Hey all,
Below is the e-mail that went out to Don Patterson of Santa Monica city. (The list below has since been tweaked.) Enjoy.
Dear Mr. Don Patterson,
Thank you for the opportunity to expand upon a previous submission for agenda item consideration.
Below is a list of requests from Santa Monica cyclists. These requests come from both individuals who cycle regularly, (so as to commute to work), and those who do so recreationally. Improving the current cycling infrastructure would create a more bike-able environment for both types of riders. This will function to not only satiate the current ‘hard-core’ cyclists, but more importantly, these measures will encourage the occasional cyclist to travel via bicycle more regularly.
Why is it critical so encourage bicycling within the city of Santa Monica? Consider the following:
o Cycling takes up less space than driving a car. This reduces traffic congestion and the scarcity of parking spaces.
o Cycling does not consume any of the products used when operating a motor vehicle. This equates to cleaner air, yet doubly functions to keep money within the community. The majority of the money a cyclist’s will spend on their transportation can go to paying for bicycle maintenance. The bicycle technician is part of the local economy. An automobile driver, however, spends a portion of their salary on petroleum. This money not only leaves the local economy but goes to outwardly hostile regimes (Venezuela, Iran, etc.)
Based on input from a variety of area cyclists, the following infrastructure amends would promote cycling in the city of Santa Monica:
Bicycle Lanes: General
1) Create bicycle lanes on higher traffic streets: those with stop lights and not stops signs.
2) Create more bike lanes and/or create dedicated bicycle-only boulevards: a well-marked street for cyclists. Pearl, Arizona and Broadway are good candidates for this.
3) Create distinct, well-noted walking paths for pedestrians. This will function to keep pedestrians off the bicycle path. (This may entail making the current pedestrian paths more walk-able.)
4) Re-Position bike lanes between the side walk and the lane for parked cars. This creates a buffer zone between automobile traffic and bicyclists. Please see attached photo for example.
Bicycle Lanes: Specific Routes
5) Have Broadway continue on, and connect to, the beach. Create signage noting "BIKES OK" on the Broadway bus lane.
6) Create bicycle lanes that connect the various satellite campuses to Santa Monica College.
7) Execute greater coordination of bike paths so as to connect Santa Monica with neighboring cities via bicycle path, including West Los Angeles, Culver City and Mar Vista.
a. Create a route on Ocean Park that hooks up to West Los Angeles. The current eastward lane abruptly ends at 28th.
b. Create continuation of bicycle paths south of Pico. The current bike path on 11th Street cuts off abruptly.
Fix potholes, most notably on the Broadway bike lane.
9) Repair the bike lanes near the pier and along Ocean.
10) Create a bike lane the whole length of either Pico Boulevard and/or Ocean Park for Santa Monica College students.
11) Create better signage and visibility on Broadway.
12) Connect the Broadway bike path to Bergamot Station.
13) Create a bike path on 4th Street.
14) Create a bike path running from the 3rd Street mall redevelopment to the Main Street area.
Traffic Signals
15) Tweak signal timing: Make for longer yellows. This particularly notable at Stewart and Olympic. Run longer green lights at night.
16) Install push buttons for cyclists to change signals. An activated button would make for a longer green light. Push buttons for cyclists would function to keep cyclists off the sidewalk.
Cycling with Regard to Road Users
17) Create more bike capacity on Mass Transit. Buses currently have only two bicycle racks. Bicyclists get barred from entering a bus that already has a full rack.
18) Make for greater driver and bus driver awareness. This could be implemented through driver education programs. Big Blue Bus drivers would be mandated to take this education.
Miscellaneous
19) Prevent double parking on Main Street. Double parking spills over into the bike lane.
20) Install more bike racks on Wilshire, Montana, and Main Street. Install bike racks at the DMV.
21) Get rid of curb excursions.
22) Create a supportive Police presence. This includes support for the monthly bike ride taking place in Santa Monica, known as Critical Mass.
23) Manifest more bike valets.
24) Install covered bike racks on 3rd Street or Main Street,
Thank you for your time and consideration. By working together, we can make the City of Santa Monica a greater place for all residents.
Peace,
Jon Luskin
Santa Monica resident.
