HomeMy WebLinkAbout1/19/2023 Item 2, Peterson
Subject:Bikes on sidewalks
From: Shirley Peterson <
Sent: Friday, January 27, 2023 4:37:26 PM
To: Fukushima, Adam <AFukushi@slocity.org>
Subject: Bikes on sidewalks
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HI Adam
As someone who walks all over San Luis Obispo and sees the conditions of the sidewalks in
many parts of the city, I just can't see how adding bicycles to the sidewalks would be safe for
bicyclists and pedestrians. Many of our streets have uneven sidewalks (some of them are
uneven by 3-4"), broken sidewalks, and sidewalks so narrow that 2 people can't walk side by
side. Other's have sign posts, utility boxes, street lights, benches, etc. that also make it
impossible for 2 people to walk side by side.
The sidewalks we have are used by kids walking to school, people pushing strollers, pet owners
walking dogs, parents taking toddlers out for a walk, seniors exercising, and disabled people
using walkers, canes, and wheelchairs. Adding bicycles to the mix would make the sidewalks
unsafe and probably even less usable for pedestrian traffic.
I'm not opposed to safe options for bicyclists--my husband rides a bike. But I am opposed to
changes that take away safe, non-polluting options for non-bike riders--many who are elderly,
disabled, young families, runners, and pet owners. Why should all of these people have their
walking options limited when we already have bicycle lanes on many streets (with many more
coming) and some excellent bike trails in the city--all designed for cyclists to move around the
city?
Bicyclists tend to ride fast and it can be scary for pedestrians trying to use the same area. The
Railroad Trail is an example of speeding bicylcists making it uncomfortable for others to use the
trail. Even more so now that electric bikes have become popular.
As a personal experience, I have almost been hit by bicyclists on that trail and on the bicycle
lane that is part of the sidewalk on Orcutt Road. Pedestrians walk slowly and bicyclists generally
want to ride fast.
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I encourage the City to not add bicycles to sidewalk traffic. I also encourage the City to think
more broadly when considering pedestrian safety. Safer crossings are a good start, but
walkable sidewalks are equally important. In a one month period in the Fall of 2022 I witnessed
a friend trip over an uneven sidewalk in a downtown residential area and fall face first onto the
sidewalk. Her fall resulted in an injured and swollen knee, bruises on her arms, hands and face--
as well as her embarrassment of falling in front of friends. Less than two weeks later, I
witnessed a gentleman tripping over a curb on Monterey St. as he was trying to step from the
street to the sidewalk. He fell backwards and hit his head on the street. He was disoriented,
frightened, and embarrassed from his fall. His skin was completely torn off parts of his arms and
required ambulance service to get him medical treatment.
Please do not add bicycle traffic to our sidewalks. Instead, please use staff time to explore safer
sidewalks for pedestrians that allows more residents and guests to get around the City safer. I
do talk with some experience--when I moved here 24+ years ago, I chose to reside in an area
that allowed me to walk to work and my children to walk to high school.
Another thought--the ATC seems to be mainly individuals who are interested in promoting
bicycle safety. I suggest that 1-2 spots on the committee be reserved for people who can
advocate for other activity forms of transportation.
Thank you for your time and your serious consideration of my concerns. As always, please
contact me if you would like to discuss further.
Sincerely,
Shirley Peterson
805-748-1001
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