Lee, I don't even know where to begin. First of all, it is simply laughable to suggest that in 80+ years of auto-oriented development here in Menlo Park, we're somehow not sufficiently supporting the use of cars. Second, many studies have shown that the addition of bike lanes to a street, especially if combined with other traffic-calming features, not only improves safety for bicyclists but also increases vibrancy and prosperity of local businesses. (See this link for examples: https://www.strongtowns.org/journal/2018/5/31/how-bike-lanes-benefit-busines ses.) Finally, even if we got rid of ALL on-street parking in Menlo Park, we still have far more space committed to off-street parking in our downtown than we need 95% of the time. Here is a link to a photo showing all of our off-street parking colored in blue: https://1drv.ms/u/s!Ag3cIQmBpZZohcAH2nG4dt-SwAV9iA . Does that picture in any way indicate that we're not setting aside enough space for cars??? Just imagine if we could convert all that space to a more productive use. If you really want to be fair about how local resources are distributed, let's start charging for parking in downtown Menlo Park. From basic principles of economics, it makes no sense to give away a valuable commodity for free. Parking meters can now be programmed to adjust prices according to demand (see description of successful programs in DC: https://ddot.dc.gov/page/multimodal-value-pricing-pilot-metered-curbside-par king-penn-quarterchinatown and in SF: https://www.smartcitiesdive.com/news/san-francisco-rolls-out-citywide-demand -based-parking-prices/512731/) I may be pro-bike, but I'm also pro-market, and charging folks an appropriate price for the things they use is certainly the best way to sort out imbalances in supply and demand, no? Rather than complaining about the evil "biking lobby", why don't you get yourself an electric bike and start riding it around town. You might realize that it's a lot easier and more pleasant to ride a bike than you think. Best regards, Dave Roise From: Menlo Park's Future Sent: Wednesday, May 1, 2019 3:58 PM To: Menlo Park's Future Subject: Biking Menlo Park Biking Menlo Park Fellow Residents, "Members of Menlo Park's Complete Streets Commission voted 6-0 on April 10 to recommend that the City Council permit the removal of more than 100 street parking spaces on both sides of Middle Avenue, between Olive Street and San Mateo Drive." Almanac April 15 https://www.almanacnews.com/square/2019/04/15/street-parking-could-be-remov ed-on-stretch-of-middle-avenue> That story inspired this email on biking in Menlo Park. I believe that a biking alternative is important for adults who cannot afford a car, for children and teens going to and from school and for adults who go to Stanford. We have already removed hundreds of parking spaces in the City to accomplish this goal. I also believe that safe routes for these bikers now exist, even if some bikers may have to go a block or two out of the way to safely access them. Remember. Non-recreational bikers comprise a miniscule part of our population and are overwhelmingly male. Have the number of adults biking to work increased, even with the increased population? I haven't seen that. As an indicator of bike demand, the bike-share program in Palo Alto failed (again). The company supplying the bikes there pulled out and are offering scooters instead. The biking lobby is strong-propelled in part by ideology. Its opponents are quiet-inhibited, perhaps, by political correctness. Our Complete Streets Commission is bicycle oriented as the 6-0 vote suggests. Do we need an automobile commission to advocate for drivers and for residents who don't want more parking spaces removed? Do we need to have a broader conversation? I would love to hear your thoughts on these questions. Thanks for sharing. Sincerely, Lee Duboc (menlofuture_at_(domainremoved) --- You are currently subscribed to menlofuture as: david_at_(domainremoved)
