HomeMy WebLinkAbout3/17/2020 Item 15, Waddel
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From:Waddel, Serena N. <
To:E-mail Council Website
Subject:City Council Agenda Item 15 - Allocation of un-designated funds
Dear San Luis Obispo City Council Members,
I am emailing tonight to ask that you please allocate funding for quick build projects. Specifically, I would like to see the city
add protected bike lanes
pursue a very aggressive timeline to build out a core bicycle network
create the safest experience for all roadway users
I grew up in a family of cyclists and have experienced horrible and spectacular riding conditions in places all over the world. My
experiences here as a commuter cyclist have been varied. I truly enjoy waving hello to my fellow cyclists and pedestrians on my rides
to and from work.
My commute takes me from Foothill area over to RRM by the corner of Tank Farm and S. Higuera as such I also experience the worst
of commuting by bike. The intersection of Higuera and Marsh and Higuera and Madonna are some of the worst conditions I’ve
experienced while riding. While I consider myself an experienced cyclist, my nerves end up fried when I need to
merge with speeding traffic at the Madonna and S. Higuera intersection. It is also a daily occurrence for drivers
to cut into the bike lane at the bend just beyond the cemetery. When a commuter cyclist needs to do battle
for road space with a semi. The semi will win.
Recently, there has been a lot of road work along S Higuera and that leads to poor signage, dirty streets and me merging
into 40mph+ traffic when the work signs are placed in the bike lane without prior warning. Twice in the last month I’ve
pulled inch long nails from my tires.
Many of my co-workers are too scared to ride in because of the conditions listed above and opt to ride in instead. We
have the joy of living in a relatively small and flat town, there should be no reason for 3-4 mile commute by bike to not
be the first option for transportation. Yet, the fear of the conditions listed above can be a lot for new cyclists who may
not have the support, experience and training that I have. Last year I convinced my coworker after A LOT of guilt trips
and pleads to accompany me on her first ride to work. After a month or two of riding with her to and from work she
became comfortable enough to do the ride by herself. I am so proud she was able to put aside her fears, it helped that
she was able to purchase expensive safety gear to help her feel more visible.
This should not be the case! Cyclists, who are minimizing their impact on the roads and environment and thus reducing
the cities road maintenance expenses should not have to spend hundreds of dollars to feel mildly more safe.
I hope the Council sees the wisdom in investing in cyclists and pedestrians in order to make our community even stronger, healthier
and more sustainable in these trying times.
Thank you,
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SERENA WADDEL
Interior Designer
3765 S. Higuera Suite 102
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
(805) 543-179
www.rrmdesign.com
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