Hello TRCA neighbors,
Thank you for participating in our annual Fall Meeting on October 16th. As you know we touched on a number of subjects, one of which was the proposed bike lanes on King Street. Please find the letter below that TRCA sent on Oct 19th to Hillary Poole (who is spearheading the project for the city). The city will be holding another meeting on the bike lanes Wednesday, October 30th at 7pm at Maury Elementary. We encourage you to attend if you would like to further participate in this subject and voice your opinions on the proposal and its alternatives.
Hi Hillary,
Thank you for taking an interest in the opinions of those in Taylor Run as you make decisions and recommendations concerning the proposed bike lanes on King Street. As expected, our members had A LOT to say about this topic at our annual Fall Meeting, held this past Wednesday, October 16. While there was no consensus on a single path to take, there were a few ideas that received warmer reception than others. It should be noted that the meeting was attended by residents of King Street as well as bikers and surrounding neighbors. Here is a brief synopsis of the evening’s opinions:
1. Everyone agrees that there is already to much traffic on King Street and we all want the street to be safer. They are extremely grateful for the Flashing Beacon at Upland, the pedestrian safety measures being taken at Highland as well as the speed board that may be installed.
2. Most people want to support biking and attested to the benefits to the environment and traffic flow. However, not everyone thinks that King Street is the place to do it.
3. There are some people (a minority) who think there should not be ANY bike lanes on King street at all. Many of these people live right on King and would be directly affected.
4. There are some people (mostly the bikers) who think there should be full bike lanes on both sides of King Street at all times
5. MOST of the people in attendance were in favor of a compromise solution that provides: An alternating bike lane/parking lane on the North side (climbing side) of King.
* Some people wanted to allow for bike lanes during Rush Hour and parking during all other times
* Others thought it would be best to have a bike lane during the day and parking at night (when it is not safe for biking on the street anyway).
* There were many bikers that were in favor of this solution—understanding full-well that this scenario involves being caught in rush hour traffic heading East/down the hill in the evening. (Note: Many of the bikers feel like they can not support a compromise solution, as it waters down their demands and they may end up with even less than the supported compromise).
* While there was not unanimous support for this solution, this alternative garnered the most support.
* The proposal to have parking limited to the 2500 block was favored in lieu of “No Parking” on King Street, but the following objections were pointed out:
* Seems unsafe to have bikers merge back into traffic
* Bikers might not expect cars to be parked there and be caught by surprise
* Would this make the turn onto Janney’s safer or more dangerous?
* Sharrows were widely supported by everyone. Explained that having some markings would make things safer than what has existed (having bikes in the lanes with no explanation).
* There were many complaints about the recent decision to allow bikers of all ages on all sidewalks through the city.
* Many people wanted this law should be revisited to allow bikers 12 and under on the sidewalks only.
* Some stated that they did not want to give bikers the roads AND the sidewalks
* There were requests that the City “be more creative” and reconsider alternative bike routes that would connect the King Street Metro to the new bike lanes on Janney’s Lane — perhaps going through the neighborhood(s).
* A path along the Masonic Temple road/parking lot and then on Hilltop to Putnam Place and out onto Janney’s Lane
* Creating bike lanes up to Upland and then directing traffic (North) down Walnut Street to the bike lanes on Russell Road or (South) across King Street at the new Flashing Beacon Crosswalk—up Upland, over HillTop to Putnam Place and then out onto the new bike lanes on Janney’s Lane
* There was a deep concern about the already congested streets neighboring King Street due to parking by Metro commuters.
* Can not accommodate additional parkers
* Already can not see around corners because of parked cars in spaces that should not allow parking
* Discussion of “Resident Only” permit parking took place. Perhaps a larger conversation on this topic will occur in the future
* Concerns about pedestrian safety due to the lack of continuous sidewalks
* Now pedestrians have to go into the road and battle bikes, cars and over parked cars
* Need sidewalks, especially at roads leading to King Street
* Many, Many complaints about the new bike lanes on Janney’s Place and concern that some of the same traffic pattern problems could erupt on King, if bike lanes are installed
* Street is not wide enough for Emergency Vehicles (coming through with two lanes of traffic and bike lanes)
* Parking lanes are not wide enough for SUVs/larger vehicles
* Makes entering the street more dangerous
* Makes turning onto other streets difficult
* I think the city may want to address some of these/or at least be aware that this will probably come up at the October 30 King Bike lane meeting
* The issue of taking the parking spots brought up discussion of “eminent domain” (already a concern down on the waterfront)
* TRCA encouraged everyone to attend your meeting at Maury Elementary on October 30th to get official answers to their questions as well as to hear all possible alternatives. TRCA promised to hold an online survey following the Oct 30th meeting. We will let you know the results.
You do not have an easy job, and we appreciate your time and attention to this important decision that will affect so many.
Please call me if you have any questions or if you would like me to clarify any statements,
Thank you,
L____
703-___-____
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