Badly placed crosswalk should be removed Badly placed crosswalk should be removed (January 28, 2004)

The tragic accident that took the life of 75-year-old Atefeh "Amy" Bijan January 9 is a call to examine all crosswalks that may lull pedestrians into thinking they are safe regardless of the speed and frequency of traffic using the street.

The West Menlo Park stretch of Santa Cruz Avenue where Ms. Bijan died runs south from the intersection of the Alameda de las Pulgas to Sand Hill Road, about a quarter mile of four-lane roadway that is interrupted only by the unsignaled crosswalk at Palo Alto Way, where the accident occurred.

Details of the investigation have not been released, but police said there were no skid marks, indicating that 83-year-old Atherton resident Adele Elliot, who was driving a small sports car, never saw Ms. Bjian in the crosswalk. Under California law, drivers are supposed to stop for a pedestrian in a crosswalk, although pedestrians are advised to make eye contact with drivers, especially if they are traveling at relatively high speeds. On Santa Cruz Avenue, the 35 mph limit means pedestrians should not leave the curb if motorists are less than 100 feet away, according to the CHP.

County Supervisor Rich Gordon is on the right track. He told the Almanac last week that the crosswalk may be removed if the county cannot afford to install warning lights that would flash if a pedestrian planned to use the crosswalk. Mr. Gordon pointed out that there are signaled crosswalks at either end of the block, which should be adequate to serve the needs of the neighborhood.

Such a plan may work for adults wishing to cross the busy thoroughfare, but for the fourth- through eighth-grade students on their way to La Entrada School on Sharon Road, even the signaled intersections are dangerous, especially crossing Santa Cruz Avenue where it bears right at Alameda de las Pulgas and heads into downtown Menlo Park. A crossing guard could add a margin of safety here.

The death of Ms. Bijan points out once again the difficulty of accommodating a four-lane arterial road heavily used by commuters in a neighborhood where pedestrians and schoolchildren must walk or bike to and from their destinations every day.

Only a few blocks north of the site of the accident, the county is completing work on the Alameda streetscape renovation between Avy and Ashton avenues. The project adds sidewalks and bike lanes, and reduces the four-lane portion of the road to two lanes with a center turning lane. By narrowing the street, and providing bulb-outs at some intersections, pedestrians have shorter crossing distances and a better chance at making eye contact with slower-moving motorists.

There is no question that crossing the busy four lanes of the Alameda and Santa Cruz Avenue is a challenge for even the most agile pedestrian. But elderly walkers and schoolchildren are especially vulnerable unless motorists are slowed down or stopped at an intersection. Mr. Gordon is right in calling for removal of the crosswalk at Palo Alto Way, unless warning lights can be installed. In fact, it would be safer to close this crosswalk for good now, and perhaps install a permanent memorial plaque for Ms. Bijan.

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