More Bike Turnouts Installed, Inspired By 'The Legend Of Mt. Diablo'

MOUNT DIABLO, CA— The California State Parks Foundation recently celebrated the completion of 22 new bike turnouts at Mount Diablo State Park, bringing the total to 67 bike turnouts in the park. The turnouts allow bicyclists, who move at slower speeds as they pedal uphill, to pull out of the main traffic lane so vehicles can safely pass.

The new turnouts were inspired by the memory of the late Joe Shami, who was a passionate advocate for increasing safety for bicyclists and cars at Mount Diablo State Park. Known by locals as "The Legend of Mount Diablo," Shami's passion for Mount Diablo State Park and cycling was exemplified by over a decade of weekly trips up the mountain well into his 80s.

"Tragically, Joe was struck and killed by a vehicle while riding his bicycle in Lafayette," said Randy Widera, director of programs for the California State Parks Foundation. "Although he is not with us today, Joe left a special gift in his will to the California State Parks Foundation. This gift helped make these additional bike turnouts on Mount Diablo possible. We know Joe would be pleased that his generous gift is making Mount Diablo safer for bicyclists to enjoy."

California State Parks, California State Parks Foundation and Mount Diablo Cyclists partnered to build the new bike turnouts. Money raised for the project was $927,000, and Shami's gift was over $123,000.

Cycling at Mount Diablo State Park has long been popular yet dangerous. From 2010 to 2014, there was an average of 23 car and bike collisions per year. According to California State Park officials, this also frequently resulted in road rage showdowns between drivers and riders. After the first turnouts were created, collisions dropped to three accidents in two years, and road rage significantly diminished.

California State Parks allocated the same amount as Joe’s gift from the department’s annual roads allocation funding to this project. Taking this initial funding as a challenge, a group of volunteers comprised of Alan Kalin, Mark Dedon and Ted Trambley spent four months doing outreach in the park and at Peet’s Coffee in Danville with locals, cyclists and visitors to raise additional funds.

"The new bike turnouts on Mount Diablo are a testament to Joe Shami’s inspirational life,” Dedon said. "The community understands the importance of the new turnouts for the safety of both bicyclists and motorists. People we spoke with were happy to contribute to make these turnouts a reality."

Through their efforts and with the support of the California State Parks Foundation, they inspired over 300 individuals, organizations and companies to donate the additional funding needed to make the bike turnouts possible.