pages: TransportationCommission/2016-01-27.pdf, 9
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TransportationCommission | 2016-01-27 | 9 | Jim Strehlow stated that the Alameda Transportation Commission would soon become the Alameda Traffic Creation Congestion Commission with this type of design. He felt this was the worse type of design he has seen. He said to put up a cycle track would give a green light for cyclists to go faster than the vehicles that would be stopped in traffic along Atlantic Avenue. He said the reason the data was not shown in vehicle figures per hour, per minute because they are 100:1 of vehicles to bicyclists if not 200:1 on that section. Furthermore, he said if they take away a lane on Constitution Way there would be many vehicles making a right turn from Atlantic Avenue to Constitution Way because they are headed to South Shore and other locations. He explained that currently 6-7 cars back up trying to make a right turn. He said with one lane closed to Webster Street, cars will back up all the way to the driveway next to Walgreens and this will create a traffic nightmare. He pointed out that he uses the bus stop frequently in front of Walgreens that would be taken away. He suggested that staff design something using paint instead of a cycle track and staff would almost have to make a special traffic signal for bicycles and one for cars. Jon Spangler, Alameda resident and a League of American Cycling Instructor, said he has been involved in this project since he joined the Cross Alameda Trail steering committee in 1999 or 2000 and served with Lucy Gigli. He stated that he was happy to see this interim proposal come before the Commission. He pointed to the fact that there was no law prohibiting cyclists to go faster in a safe way than the cars stuck in traffic next to them. He explained that the intersections of Atlantic Avenue, Webster Street and Constitution Way are already jammed up, so there would not be a huge difference in the future. He felt more people on transit would help the situation that is why AC Transit should be included in the discussion. As a lead cycling instructor he understood the need for bicyclists moving at the speed of traffic to be assured access to through traffic lanes and automobiles do not own those lanes. He noted that when the Webster Plaza was approved by the City Council around 1998, they removed the traffic access, 11-12 feet of easement, on the south side of Atlantic Avenue in order to provide enough parking to meet current code. He went on to say that City Council removed a legitimate Cross Alameda Trail right of way from the belt line railway access, which should be considered when looking at removing the sidewalk, landscape, and parking spaces in the Webster Square development in order to restore what was taken away. Otherwise, the City will never see a Bus Rapid Transit line across the island of Alameda, which was envisioned from the beginning. He stated that the data only included vehicle LOS and staff did not talk about pedestrian or bicycle speeds increasing in the area or increased safety and must be included in the final report. He felt the mid-block crossing was a good idea, as well as the cycle track and he suggested a lane configuration adjustment to reduce the traffic median from 6 feet to 4 or 3 feet. He believed that would give a 12-foot traffic lane going eastbound for automobiles and consequently make the cycle track 11 or 12 feet wide, which is safer. He explained that right hand turns from Atlantic Avenue to Constitution Way would be a legitimate issue. He felt a bike box could be a viable option or they could prohibit right turns from Atlantic Avenue to Constitution Way because there are other ways to get onto Constitution Way. Also, a pedestrian and bike scramble could work. Commissioner Miley said Jon Spangler had many good ideas and he should share them with staff. He explained that he supported a cycle track because the track would be a safe, consistent and continuous trail all the way through. However, he was concerned with questions surrounding the data in order to understand the situations happening within the area. He was unaware of the Page 9 of 16 | TransportationCommission/2016-01-27.pdf |