HomeMy WebLinkAbout2/6/2018 Item 12, Murray
Christian, Kevin
From:Kate Murray <katym2@gmail.com>
Sent:Monday,
To:E-mail Council Website
Subject:A SLO Bike Club member and Anholm resident's perspective on the proposed Bike
Blvd
Dear Mayor and Council,
I am very concerned about the safety hazards of the proposed bike boulevard on Chorro Street. The many driveway
crossings are likely to result in accidents. A bike path touted as “protected” will give inexperienced riders a false sense of
security. Experienced riders who are impatient will be unlikely to use it. They will most likely continue on the right side
of Chorro on trips northward to Foothill.
Please reconsider the Lincoln Street option. It does not solve the problems on Broad and Ramona Streets, but mitigates
the safety hazards of the Chorro route. I am a ride leader for the SLOBC (bike club). I take my group down Lincoln Street
whenever we ride north from downtown. My cyclists love it! No stop signs or intersections for 5 blocks. It’s wide and
pretty—many trees. The inexperienced riders you hope to attract would likely prefer it too. Safer and more scenic. It
would solve most of the parking disruption that would result from the Chorro Street option. I live on Lincoln, and I’m
fine with increasing the cycle traffic on my street. I want people to be safe.
I’m also concerned about my neighbors on both sides of Chorro who will deal with the traffic congestion and loss of
parking. For the elderly, especially those whose driveways are less accessible in this 70-year-old neighborhood, losing
street side parking is a hardship that could compromise the independence they may presently enjoy. Or they may have
accessible driveways but be afraid to back out of them once the bike lane is installed. It’s hard to look two ways for bikes
and for cars beyond the bike lane. It may be impossible for some. Are the elderly residents of no account? I trust the
council is not that callous!
I think cheaper fix-ups could make our neighborhood more bike friendly. Signage, lights, traffic calming, renewed
striping on Broad Street. Yes, Share the Road! And refurbishing the weak link — the 101 underpass. Ugh! It’s a
depressing gateway to downtown. Perhaps some of these lesser options should be considered before proceeding with
the expensive and potentially dangerous enclosed bike paths on Chorro, Broad, and Ramona.
Respectfully,
Kate Murray
220 Lincoln Street
1