HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-13-26z Public Comment - C. Ylinen - Bozeman street safetyFrom:Carl Ylinen
To:Bozeman Public Comment
Subject:[EXTERNAL]Bozeman street safety
Date:Monday, April 13, 2026 6:41:50 PM
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Hello City Commissioners, My name is Carl and I am a Bozeman Resident that lives within
the downtown area, main st to be specific. I read an article today from the Bozeman DailyChronicle about your Road Safety Work Session happening soon and I would like the
opportunity to share my thoughts with you.
I moved to Bozeman over 12 yrs ago from the Midwest where I was an avid cyclist, andoutdoor person. It was normal for me to log over 300 miles a week on my road bike, sharing
many different types of paths, roads, boulevards whatever you call it, with cars, trucks and allsorts of vehicles. Now, Ive been riding a bicycle for over 40 yrs and in that time, I've had a
few close calls. But since then, the number of times ive almost become a stain on the roadshere in Bozeman, is way more than Id like to think about.
So what causes this? Distracted drivers, unlawful drivers, riders using poor judgements and
bicycle etiquette, poorly marked paths or no signage? I would think all are contributingfactors.
Living on Main st however, I have seen a few things recently that seem to have gone
unnoticed. I would challenge any member of your commission to take a walk down mainstreet anytime between the hours of 5pm-9pm and observe what is going on between Rouse
and Grand ave.
Cars, trucks and motorcycles are actively committing road crimes, and sooner or later,someone is going to get killed just crossing the street.
While on nightly walks with my dog, I watch countless vehicles drag race eachother, weave in
and out of traffic recklessly, all within the stoplights every block. You can hear them comingfrom blocks away, it sounds like a racecourse. Big diesel trucks spewing black smoke, loud
tuner race cars and crotch-rocket motorcycles going back and forth, up and down, all nightreving engines so loud it rattles windows.
Not a single time in the last 3 yrs of living on main, have I seen any vehicle stopped by a
police officer for any of these offenses. Why? Where are the officers at night? Why arecurrent traffic laws not enforced?
I'm fairly certain the speed limit downtown is not 60mph, and yet watch any time through the
day and you will see this, or worse. What about a noise ordinance?
I understand the demographic that is to blame for much of this is the younger 20 some crowd. Maybe theyre bored, need a place to go, a car show or drag strip to safely show off their cars, I
get it. But my point is that crap doesn't belong downtown or within the city limits.
Enforce the current road laws.
Fight distracted driving.Get these kids to slow down.
Make the penalties steep, very steep so as to deter from doing again!
But lastly, I beg you. Please......please.....take a walk downtown on a Friday or Saturday nightand see for yourself and ask if you'd pedal a bicycle around town under those conditions.
Thank you for your time.
Carl Ylinen