pages_fts: 137
This data as json
rowid | text |
---|---|
137 | (four lanes of traffic and uncontrolled crosswalks) as the area around Maya Lin School. He said kids think it is safe to go and someone driving 35 mph can take them out. He felt two lanes with a center turn lane is a big difference than a two lane road. He explained that he use to live south of Central Avenue and motorists only have to go across one lane to get into the center lane and merge. He went on to say if Caltrans approved a project it is not a takeover of the bicycle groups. Ultimately, he supported the project. Karen Bay, 5th Street and Taylor Avenue resident, said she is a 15-year ferry rider. She explained that she attended a transportation meeting on November 16 and was told that the ferry experienced a 30 percent increase in the last two years and she has seen it. She has also seen a lot of people riding their bikes to the ferry and a lot of children riding their bikes to school. She said the problem with Santa Clara Avenue is that it is not safe infrastructure for cyclists. So, she approved the project because it is important for students and commuters going to the ferry and for Alameda Point as whole. Peter Baron stated that he organized the first bicycle symposium in Cambridge Massachusetts in the 1970s and he spent his career doing waterfront redevelopment and restoration. He said he has never seen a town with more bikeway and pedestrian potential unrealized than Alameda. He felt the potential for the Alameda Point circumference trail is extraordinary and people will be coming across the island and around the state to go there. Lee Huo, Bay Trail Project Planner, said he supports completing the trail along Central Avenue. He explained that the idea of the trail is to get along the shoreline on a Class I separated trail as often as possible. He pointed out that you do see alignments such as Central Avenue where the project essentially completes the trail between Pacific Avenue and Crown Drive. He thanked City staff and the consultants who worked diligently with the concept. Furthermore, he said the trail is a regional recreation trail and significant commute alignment adopted in the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) regional bicycle plan and Alameda County Transportation Commission (ACTC) bicycle and pedestrian plan. John McKeenan stated that the Commission studiously paid attention to all the speakers and he does not see that often. He said Indianapolis, Indiana known for motor cars and racing has put together a tremendous complete street program in the last five years and has gone from completely no infrastructure to trend setting infrastructure. He cited cities such as Copenhagen in Denmark having 55 percent of its commuters bicycling and the rest commuting by public transit or private vehicles. He felt bicycling and public transit is the way the community can survive on this planet. He ultimately supported the project. Commissioner Miley stated that he would like staff to respond to a few statements made by the speakers. He explained that the last speaker hit the nail on the head about the fact that multimodal communities are the future. He said he heard the concerns about loading zones within the business district and the loss of travel lanes on Central Avenue. He understood that people may double park on Webster Street more often when loading, SO he asked staff to address and explain the plan moving forward. Staff Payne replied the area of concern is along Webster and Page Streets and the northwest corner, which was mentioned. She referred to page 4, cross-section I, which is right next to the Page 12 of 17 |