pages: TransportationCommission/2005-04-27.pdf, 5
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TransportationCommission | 2005-04-27 | 5 | Chair Knox White Opened Public Comment Jon Spangler asked what security would be provided for the bicycle parking, and whether this area is covered. He also requested that signage be added at the vehicular entrance to make it clear that bicycles can use this entrance. Mr. Spangler stated that the building should be designed so that it may be converted to retail space if needed in the future. He also stated that the Class II bike lanes on Oak Street are important, and indicated that he supported widening Oak Street in the future for safety purposes, but not to add more lanes. Mr. Spangler expressed his support for the views of Bike Alameda, and stated that the project should be designed to give bicyclists equivalent access to Park Street as motor vehicles. He indicated his support for the removal of diagonal parking on Central Avenue. Treya Weintraub expressed her support for restoring the bike lane on Central Avenue between Walnut Street and Oak Street and removing the angled parking. Lucy Gigli, the president of Bike Alameda, asked the Commission to address the project in terms of bicycle safety, noting that with 350 parking spaces that many more vehicles will be present at this location. She stated that improvements at this location are especially important, due to the proximity to Park Street, the main library, and City Hall. Bike Alameda recommends several mitigations: Ms. Gigli stated that currently bicyclists on Central Avenue are routed onto sidewalk and are redirected into the street in the Park Street district, where there is significant traffic. She recommended restoring the bike lanes on Central Avenue between Walnut Street and Oak Street She requested that shared roadway stencils and signs be installed along Oak Street from Lincoln Avenue to Encinal Avenue in place of the potential future bike lanes; this will help to alert both bicyclists and drivers to one another. Ms. Gigli asked for assurance that bike lanes will not be precluded on Oak Street and that 10' travel lanes will be acceptable Ms. Gigli requested that these improvements be implemented as part of the garage project. Andy Cutright stated that one reason he and his family decided to move to Alameda was because of the bike lanes, and that the community and economy will be enhanced by maintaining safe access for vehicles, pedestrians, and bicyclists. He stated that bike lanes are preferable to signage only, but that signs are preferable to no bicycle designation. Cheri Galan stated that she prefers to use her bike rather than a car, and that she feels unsafe when riding with her children on streets without bike lanes. She stated that it is important to have a north-south bicycle facility near Park Street, Grand Avenue is too far away, and that it is important to address issue now, not in planning off in the future. Rochelle Reed stated that she lives on south end of Oak Street and works on Blanding, that she commutes by bike, but doesn't use Oak Street. She expressed concerns that Oak Street currently feels unsafe to bike, and the parking garage will make it less safe. Transportation Commission Page 5 of 8 April 27, 2005 | TransportationCommission/2005-04-27.pdf |