HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-01-26 Public Comment - S. Evans - Tragedy Shouldn’t have to be the Impetus From: Sarah Evans
To: Bozeman Public Comment
Subject: [EXTERNAL]Tragedy Shouldn't have to be the Impetus
Date: Sunday, March 1,2026 11:34:11 PM
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Dear Commissioners,
I am a Bozeman resident and live on Hunters Way. I am saddened by the tragedy affecting our
community and Leslie's family.
I am writing to shed light on my experiences crossing Oak and to ask that real changes be
made to Oak and addition assessment be made to other cross walks and intersections.
I walk across Oak and Hunters Way everyday from my house to Gallatin Regional. Despite
recent additions of better signage and cross walks signaling, drivers continue to speed in both
directions. Easily going 10-15 mph over the speed limit. Many do not even stopping for
pedestrians crossing unless the flashing signal is deployed.
In instances when the signal flashes drivers are right up against the cross walk impatient to get
going again. In instances when I do not use signaling it may take more than 3 minutes to find a
window to cross. Drivers almost never stop for me when they see me on the side walk
attempting to cross.
On one occasion, I was crossing the street and the approaching car began to slow down to
allow me to cross. I entered the cross walk. It was then that an aggressive driver behind the
slowing car became annoyed that the car in front of them was stopping and veered into
adjacent lane, racing around the front car and almost hitting me. With my heart in my throat I
slammed to a stop, barely being missed as the driver hauled down the road. Completely
unphased at almost hitting me. I was still in the middle of Oak.
Another time, I was crossing the street and I started to cross with a car a good distance away
(between 27th and Buckrake) and the driver actually sped up, merging into lane closer to me -
making it seem like they were trying to hit me and started honking. Trying intimidate me from
crossing.
Was I scared? Yes. Was I mad? Yes. Did I flip him the bird? Also, yes!
These instances are of course scary and definitely could have turned out very differently if I
had not been extremely alert.
Is it road rage? I truly don't understand it. But I will say it makes me nervous to be a walker
and biker on these roads.
Oak is a four lane road and people drive it at exceptional speeds. I share these experiences to
shed light on the fact that cross walks,pedestrian signage and flashing signals on Oak do not
slow down drivers or ensure safety for pedestrians. Sadly, a reminder that is all too fresh.
Our community deserves effective safety measures for all of our roads and especially for roads
like Oak.
Even so, these incidents are not limited to Oak. I would encourage an assessment of the roads
going west of 19th- especially Oak, Durston, Babcock and Baxter. All of these have
insufficient safety measures and too many segments of road that create the perfect conditions
for excess speed. This should be a concern not only for walkers and runners, but also bikers.
Our community needs increased visibility and better development for alternative
transportation on our road ways. As Bozeman grows these essential safety measure cannot be
over looked. Crosswalk signs cannot be how we try to raise awareness and reduce speeds.
There must be more raised cross walks, flashing signals and many more stop signs and round
abouts added into our infrastructure, as well as better indications for bike lanes and bike road
safety measures.
I really hope that we can come together as a community to make these changes. I would be
happy to get involved in an effort like this as an avid walker and cyclist.
Thank you for hearing me out and for your work during this challenging time for the
community.
Warmly,
Sarah Evans