Hurry Up and Paint the Fog Lines

Last week’s paving job (see photo) makes Rocky Point Road a joy to drive on. Until the fog lines are painted, however, the road is a bit dangerous for cyclists. I hope Kitsap County Public Works realizes that and makes the painting job a top priority.

I ride my bike on Rocky Point Road a lot. Unless I drive somewhere to take a bike ride, I ride on it every day. I have to take Rocky Point Road to get anywhere as I live about a half-mile from the closest outlet road. Now I’m wondering if I should stop riding altogether or take remote rides only until paving and painting are complete.

So what’s the danger? The ultra-smooth new blacktop is so quiet that I cannot hear most cars until they are just a few yards away from overtaking me. It’s as if every car is a Nissan Leaf.

Since there are no fog lines yet, the problem is compounded. There’s no mark to help me stay on “my part” of the road. Much of the time I’m probably closer to the center than I should be. Most drivers passing cyclists give them plenty of room, unless there is oncoming traffic. I have had more close calls in the last few days than I need.

The irony is that the county’s portion of Rocky Point Road has a wide and level shoulder on its west side. It’s not a bike lane, but it is wide enough to be one. The county just needs to hurry up with the painting job so that pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers know where it is.

I called Public Works today to find out when the fog lines will be added. The person I spoke to didn’t know.

The story changes when Rocky Point Road enters the Bremerton city limits. There the road is its old rough chip-sealed potholed self. I don’t like that stretch of Rocky Point Road much because there is no paved shoulder to speak of. But even without one, it now seems safer than the county’s portion. There’s enough road noise to keep me from becoming roadkill.

Bremerton has a different road-maintenance schedule than Kitsap County. When the city does resurface their part—and that might be years from now—it would be great if they add a paved shoulder and paint the fog lines right away.