HomeMy WebLinkAbout9/4/2018 Item 15, OHara
Christian, Kevin
From:Christie O'Hara <
To:E-mail Council Website
Subject:I support protected bike lanes! Agenda Item 15
Dear Mayor and Council,
I want to express my support for the Anholm Bikeway plan that includes protected bike lanes. As city staff have stated
during several previous meetings, protected bike lanes are the most likely to attract more people to ride their bike. As a
community we have made it a priority to reduce the number of single occupancy vehicle trips and give our community
the opportunity to make healthier transportation choices. There is a plethora of reasons why more people biking
benefits our community and environment. For a century our streets we designed only to accommodate cars which has
led to some serious environmental and health impacts that need to be addressed sooner rather than later. I want to
help make the shift for the greater good of our community and hope you will make the tough to decision to rethink the
way we utilize our public right of ways.
I know this issue has unfortunately become a highly political topic, but I want to thank you all for considering all the
options and doing what is best for the public. I truly believe that if we have more protected bike lanes it will become
safer for cyclists on the road and encourage more to ride. I live in the "Foothill District" and have recently just
purchased a new electric bike to commute to work and hopefully to do my grocery shopping, and if I start to feel more
comfortable riding it on the roads I hope to one day sell my car in favor of biking everywhere. However, it is still scary
riding around everyday. Many drivers don't always look for cyclists on the road, and many are still texting despite the
law. Every week I hear about someone being hit because of a distracted driver and it is becoming all too common. I
commuted everyday to work 15 years ago, stopped about 5 years ago when the roads became scary and all too often I
would see drivers texting. I'm excited to begin commuting again and hope that you will approve the project for
protected bike lanes so I can feel safer on the road. Being "doored" by a car hurts when you are riding through an area
with parked cars, and being scared of being run over shouldn't be the norm.
I recently came across this article about "building the cycling city" and would encourage you all to read it if you have the
time: https://www.vox.com/science-and-health/2018/8/28/17789510/bike-cycling-netherlands-dutch-infrastructure
Be a part of the change we need to see in our community. I know these decisions are hard, but you have the support of
many in this community, although we might not be as vocal as others. You are all well respected by many and I thank
you all for your time and dedication to this topic. Protected bike lanes will make SLO a better place for everyone!
Sincerely,
Christie O'Hara
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