The Alachua county commission met this am with a report on 16/23 updates. Thank you Steve for the warm welcome- good to see democracy in action. Rob, thanks for speaking up at the workshop at littlewood- I guess we didn't stand behind you enough, because the transportation folks in their presentation to the board made almost no mention of bikes, and was proposing dual 11 foot lanes, the same meridian, and a safety strip with white plastic bumps 2' from the curb to keep cars getting too close to pedestrians on the sidewalk- which had the option of being 7.5' or 10' and partially new or all new, depending on what we are willing to spend.  

 

Thank God for Commisioner Byerly, he pointed out that bikes had equal right to the road, that lane size would be looked into- including a 10' lane to enable at least a 3' on road bike lane. He preferred a white line without plastic dots. He also proposed covered bike parking at the proposed homeless shelter at main and 53rd Something the more fortuate would appreciate as well- and might advocate for. He also mentioned the importance that these plans were for the next 50 years.

 

In my presentation to the board, I mentioned being a member of GCC thanked them for considering bikes, and mentioned that increased bikes use would help decrease auto traffic and congestion and speed. That there were many nieghborhoods that could use bikes for shopping along the corridor, and that there are cyclists who ride in the street and sidewalk so  bike lanes are important. I also mentioned that in the future bikes will be a greater percentage of traffic, (Bike traffic is simply increased by greater convenience over cars- high gas prices make bike a lot more convenient) so we should prepare now.

 

Commisioner Delaney was also pretty supportive.

 

I think it would be a good idea to be write commisioner Byerly some support and encouragement- as well as other commisioners.

 

Thanks, Jim Funk- commuter group.