HomeMy WebLinkAbout06_28-29_2017 PC Correspondence - Avila Ranch (Bike SLO County - Bennett) (2) 860 Pacific St, Suite 105 | San Luis Obispo, CA | 93401
Mike Bennett
LtCol USMC Ret.
Executive Director
mike@bikeslocounty.org
27 June 2017
Dear Chairman Stevenson and Planning Commission Members,
At the end of last night’s discussion of the Avila Ranch Project you mentioned that you were not
clear on the position that Bike SLO County is taking on the Development. Bike SLO County is
neutral on the specific project as we are endeavoring to be on all future projects of this type just
as the Chamber and YMCA are neutral on projects.
We are however supportive of many of the bicycle and pedestrian friendly attributes that have
been incorporated in the planned development. The developer has done a great job. The bike
lanes and paths within the confines of the development are excellent. The planned Class I and II
connections to the Octagon Barn/Bob Jones Trail are fantastic, and the Class II bike lanes on
Vachel and Earthwood are quite good when compared wi th existing facilities in the area.
We join our friends at the San Luis Obispo Bike Club, however, in their concern over the fact
that these connections terminate at locations that are currently not welcoming and are in some
cases unsafe for commuting (including Ebikes) or recreational bicyclists, especially those who
are new to riding or a bit uncomfortable riding in or near lots of traffic.
The paths and bike lanes that the developer is planning to create are good and their efforts are
very much appreciated, but the bicycling infrastructure/facilities that these paths and lanes
connect to are inadequate. We are asking you to ask the City Council to consider this as they
think about this project and as they continue their efforts to improve facilities that support multi-
modal transportation. The completion of the Bob Jones trail to the Octagon Barn from LOVR,
Class II bike lanes on Suburban, and eventual Class I multi use paths along Tank Farm and
Buckley out to 227 are the connections what will move SLO toward 20% mode share travel by
bicycles. The connections that the developer is planning to build are great, but they are not
going to get a lot of people to consider cycling to work or town if the routes they connect to are
frightening to most existing or potential cyclists. Thank you again for the opportunity to comment
Respectfully,
Mike
BI KE SLO COUN T Y b i k e sl o c o u n t y.o r g