HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/30/2020 Item 2, Richard
Wilbanks, Megan
From:BK Richard <
To:Advisory Bodies
Subject:ATC Communication
Dear Commissioners,
I really liked the Active Transportation Plan. It seems balanced … and ambitious. I am hopeful that the City
will aggressively pursue implementation.
One thing that only got glancing discussion is the advent of all sorts of scooters, wheeled electric platforms,
electric bicycles, motorized skateboards. I think it’s important to:
- acknowledge how big this has become as a phenomenon
- discuss how this fulfills some goals (electrifying transportation, making transportation more affordable for
some)
- acknowledge how it all complicates planning
- describe how it is or is likely to add to the safety challenges
Further, it seems very unclear what the rules are. Perhaps this is worth a full blown policy discussion,
including what kind of enforcement is possible or practical.
\[On a personal note, most of my “close calls” or “freak out” moments on the road recently have come from this
sort of alternative transportation mode being used on sidewalks, at night with no lights (bicyclists are guilty in
this regard, also), riding the wrong way, … \].
Of course, I’d like to see the dream of having all parts of the Bob Jones Pathway connected at the Octagon
Barn Center (the LOVR/City segment, the segment to Avila, and the segment along Buckley). I know it will
happen, but effort to bring this to fruition quickly, in my opinion, would energize people to get on their bikes for
fun/exercise/health … and maybe have the inspiration to use alternative transportations more universally in
their lives. This regional network would be a sensation, with value in the way the City is perceived as well as in
the meaningful connectivity it would produce. Finally, it would be very cost effective if this segment were
implemented as part of the Buckley Road bike path; doing the paths asynchronously could involve a lot of extra
work and re-work.
Finally, I’d like to add my own compendium of “dangerous places”. I ride from San Luis to Avila Beach every week and
have carefully noticed all of the risky situations I’ve encountered within the City that should have some attention. Many
of these are on your lists of priorities; many are not:
- some signals can’t sense bicycles present so hitting a button is necessary. If it is a bikeway (with the green paint), the
light should always change whether a car is present or not.
- Southbound. Staying on Higuera from the light at South Street to past the Caltrans Building is a tricky maneuver.
- Southbound. From BJT at LOVR to the corner at Higuera is very narrow, with an uneven surface. Cars frequently
violate the 3’ rule here.
- Northbound. Crossing Higuera at Elks Lane is extremely dangerous. There should be some measure to help there (e.g.
and island, signal, … ). Avoiding this generally means riding Higuera from LOVR instead of the BJT northbound.
- Northbound. Higuera at South Street is extremely dangerous (I’ve been bumped by a car). Drivers can’t see or ignore
the bike symbology painted on the road (it’s typically covered by another car) and the lanes are extremely narrow. As
an option to go further north, I’ve been using Bridge Street to Beebee and crossing South Street and then up
Buchon. This is a great way to go, BUT it involves a crossing at Beebee and South Street. \[Protection for a bike crossing
here would be extremely helpful, plus make Buchon more obvious as a bikeway\].
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- Northbound. The segment of Buchon between Osos and Santa Rosa is very narrow. It should be marked with the
bicycle right of way symbology.
Thank you for your work on behalf of more and safer bicycling in San Luis.
B. K. Richard
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