HomeMy WebLinkAbout9/19/2017 Item 15, Black
Christian, Kevin
From:Christopher Black <cblackride@aol.com>
Sent:Tuesday, September
To:E-mail Council Website
Subject:Avila Ranch & Bicycle Lanes
Attachments:CC Avila Ranch and Buckley Road.docx; PastedGraphic-1.tiff
Please see attached letter below
Thanks,
Chris Black
Safeway Cycling
San Luis Obispo, CA
Hudson, WI
1
To: San Luis Obispo Mayor Heidi Harmon and Council Members Dan Rivoire, Andy
Pease, Aaron Gomez and Carlyn Christianson
emailcouncil@slocity.org
September 19,2017
Re: Avila Ranch and continuous Class II bike lanes on Buckley Road
Dear Mayor Harmon and Council Members:
Please support continuous Class II bike lanes on Buckley Road as part of the Avila
Ranch Development Project proposed on 150 acres at 175 Venture Drive in San Luis
Obispo. Do not allow a major gap in the bicycle transportation network that will pose a
significant safety risk to people who ride bikes on Buckley Road between Higuera Street
and Highway 227.
The approval of Avila Ranch must include an agreement with San Luis Obispo County
for a timely fix of the approximate one-mile gap in the Class II bike lanes under the
current proposal. Please fulfill the numerous policies and goals that support multi-modal
transportation, including:
-The Land Use and Circulation Elements.
-The Bicycle Transportation Plan.
-The Climate Action Plan.
-The Gold Level Bicycle Friendly Designation by the League of American Bicyclists.
-Vision Zero.
The developer has agreed to add Class II bike lanes from Buckley Road’s extension to
Higuera Street to the eastern boundary of the project site, which leaves a gap to Thread
Lane in the unincorporated area. Completing this gap is outside the scope of the
developer’s responsibility.
This gap in the bicycle transportation network would effectively discourage most people
on bikes from riding to job sites, Los Ranchos Elementary School, the Octagon Barn,
Bob Jones Trail, Edna-Price Canyon segment of the Juan Bautista de Anza Trail and
other easily bikeable destinations in the vicinity of Higuera Street and Highway 227.
The 2015-16 County Bikeways Plan and 2013 City Bicycle Transportation Plan,
respectively, show continuous Class II bikes on Buckley Road between Highway 227
and Vachell Lane, including the one-mile segment in question. Both bike plans have
goals to increase bicycle usage, provide for a safer bicycling environment and
collaborate with other agencies to support a regional bicycle network.
Traffic will increase significantly as Avila Ranch is phased in and Buckley Road is
extended to Higuera Street, providing another connection for Highway 101 commuters
to Highway 227 and job sites. The San Luis Ranch project approved by City Council,
the proposed Froom Ranch project and other developments will generate even more
motor vehicle traffic.
Consistent Class II bike lanes on Buckley Road should be a priority for both the City and
County so people have a safe and convenient way to reach their destinations without
driving. Because of the development of Avila Ranch, Buckley Road must be an integral
part of the regional bicycle transportation network so people who want to ride bikes can
do so without fear of being hit by motorists.
Sincerely,
Christopher Black
3236 Daisy Lane
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401