Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-01-25 Public Comment - N. Nakamura - Fowler Ave - considerations for proposed shared use pathsFrom:Natsuki Nakamura To:Bozeman Public Comment Subject:[EXTERNAL]Fowler Ave - considerations for proposed shared use paths Date:Thursday, July 31, 2025 4:12:56 PM Attachments:FAC 60 design.pdf shared-use lanes Fowler.pdf CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe. Hello,Please include my attached comments in the Fowler Ave Connection folder. My comments are in regards to the proposed shared-use path south of Durston after attending the recent 60%design walking tour and TAB discussion. I am also re-attaching my previous comment submitted on July 21 that has images that are referenced in my comments.Thank you, Natsuki 7/30/2025 Dear Commission: I am writing in support of the recommendations submitted by the Friends of Fowler. In particular, I would like to provide additional thoughts on this recommendation, after the discussion by the Transportation Advisory Board. The TAB felt strongly that it was important to have continuity on one or both sides. Moving the bike lane to an on-street path for this segment still provides continuity for most users: Continuous shared-use path for northbound and southbound pedestrians, bikers, and e-bikers on the west side of Fowler Continuous path (shared-use or sidewalk) for northbound and southbound pedestrians on the east side of Fowler Continuous bike path (shared-use or on-street) for northbound bikers and e-bikers on the east side of Fowler The only users losing continuity by moving the bike path to an on-street path for this short segment would be southbound bikers and e-bikers on the east side of Fowler needing to go through this segment, but there is still a continuous option for them on the west side of Fowler if needed. There are opportunities for a southbound biker to cross over to the west side of Fowler north of Durston if needed. Shared-use paths are typically on the backside of houses, outside of fences lines, or outside commercial areas or green spaces, not on the front side of houses. I submitted a previous public comment with some examples of other shared-use paths around town. The houses in this stretch south of Durston have fairly small backyards that face the alley, so it makes sense that residents utilize the space in front of their homes. Residents utilizing on-street parking would also potentially need to look out for oncoming bikes and e-bikes. Moving the bike lane to an on-street path for this segment allows the existing sidewalk and established boulevard trees to remain. While the City wants to try to save the boulevard trees that would need to be removed to create the wider shared-use path, I imagine some would not survive. Some of the established trees in the boulevard are quite small while others are decently sized. If it is absolutely non-negotiable to move the bike lane onto the street for this short segment, please consider adding signage to remind bikes and e-bikes that might utilize the shared-use path to look for and yield to pedestrians if needed. Possible ideas could include shared-use signage, paint on the path, or separating bikes and pedestrians so bikes remain cognizant of other users. Thank you for your consideration, Natsuki Nakamura I am writing in support of the thoughtful recommendations presented by the Friends of Fowler. In particular, I would like to provide additional thoughts on this recommendation: While I understand the importance of connectivity of pathways in order to encourage useability for bikes and pedestrians, I think the insistence on having a continuous 10-foot- wide shared-use path on both sides of Fowler is prioritizing commuters' access through the neighborhood over the safety and walkability for residents of the neighborhood. For this stretch just south of Durston, there are houses that are facing Fowler, and therefore they would need to cross this 10-foot pathway in order to reach their car parked on the street or if wanting to take advantage of the beautiful corridor along the ditch. As a casual road biker, I think shared-use paths are often a bit less comfortable for both pedestrians and bikers sharing the path, but they make sense in some areas that have heavy and/or fast car traƯic and it makes it safer to put more separation between the bikers and cars. The Fowler connector has been promised to not be this, with the proposed reduction in speed, narrower roads, and implementation of things that naturally slow down traƯic. Notably, there has been an increase of electric bikes recently, especially for commuters. The proposed shared-use path outside of these homes could potentially have e-bikes zipping by. While bikers are not allowed to be on sidewalks and the fastest/heaviest class of e-bikes are not allowed on shared-use paths, I have certainly seen both (including e- bikes on sidewalks). I’m guessing the City does not have the capacity to actually enforce these ordinances, so it is definitely possible that large e-bikes could be utilizing this proposed shared-use commuter route, which could endanger residents and pedestrians. I believe instead moving the bike lane to be an on-street bike lane and allowing the current sidewalk and boulevard to remain will be a significant benefit for residents and allow the existing trees to remain, with only a minimal inconvenience for northbound bikers. If there are southbound bikers on the east side of Fowler, I believe the eƯorts to make the roundabout at Durston and the intersection at Annie accessible to pedestrians will also be suƯicient to allow bikers to cross over if needed. And if Annie doesn’t punch through both sides, that intersection instead could just focus on safe crossing for pedestrians and bikers. I tried to look around town for other examples of shared-use paths, and have yet to find one that has 10-foot shared use path on the front side of houses. They typically instead are on the backside of houses, outside of fences lines, or outside commercial areas or green spaces. Some examples below. 1. N. Eldorado (local street) with a shared-use path on the park side (W) and a sidewalk only on the side in front of houses (E). 2. Ferguson Ave (collector), south of Oak, with a shared-use path on the backside of houses (W) and a sidewalk only on the side in front of houses (E). Designated on-street bike lanes (and parking) on both sides. 3. College St (minor arterial) between 11th and 19th, with a shared-use path on the university side (S) and small or no sidewalk on the residential side (N). Some space for on- street biking on the north side. 4. S 11th (collector), south of Graf, with a shared-use path on both sides, backside of houses (W) and the park (E). Designated on-street bike lanes (and parking) on both sides. Signage encourages bikers to use the on-street bike lanes, and the bikers I saw were following this. 5. The shared-use paths on both sides of Manley Rd (collector) seem designed more for 2- way traffic (painted lines) and for easier crossing between sides (well-marked crossing areas) than most of the other streets with shared-use paths. If this is the intention for the paths on either side of Fowler, perhaps some of this should be implemented as well. Thank you again for the improvements that were implemented into the 60% design and for your consideration of additional thoughts.