Ask Mayor Faulconer and Councilmember Gloria to Implement Pilot Protected Bike Lanes in Hillcrest

Survey showed that parking was not the primary culprit. via LGBT Weekly
Survey showed that parking was not the primary culprit. via LGBT Weekly

Fresh on the heels of defeating the Uptown Bike Corridor segment  on University Avenue, the Hillcrest Business Association (HBA) has plans tonight to retain the lobby group, California Strategies, again. This time to fight against the implementation of protected bike lanes on Fourth and Fifth Avenues in Hillcrest that encompass the Uptown Bike Corridor. Yes, after the SANDAG Board voted on the Uptown Bike Corridor and watered down the University Avenue segment of the project, HBA now wants to revisit that discussion and water down plans to build protected bike lanes on Fourth and Fifth Avenues. Rather than facing the reality that the Hillcrest Business District needs to address issues beyond vehicle parking (as highlighted by the LGBT Weekly survey), the HBA has decided that their own community’s need for safety is their number one enemy. As our board member Paul Jamason has discovered, if you have ever spent money at CityFest, the Hillcrest Pride Block Party, or other HBA-sponsored events, these are the funds the HBA is using to keep Uptown streets unsafe for everyone – whether they drive, ride a bicycle, or walk.

Rather than bang our heads into the wall and attempt to coax the unreasonable HBA to pay heed to data or facts or even their own community’s input, we are calling on Mayor Faulconer and Councilmember Todd Gloria to direct city staff to implement a pilot protected bike lane project on University Avenue and along Fourth and Fifth Avenues.

What is a pilot protected bike lane project?
A pilot protected bike lane project is temporary biking infrastructure and a popular and effective way to build support for permanent street changes. Pilot projects can last from a single day to several weeks. This aids in gathering feedback and data prior to permanent changes. Such temporary projects can change minds faster than any blueprint at a community meeting.

Please take two minutes to send an email to Mayor Kevin Faulconer and to Councilmember Todd Gloria to direct city staff to implement a pilot protected bike lane project along all of University Avenue and on Fourth and Fifth Avenues. Click here to send an email.

Update:

If the link above isn’t working, send an email to:
kevinfaulconer@sandiego.gov and toddgloria@sandiego.gov and copy talk@bikesd.org
Subject: Please implement a pilot protected bike lane on University Avenue and 5th Avenue
Body: Please implement a pilot protected lane project in Uptown on University Avenue (west of 5th Avenue) and on 5th Avenue (south of University Avenue). We understand that businesses are concerned that a safer bike ride may result in vehicle parking impact which may negatively affect their businesses. A pilot project is a great way to both collect data and address these concerns. Safer streets are good for everyone and the current state of Uptown is not sufficient to meet the community needs or state goals to reduce vehicle travel.