League cycling instructor urges drivers, riders to 'slow our role' at Encinitas senior-commission meeting

Christine Schindler, a League Cycling Instructor and Safe Routes to School educator, told the Encinitas Senior Citizen Commission on April 15 that drivers, cyclists and pedestrians all share responsibility for street safety and that expanded education can reduce risky interactions on local roads.

Schindler, who said she runs bike-education classes in Encinitas and across San Diego County, described the city’s three-hour cycling course — one hour classroom, one hour skills drills and one hour on-street practice — and encouraged commissioners to attend to better understand the instruction older and younger riders receive. "We need to slow our role, be more aware and be looking out for each other to create safer streets for everyone," she said.

Why it matters: Commissioners raised concerns about unpredictable behavior from some e-bike riders and teenagers, and about older drivers’ ability to react when cyclists are not visible or predictable. Schindler said education for both riders and drivers can reduce crashes caused by so-called "right hooks" — when a vehicle turns right into a bicyclist proceeding straight — and she urged visible clothing, working lights and awareness of lane positioning to avoid those conflicts.

Schindler described local and county-level support for education. She said Encinitas offers more city-administered cycling classes than other San Diego cities and that three local school districts require bike-education to obtain bike-parking permits. She also asked the commission to support intergenerational events such as IG Games and Cyclovia, which remove cars from selected streets for a portion of the day to encourage walking and biking.

Commissioner Ramona Angel, an avid cyclist who attended a 55-plus bicycle safety session led by Schindler, said the course was "invaluable" and recommended more classes targeted to older drivers and adult-only bike classes. Commissioner Ling said the Health & Safety Commission and the Youth Commission have proposed similar intergenerational programs and urged combined outreach.

In response to a question about right-of-way at intersections, Schindler said a bicyclist traveling straight usually has priority over a vehicle turning right, but she emphasized that positioning — "take the lane" in narrow streets — and anticipation reduce the frequency of collisions. She also noted e-bikes can make it difficult to judge a rider’s speed: "Now if they're going 30 miles an hour ... they may not be on a bike at all," she said, referring to speed and classification differences for some electric devices.

Schindler recommended practical visibility measures for older riders and scooter users: lights, bright clothing, slap bands and flags. She said the League of American Bicyclists, the San Diego County Bicycle Coalition and city programs provide curricula and that she will offer more adult-focused classes this summer.

The commission had no vote tied to Schindler’s presentation. Commissioners expressed support for more driver-focused and senior-targeted education and asked staff to consider collaborative events with the Youth Commission and upcoming city programs such as Cyclovia on May 18.