HomeMy WebLinkAbout9/4/2018 Item 15, Craig
Purrington, Teresa
From:Michelle Craig <michelle_craig1@cuesta.edu>
Sent:Monday, September 3, 2018 3:20 PM
To:E-mail Council Website
Subject:Bike safety in SLO
Dear City Council,
I support protected bike lanes and safer sidewalks. I first moved to San Luis Obispo in 2010 to leave behind the
dangerous streets of Los Angeles where I was struck on my bicycle by a Chevy Blazer in a 2007 hit-and-run
collision. I am still recovering from that collision. Three years after my collision and only after moving to SLO, I
bought a helmet from a local bike shop and purchased a bicycle from a 16-year old in Atascadero in
September 2010. My return to riding was greatly improved by living in rural Connecticut for three years where
I was able to regain my confidence on the road.
I returned to San Luis Obispo in 2016. I now ride for exercise, recreation, and social benefit. My partner bicycle
commutes to work five days a week. We ride to activities downtown on the weekends and evenings rather
than add to the auto congestion. We want to ride, but it is scary. The streets are more congested and drivers
distracted and/or aggressive.
I have had the pleasure of cycling in cities that support cycling and pedestrian communities - Montreal,
Canada; Copenhagen, Denmark; Boulder, CO; and Madison, WI. The Anholm Bikeway has the potential to help
put San Luis Obispo on a path to become a better city for cyclists and pedestrians.
I support the most beneficial Anholm Bikeway Plan: the proposed t wo-way cycle track on Chorro between
Lincoln and Mission, and a protected cycle track on Broad between Mission and Ramona by removing
parking from one side of the street.
Out of the three presented options, this is the only one that has protected bike lanes that will give riders
dedicated bike facilities protected from vehicle traffic. Additionally, there are a number of improvements
to the sidewalks and crossings as part of this option that would benefit those walking through the
neighborhood. Please support this option, too.
Thank you for your attention.
Sincerely,
Michelle
Michelle H. Craig, PhD
Art History
Fine Arts Division
michelle_craig1@cuesta.edu
805-546-3100 x2542
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