordinances, but self-regulation hasn't prevented scofflaw Realtors. Some cities have confiscated illegally placed signs and held them until a penalty is paid. A phone call to that individual agent may help, but a call to the brokerage owner or manager works better. Complaints to cities for sign violation followed by the assessment of penalties to offending offices will, unfortunately, probably work best.

I hate to sound pessimistic, but part of my commute to work in the morning involves riding north on Los Padres Blvd past the C.W. Haman Elementary school. Los Padres in this part of town has a bike lane, and the school places traffic cones along a crosswalk in the intersection with Karen Drive, including one cone which is placed dead center in the bike lane.

Of all governmental organizations, an elementary school should be the most sensitive to bicycle transportation, and if they cannot avoid blocking the bike lane, I doubt that we will be able to get private individuals from blocking the bike lanes.

When I pass through this intersection, I position myself in the center of the lane - the positioning of the traffic cones makes the road too narrow to share, and therefore I assert my right to travel by positioning myself accordingly.