HomeMy WebLinkAbout2/28/2023 Item 1, Ayral
From:Odile Ayral <
To:Advisory Bodies
Subject:ATC Communication #1
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Dear Active Transportation Committee Members,
If you are thinking of allowing bicycles on sidewalks either on Mill Street or downtown, please consider the following:
1. For obvious reasons, mixing different modes of transportation is never a good idea.
2. Pedestrian safety ought to be the number one priority.
3. The width of the sidewalks is very important if you don't want to see regular collisions between bicycles and
pedestrians. If the sidewalk is not wide enough to allow bikes to pass pedestrians safely and with plenty of room, don't
do it.
4. Countries that allow bicycle riding on sidewalks generally limit the age group, ie., under age 13 and above age 65.
5. The speed ridden by cyclists ought to be sharply limited so that they can stop before hurting innocent pedestrians, ie.
never above 10 miles an hour.
6. Do not allow electric bicycles on sidewalks.
At Johnson Ranch, I was run off the trail twice by bicycles, and the second time I had to grab a bush to avoid sliding
downhill (glad there was one!) My husband was almost hit on Highland by a family riding on the sidewalk and paying no
attention. And I am sure that almost everyone has similar stories to tell. So please, weigh your options very carefully
before you make a final decision, and consider to what extent the city would be responsible if a serious accident
happened.
Sincerely,
Odile Ayral
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