Hello,
I was at the Tuesday info session about the bike lanes. I was unable to stay late for the comments section but was present for the clarification questions (which in several cases turned into long comments!). I am writing in support of the improvement of bike lanes and other traffic calming measures on Middle Ave.
It makes sense that there will be concern about any change to the status quo (parking) but I was happy to see in the online materials that surveys suggest that the majority are in favor of improving the bike lanes on Middle. Ultimately, the street is a public good to be shared by all who are living or visiting the community. The status quo does not need to be the only factor that determines the best and highest use of the land for the future.
I am a parent of young children and we use Middle to get from our house to Oak Knoll as well as to Nealon and Lyle parks. We bike to school nearly every school day. I have been a bike commuter using Middle for the last seven years or so as well. I expect that with the new Caltrain underpass, many students will use Middle to get to Hillview. The large influx of new students at the Stanford development will also need to go somewhere; they are currently zoned for Encinal but that may need to change. There are so many benefits to cycling, but I’m sure I’m not the first to mention them (independence and autonomy for children, frugality, improved air quality, fewer pedestrian strikes, lower carbon emissions, exercise, etc. etc.). Parents in particular need to feel that their children are safe to let them cycle but there is a very large community of committed cyclists in Menlo Park.
As a child psychiatrist with some knowledge about cognitive development, it seems to me unrealistic to expect drivers or children to be fully attentive at all times. Mistakes will be made. Therefore, given the mass differential between a car and a cyclist or pedestrian, the more separated the bike lanes can be from cars, the better. I believe you have heard from residents, including Matthew Rascoff, who have shared research that supports this idea that separating cycling and pedestrian routes from auto traffic is the best way to reduce collisions/injuries/fatalities.
Separately, I appreciate the efforts at traffic calming on Middle that are also part of the plan. The crosswalks at Nealon and Lyle parks and the intersection between Middle and University are dicey at times, whether with a stroller, walking, or with our bikes.
Thank you for all of your time and effort on behalf of us and for considering the current and future health and well-being of our community.
Sincerely,
John Leikauf
