HomeMy WebLinkAbout9/4/2018 Item 15, Brooks ATC
Sept. 23, 2018
From: Lea Brooks, Chair
City Active Transportation Committee
To: Mayor Harmon and Council Members Christianson, Gomez, Pease and Rivoire
Re: Anholm Bikeway, Sept. 4 agenda item
As chair of the City Active Transportation Committee (ATC), previously the Bicycle
Advisory Committee, I would like to explain why we have recommended twice that the
City Council approve protected bike lanes on Chorro Street and consideration for a
protected bike lane facility on Broad Street.
-The 2013 Bicycle Transportation Plan includes the Broad Street Bicycle Boulevard
between Monterey Street and Ramona Drive, including a bicycle/pedestrian crossing of
Highway 101. The plan was optimistic that Caltrans would close the on- and offramps at
Broad earlier than later. Unfortunately, Caltrans has indicated to city staff that that these
on- and offramps will remain open for many years. This means that bicyclists and
pedestrians on Broad must divert to Chorro Street anyway to cross Highway 101 until a
freeway crossing is constructed, presumably after the on- and offramps are closed.
-The alternative with protected bike lanes the ATC supports maintains traffic volumes
about equally on Chorro and Broad. We felt that increasing traffic on Chorro was unfair,
especially since bicyclists and pedestrians will have to divert to Chorro anyway to cross
Highway 101.
-We believe that protected bike lanes will increase trips by bike more than the other
alternatives. A bicycle boulevard on Broad Street without protected bike lanes means
bicyclists and motorists will be sharing the road. Traffic will be slowed by traffic calming
devices, but our experiences show that many motorists are impatient when they are
behind people on bikes and pass unsafely and aggressively, even around children
riding to school.
-We are concerned about a loss of parking spaces, but believe that meeting the city’s
Climate Action Plan and 20 percent trips-by-bike goal are essential to maintaining the
City’s commitment to protecting the environment and transportation choice. People are
not going to ride bikes unless they feel safe, and more people feel safe in protected bike
lanes.
I am available to discuss the ATC’s Anholm Bikeway recommendation and/or to answer
questions. Please contact me at leabrooks332@gmail.com.