HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-08-23 Public Comment - E. Mason - Re_ Kagy Blvd. ProjectFrom:Emily Mason
To:Agenda
Subject:Re: Kagy Blvd. Project
Date:Wednesday, March 8, 2023 10:16:05 AM
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Dear City Commissioners,
I forgot to include in my original email that I am also opposed to expanding Kagybeyond three lanes. Focus on public transportation and multiuse paths, not roadexpansion.
Dear City Commissioners,
I am writing this note to express my thoughts on the proposed expansion of Kagy Blvd.
First, the speed limit between South Church and 11th on Kagy should be slowed down to 25
mph. Slowing the speed down, while seemingly counterintuitive, will make this stretch ofroad safer for drivers and pedestrians, alike and will improve traffic flow.
Second, I do think traffic circles at Wilson, 7th and 11th would be fine (I take no issue with
this proposal).
Third, I have big concerns about pedestrian tunnels. While I understand why we need safepedestrian crossing that doesn't impede the flow of traffic, my concern is around safety for
children and women traveling through these tunnels alone with the inevitable transients whowill use the tunnels as places to sleep, defecate and urinate. Unfortunately, this has been a big
problem in Boulder, CO, where I moved from 10 years ago. Pedestrian bridges, on the otherhand, likely cost-prohibitive, but would provide more safety for children and women. I work
at MSU and walk and bike to work throughout the year. I cross at the 7th and Kagyintersection. My biggest concern is that pedestrians will not use the tunnels out of safety
concerns (dark, transients sleeping in them, risk of harm from someone with bad intentions).
Finally, please do NOT fall into the bike lane trap. As evidenced by the multiple cyclistfatalities Bozeman has experienced in the past couple of years, we desperately need separated
bike paths, not lanes! For goodness sakes, this is a real opportunity for Bozeman to design a21st century city. Bike lanes are NOT safe. Period. You need to focus on building separated
bike paths. The more paths you build, the more people will feel safe bike commuting and thefewer cars we will have on the road. No cyclist feels safe in a bike lane, especially with the
number of people who are on their phones and distracted while driving. I recommend you takea quick trip to Boulder (or just google the project) and look at the pedestrian/cyclist
improvements along Broadway, traversing the University of Colorado. The city focused it'smoney on building an excellent network of multiuse paths and many, many people take
advantage of them.
Thank you for your time,
Emily K. Mason
Emily K. Mason
On Wed, Mar 8, 2023 at 10:01 AM Emily Mason <emilykmason@gmail.com> wrote:
Dear City Commissioners,
I am writing this note to express my thoughts on the proposed expansion of Kagy Blvd.
First, the speed limit between South Church and 11th on Kagy should be slowed down to 25mph. Slowing the speed down, while seemingly counterintuitive, will make this stretch of
road safer for drivers and pedestrians, alike and will improve traffic flow.
Second, I do think traffic circles at Wilson, 7th and 11th would be fine (I take no issue withthis proposal).
Third, I have big concerns about pedestrian tunnels. While I understand why we need safe
pedestrian crossing that doesn't impede the flow of traffic, my concern is around safety forchildren and women traveling through these tunnels alone with the inevitable transients who
will use the tunnels as places to sleep, defecate and urinate. Unfortunately, this has been abig problem in Boulder, CO, where I moved from 10 years ago. Pedestrian bridges, on the
other hand, likely cost-prohibitive, but would provide more safety for children and women. Iwork at MSU and walk and bike to work throughout the year. I cross at the 7th and Kagy
intersection. My biggest concern is that pedestrians will not use the tunnels out of safetyconcerns (dark, transients sleeping in them, risk of harm from someone with bad
intentions).
Finally, please do NOT fall into the bike lane trap. As evidenced by the multiple cyclistfatalities Bozeman has experienced in the past couple of years, we desperately need
separated bike paths, not lanes! For goodness sakes, this is a real opportunity for Bozemanto design a 21st century city. Bike lanes are NOT safe. Period. You need to focus on
building separated bike paths. The more paths you build, the more people will feel safe bikecommuting and the fewer cars we will have on the road. No cyclist feels safe in a bike lane,
especially with the number of people who are on their phones and distracted while driving. Irecommend you take a quick trip to Boulder (or just google the project) and look at the
pedestrian/cyclist improvements along Broadway, traversing the University of Colorado.The city focused it's money on building an excellent network of multiuse paths and many,
many people take advantage of them.
Thank you for your time,
Emily K. Mason