HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-15-20 Public Comment-M. Egge-Salt Lake City to open up streets for pedestrians_cyclistsFrom:Chris Mehl
To:Agenda
Subject:FW: Salt Lake City to open up streets for pedestrians, cyclists
Date:Tuesday, April 14, 2020 7:50:07 PM
Chris Mehl
Mayor, City of Bozemancmehl@bozeman.net406.581.4992________________________________________From: Mark Egge [mark@eateggs.com]Sent: Tuesday, April 14, 2020 7:13 PMTo: Chris MehlSubject: Salt Lake City to open up streets for pedestrians, cyclists
Mayor Mehl,
I've been reading stories in the last few days of cities and towns opening streets for recreational use by pedestriansand cyclists, such as this initiative led by the mayor of Salt Lake City<https://www.ksl.com/article/46741178/salt-lake-city-creates-survey-to-decide-which-streets-to-open-up-for-pedestrians-cyclists>, or this social-distancing
shared-streets initiative in Burlington, VT<https://vtdigger.org/2020/04/10/burlington-expands-shared-streets-initiative-during-social-distancing/>.
I wanted to pass this on, with a suggestion that perhaps there would be merit in considering something similar forBozeman? Although we're blessed with abundant access to nearby outdoor recreation, many trailheads are alreadybusy, especially given that many regional trails are still inaccessible due to snow or mud.
If last week is anything to judge by, next week's forecasted 60°F weather is likely to draw lots of folks out-of-doors.Temporarily creating extra space within the city where parents can take their stir-crazy kids out for a bike ride couldhelp maintain appropriate social distancing while allowing folks to still scratch the itch for physical activity outsidein the springtime sun.
Our 2017 Transportation Master Plan recommends several "bicycle boulevards" (streets limited for cars to localaccess only, a la what's being done in Burlington and proposed for SLC), which seem like good candidate streets—Annie Street (from Gallatin High School to 19th Ave) and Black Avenue (from the Fairgrounds to the golf course)seem like particularly good candidates (limited local traffic, strong E/W and N/S connectivity through significantresidential areas, etc.).
Thank you for your consideration and for your and the city's leadership during this time of crisis and uncertainty.
Mark
--Mark Egge(406) 548-4488he / him / his