HomeMy WebLinkAbout9/16/2021 Item 2, Brooks (2)
To: Active Transportation Committee Chair Arndt and members Dunaway, Jouet,
Martenies, Mills, Ogden and Roberts
From Lea Brooks, San Luis Obispo
Re: ATC Sept. 16 meeting, Agenda Item 2
Please support the South Higuera Quick Build Project from Marsh Street to Los Osos
Valley Road as the first major corridor for quick build activation. The potential for
significantly increasing trips by bike is high if conflicts with motorists at the numerous
intersections and driveways are addressed. Also support staff’s recommendation to
include at least $50,000 in the 2021-23 fiscal year budget for this project.
Ideally, South Higuera Street should be placed on a road diet to provide ample space
for active transportation and reduce conflicts caused by motorist speeding and weaving.
I recently had a frightening experience on southbound South Higuera Street between
Suburban and Los Osos Valley Road. Unfortunately, the signal turned red at Suburban,
backing up motor vehicle traffic. When the signal turned green, the long line of motorists
was reluctant to let me move over to the through lane. I signaled left and moved over
when there was a small break. When the driver of the pickup truck who let me cross
over as he was preparing to turn right onto Los Osos Valley Road, he rolled down his
window and said, “My truck is bigger than your bike.” The child sitting next to him,
presumably her father, heard him make that threat. Unfortunately, there are bullies on
the road, often in monster pickup trucks. We need this Quick Build Project ASAP to
reduce conflict points.
Also, please add Madonna Road between the entrance to the Madonna Inn and South
Higuera Street to the Quick Build Project. With the multiuse path on the north side of
Madonna Road essentially complete, the missing link (in addition to the Madonna Trail
overcrossing at the Higuera/Marsh streets/Highway 101 intersection) is this segment.
It’s wonderful to see Laguna Middle School students bicycling to school on Madonna
Road! It’s time to fill this gap and provide a complete route between downtown and the
Madonna/Los Osos Valley Road area with a complete Safe Routes to School.
I also support Kevin Christian’s suggestion in his Sept. 13 comments to you on Cross
Section Map 2 (Attachment B) in favor of a painted buffer for the southbound section at
the complicated intersection with Madonna Road rather than physical barriers.