HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-21-20 Public Comment - I. Killeen - RE_ Comment_ Budget for Bicycle InfrastructureFrom:Ita Killeen
To:Agenda
Subject:RE: Comment: Budget for Bicycle Infrastructure
Date:Monday, December 21, 2020 10:58:32 AM
Dear City Commissioners,
I write to support dramatic expansion of safe bike options in Bozeman.
As a 68 year old bike rider, I bike throughout the 4 seasons, using fat studded tires for winter riding. I
find that the relatively flat terrain of the valley makes it easy for me to conduct most of my errands
and business by bike. It keeps me fit and allows me to get outside on a daily basis. However, I don’t
always feel safe riding on the streets of Bozeman. In the winter the bike lanes are not useable and I
frequently make a choice to ride on the sidewalk, which is not ideal.
I want to encourage the city to make substantial investment in expanding bike lanes/bike paths that
are physically separated from car traffic. The wide path on College Ave between So 11th and Huffine
Lane is an excellent example! While I appreciate $500,000 budgeted for bicycle infrastructure in the
coming year, this pales when compared with the $16 million planned expenditure to widen Kagy. I
would like to know the estimated cost of a system of interconnected bike paths that are separated
from traffic, extending to many areas of the valley. I support expanded funding for a robust bicycle
commuter infrastructure with significant annual budgeting.
People love to bike and many more would do so with a serious bike valley-wide infrastructure. If this
were in place and the city developed incentives for the purchase of E-bikes and extended bikes that
carry modest cargo, I believe the number of people willing and able to ride bikes for commuting in
and around town would sky-rocket. This would improve health, quality of life, and mitigate traffic
congestion and exhaust.
Thank you for the work that each of you and our dedicated city staff does for Bozeman.
Respectfully,
Ita Killeen
(She/Her/Hers)