HomeMy WebLinkAbout9/4/2018 Item 15, Slaughter
Purrington, Teresa
From:Laura Slaughter <puravidalaura@gmail.com>
Sent:Monday, September 3, 2018 10:20 AM
To:E-mail Council Website
Subject:Anholm bike path
Dear esteemed Mayor and Council,
Thank you for your countless hours invested in coming up with a cohesive solution for our City that works for the
community at large as well as those in the Anholm neighborhood who are concerned about how bike paths may affect
their standard of living. You have listened ad nauseum to options and opinions, and I am impressed by your commitment
to find a solution that satisfies all citizens.
I am concerned that the the very vocal minority threaten our city's ability to stick to it's commitment to a Climate Action
Plan and the Safe Routes to Schools program. I'm writing you to remind you that when you vote on Tuesday Sept 4 on
the Anholm Bike Path, that you represent the whole city, not just a neighborhood. I will still be at work during the
council meeting (I am an Emergency Department RN at French), but hope that the voices of those unable to attend will
still be heard.
Before my husband Clint and I had children, we were fearless riders and felt SLO was easy to maneuver. After children,
we became more concerned about safety during bike commuting. For years we had our kids on the back of a cargo bike,
but now our boys weigh over 160 lbs combined and despite numerous electric bike modifications, they are just too
heavy for my back and they have to ride on their own. My sons are very physically capable of riding on their own.
Unfortunately, time after time we try to ride to school and across town, we have close calls. From our home to
downtown the ride is smooth sailing, as we use the Railroad Safety Trail and the Bicycle Boulevard. From downtown to
Pacheco Elementary School, however, we regularly witness close calls and what appears to be flagrant road rage. We do
not feel safe or welcome riding through the Northwest side of our town. We have yet to put cameras on our helmets,
but I think there are well documented incidents from other riders showing that the Northwest side of downtown
through to the Bishops Peak area has numerous pinch points for riders, and there is not a good alternative road. There
is no reason to think that these safety problems are going to improve on their own. If our city is committed to
multimodal transportation, Safe Routes to Schools, the Climate Action Plan, and the general health, wellness, and safety
of all of it's constituents, please vote in favor of the Anholm Bikeway Alternative with protected bike lanes.
Respectfully,
Laura Slaughter
resident of the City of San Luis Obispo
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