HomeMy WebLinkAboutcc - Meyer (Penny Lane Bike Path) 492018 (2)
To: Eric Meyer
Subject: RE: Penny Lane bike path and bridge over UPRR
Eric,
Thank you for your input. Your message has been conveyed to City Council, both the Public Works and Community
Development Directors, City Transportation staff, as well as the Active Transportation Committee.
Respectfully,
Kevin Christian
Administrative Assistant
City Administration
City Clerk's Office
990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401-3218 E kchristian@slocity.org T 805.781.7104 slocity.org
-----Original Message -----
From: Eric Meyer <
Sent: Sunday, April 8, 2018 1:56 PM
To: Fukushima, Adam <AFukushima@slocity.org>; Bochum, Tim <tbochum@slocity.org>; Grigsby, Daryl
<dgrigsby@slocity.org>; E-mail Council Website <emailcouncil@slocity.org>; Advisory Bodies
<advisorybodies@slocity.org>; Codron, Michael <mcodron@slocity.org>
Subject: Penny Lane bike path and bridge over UPRR
To: Bicycle advisory group, multi modal committee, City Council, Adam, Tim, Daryl, Michael,
0
I continue to see Penny Lane being discussed as a ped/bike path and terminus for a Ped/Bike bridge from Fairview (and
French Hospital) over the UPRR. I would like to remind you that the slope of Penny Lane is too steep for a ped bike path.
I don't think the city realizes just how steep Penny Lane is.
The CalTrans highway design manual states a maximum allowed bike path grade of 5% and suggests a maximum
extended grade of 2%. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) states maximum ramp slopes of 5% grade.
The sloped portion of Penny Lane is greater than 11% on average, and as much as 14% at the steepest section, over
several hundred feet. This is between double and triple the maximum ADA and highway design manual allowable slope
for pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure.
I would strongly suggest you survey this slope before spending any additional time or city funds on design or feasibility
studies utilizing Penny Lane. In all honesty.. you don't even need a survey. Just go try and ride your bike up that Penny
Lane hill with a child or older adult. Then imagine trying it in a wheelchair.
The current ped/bike option, Johnson Ave., is already steep and thus only used by strong cyclists (and a few
pedestrians). If we want to encourage users of all ages and abilities we should be improving the conditions for
pedestrians and cyclists... not making the new routes even steeper.
A bridge/ramp connection from Fairview(or elsewhere on French Hospital Property) to the Toro Street Bike Blvd is a far
better solution because it could be designed to allow for a legal 5% slope. It would also be a direct connection to the
existing bicycle network.
Because you are currently reviewing plans for expansion of French Hospital this connection is really important to figure
out... right now.
We want to encourage all ages and abilities to bike and walk... so we need infrastructure that makes it easier than
driving. Steep slopes will only discourage cycling and walking.
Thank you.
Eric Meyer