Dear City Council,
Below is an email I sent to the town of Atherton as it is considering
traffic/bicycle/pedestrian safety. I am concerned about these issues around
M-A High School and Laurel Elementary School
Thanks,
Michael Harbour, MD, MPH
Atherton
__________________________________________________________
Dear Mr. Kohn,
I appreciated attending the Atherton traffic/bicycle/pedestrian
presentation in Atherton City Council chambers on Thursday November 20 led
by Robert Ovadia, Director of Public Works. Traffic safety around
the Menlo-Atherton High School and Laurel Elementary School were the only
items which were not adequately addressed in the plan at the meeting. Im
writing to express my concerns.
1. *M-A High School--this is the largest and most populous school in our
town and requires additional safety and traffic planning*
a. The intersection at Middlefield Rd and Oak Grove remains crowded with
bikers, pedestrians transiting to school and those being dropped off and/or
waiting for the bus after school. When the intersection is flooded after
rain, it makes it even harder for these students to navigate safely
b. Students casually wait in the intersection around Middlefield Rd and
Oak Grove and come very close to oncoming cars. There is insufficient
waiting area at the bus stop across the street on Middlefield Rd; I
suggest that the existing bike racks near the intersection be moved further
onto campus and provide students a designated and safe waiting area on the
school campus while waiting for the buses.
c. Many students and parents inappropriately park (some park all day) on
residential streets near the school (especially De Bell Dr) which worsens
traffic congestion and makes walking on DeBell Dr less safe as pedestrians
must walk in the middle of the road and be at risk of being hit by cut
through traffic--some of which travels very fast along this curvy,
residential street.
d. There is also a large amount of trash (glass, plastic, cans, papers,
wrappers, etc) along the streets near the school which can contribute to
accidents or flat bicycle tires, etc. Additional trash cans on campus and
better care is needed to keep the roadway clear of debris.
e. With the recent prohibition of e-bike in the MP school district, I
suspect that even more students will be using traditional bicycles to get
to school
2. *Laurel Elementary School*-* many parents and children walk or bike to
school daily, and it is dangerous for all involved. *
a. I personally know as I daily walk my children (in fear) to Laurel School
travelling along Oak Grove Rd and then on Edge Rd.
b. There is no designated sidewalk or bike lane on Oak Grove or Edge Road
which is extremely dangerous for children. Edge Road is very narrow, and
children and parents walk in the street and are nearly hit by oncoming
traffic daily. It is a daily game of chicken.
c. The vegetation on Oak Grove and Edge Rod is allowed to creep to the
edge of the road (and along with telephone poles, etc) make it necessary
(and nearly suicidal) to walk partly in the street against oncoming traffic
moving quickly
d. Many people speed down Oak Grove as a cut through from US 101 (while
talking or using the cell phone), and weve already had near misses. Its
extremely dangerous and nerve wracking for parents.
I appreciate all of you collectively addressing safety for students, bikes,
general pedestrians and cars in our town. I hope the new plans can help
mitigate the danger and bring safer solutions for all of us.
With gratitude,
Michael Harbour, MD, MPH
Atherton
