HomeMy WebLinkAbout2/28/2023 Item 1, Wolf
Laurie Wolf <
To:Advisory Bodies
Subject:Riding Bicycles on Sidewalks
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Dear Active Transportation Committee Members,
Please continue to prohibit bicycle riding on the sidewalks of San Luis Obispo.
Since my early youth here in the 1950s when kids stayed off the sidewalks with their bikes, I have never seen
enforcement of this prohibition. Now several times a week I must step off the curb into the street to avoid being hit (!)
by adult bicyclists. Who is thinking of the pedestrians?
My neighborhood is near Tank Farm and Broad Street with miles of sidewalks. None of the sidewalks are wide enough to
allow for the safety of the passing of one person and a bicycle. Now imaging a person walking one or two dogs, pushing
a stroller or helping a friend or family member with a walker. This is not fair for the pedestrians.
The days leading up to and after garbage collection day the sidewalk is cluttered with the wheeled bins as cars wanting
to park move the bins up on the side walk. Additional sidewalk obstacles come from the placement of fire plugs and mail
kiosks. Invariably the bicyclist expect and require the pedestrians to step aside.
The electric, very quiet, very fast bicycles have come upon me from behind with disagreeable results for me. I've been
startled out of my wits and even been hit by the passing handlebars. Yet my doctors continue to encourage me to keep
walking to promote good health.
Bicycles on the sidewalk are not healthy for pedestrians. As a pedestrian I ask you to provide me safety from bicycles on
the sidewalk.
Thank you for considering my comments,
Laurie Wolf
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