Esther,
I was happy to have the chance to discuss Middle Ave with the three Council members attending last night's meeting. I'm also glad I had the chance to meet you face to face.
I did not fill out the questionnaire then, so permit us to put our comments in writing now.
First, this is our only chance this century to solve a problem that probably started when Camp Fremont was here. So we have to find a long-term solution.
The most difficult section for new bike lanes is University to the Railroad underpass, which means solving El Camino Real too.
We are in favor of using the City's full 65 foot right of way. We understand this will impact a few residential single-family home landscaping/fencing, but there is a 'greater good" factor here. Perhaps the City can pay the cost of re-landscaping for the 6 homes on the north side of Middle.
The crossing at El Camino Real needs to focus on the biking school kids who are far below driving age and therefore not aware of all the safety issues when mixing with heavy traffic in that last block. Just witness the number who bike to school through downtown Santa Cruz Avenue holding their helmets, using the sidewalks, etc. (no matter how many times their parents tell them otherwise). We favor a second pedestrian/bike crossing on ECR. We also suggest a physical barrier near the intersection, such as vertical posts, to separate a bike lane from the vehicles on Middle where traffic is very dense from the Safeway exit to ECR.
The parking at Nealon Park has been very dangerous for the 40+ years we have biked and driven on Middle from our home on Arbor Road. At the meeting last night there was a proposal to push all that parking into the existing parking on the driveway to Little House. We favor that.
The rest of Middle Avenue (University to Olive) is relatively easy. The 2019 study of Middle showed a couple intersections that needed attention, but those can be solved with a user activated flashing beacon. We know the fire department really does not like raised crossings and speed humps on main roads because it slows their response time.
Finally, please do not wait for the RR underpass to be completed. Please put this often-delayed project on a tight schedule. Once the kids cross ECR they can use existing empty sidewalks and parking lots to get over to Ravenswood until the underpass is finished.
Mr. & Mrs. Dan Hilberman
631 Arbor Rd, MP
