Q: Howdy: Several months ago an equestrian crossing was placed on La Novia Avenue in San Juan Capistrano at the San Juan Creek bridge. It is marked on the roadway with two thick white lines and a yellow diamond-shaped sign was installed on a shoulder designating it an equestrian crossing. It looks like a crosswalk. As I try to cross the paved street on my mountain bicycle, rarely will any car stop, even California Highway Patrol cruisers. What’s the story with an equestrian crossing — just something for looks?
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– Jay Elliott, Rancho Mission Viejo
A: Nah — or is it neigh?
At first blush, with parallel thick, white lines, it sure looked like a traditional crosswalk to Honk.
But it isn’t.
There are signs posted saying pedestrians shouldn’t cross there, and that the crossing is for equestrians.
The equestrian crossing on La Novia Avenue near the San Juan Creek Trail, as seen from the other side of the bridge. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The equestrian crossing on La Novia Avenue from another view. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The equestrian crossing. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
At look at the equestrian crossing on La Novia Avenue from above, via a drone. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
“The crossing … has been in place for at least the past decade and provides a connection between portions of the city’s trail network,” Sean Sabo, a principal analyst for the city, told Honk in an email. “Until recently, there were no pavement markings identifying the crossing. The thermoplastic markings currently in place were added as part of a recent pavement rehabilitation project. …
“The crossing is not designated for pedestrian use, as indicated by posted signage at the location,” he said. “Pedestrians traveling through the area should use the nearby signalized crossing at La Novia Avenue and Calle Arroyo.”
So mountain bikers and walkers taking that trail along the San Juan Creek need to make a hard left or right turn at La Novia and go to Calle Arroyo, cross there, and head back to the trail.
Honk doesn’t bet, but if he did, he would wager that most walkers and bikers just cross in the equestrian crossing.
Improvements are planned for the area, including replacing the 1957 bridge, which crosses over the creek there for motor vehicles, to add lanes. Lighting and the sidewalk will also get boosts.
“A beacon signal is also planned at the trail crossing to provide additional traffic control and improve safety for trail users crossing La Novia Avenue,” Sabo said. “The project is currently in the preliminary engineering and environmental review phase, with final design anticipated to begin in 2027 and construction currently anticipated to begin in 2030.”
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Q: I was traveling on Alicia Parkway in the middle lane of three lanes. A small school bus had pulled over to the curb just past Trabuco Road. Our light was green. I noticed a car in front of me, in the far-left lane, slow to an almost stop. I then noticed the bus had the stop sign out so I slowed down in the intersection but then the stop sign was pulled back. Do vehicles two lanes away from the bus need to stop in the intersection? There were no kids visible, so they must have been on the other side of the bus. I know if you are on a two-lane road that you must stop. Not sure here.
– John Wirth, Mission Viejo
A: In California, if you are approaching a school bus with red flashing lights on the same side of the road, you must stop; doing so in your lane is fine.
When on the opposing side, if no physical barrier exists, such as a planter median, you must stop as well.
An exception is when you are on the opposite side of the road, and there is a physical barrier — not just double white or yellow lines.
Another exception is if there is more than one lane in each direction, and you are on the opposing side of the road of the school bus.
Even if you are on the other side and don’t have to stop …
“I would slow down and proceed with caution — a kid could run out in the street, even if they aren’t supposed to,” said Brian Kinsey, an officer and spokesman for the California Highway Patrol in the San Juan Capistrano division.
And don’t stop in an intersection, he said, pull up behind or to the side of the bus.
To ask Honk questions, reach him at [email protected]. He only answers those that are published. To see Honk online: ocregister.com/tag/honk. Twitter: @OCRegisterHonk
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