CC 08-18-2020 Item No. 09 Stevens Creek Blvd Bike Ln Improvements_Written CommunicationsCC 08-18-20
#9
Stevens Creek Blvd.
Bike Lane
Improvements
Written Comments
1
Cyrah Caburian
From:Jennifer Griffin <grenna5000@yahoo.com>
Sent:Tuesday, August 18, 2020 2:07 PM
To:City Council; City Clerk
Cc:grenna5000@yahoo.com
Subject:Item Nine on City Council Agenda - Bike Barriers on Stevens Creek Blvd.
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Dear City Council:
Please pull Item 9 on the City Council Agenda on Consent Calendar for Public
Comment during the Cupertino City Council Meeting tonight on August 18, 2020.
I am very concerned about this item and installing very high, very permanent
bike lane barriers on Stevens Creek Blvd. The barriers are so high that
they would cause severe damage to cars that needed to pull over for safety reasons
on Stevens Creek Blvd I don't understand why the bike bollards that are there
now cannot be used? Why does there have to be a barrier that is so high installed?
The lanes on Stevens Creek Blvd. are already narrow and putting in 18 inch high
concrete barriers will make it impossible for buses or cars to pull over if necessary.
In October, 2019, my engine failed on my Hyundai Sonata due to machining issues with
the engine manufacture. The car died on Highway 1 next to the Aptos exit in Rio Del Mar
and thank heavens I was able to get the vehicle to the side of the road or I would have been
hit by another car at highway speeds. I am very concerned that people driving down
Stevens Creek Blvd. could not get their cars to the side of the road safely if they
had to or had engine trouble or if they had been involved in an accident with another
vehicle such as a collision. The cars could not go to the side of the road and would
remain blocking one lane of traffic (engine failure or stall) or two lanes (if there was
a collision. This is a tremendous safety concern, especially if emergency vehicles were
trying to get in or around the vehicles stalled or stranded in the lanes of Stevens Creek
Blvd.
Why do the bike barriers have to be so high that they would cause car undercarriage damage if a passenger vehicle was
accidently driven over them?
I think a better solution is the bollard approach, which while not perfect, is a more
reasonable approach. Bikers can remain behind the bollards and the car drivers
can see where the bollards are and can see the bicyclists in the bike lane.
Also, won't dirt and leaves and debris and water back up into the bike portion of the
bike lane if there is a permanent barrier that is 18 inches high and then is up against
the sidewalk? How do you clean that area of the road?
I am also concerned about any changes to the traffic signals on Wolfe Road and those
nearby on Stevens Creek Blvd. That area is under high tension and volatility because
of a number of factors, including construction, demolition, potentially overbuilding of
property adjacent to the intersection, homeless encampments, build out or
remodelliing of adjacent properties, the attempts of building four plexes on
neighborhood lots which will increase traffic load in unanticipated volume, etc.
I do not think putting solid bike barriers on Stevens Creek Blvd. is a good plan.
and is very frightening for people who drive down Stevens Creek Blvd.
I am also concerned that buses will not be able to pull over safely and that the barriers
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present a tripping hazard for senior and also present a danger for people in wheel
chairs and walkers.
I am also concerned that someone will try to put bike barriers down Bollinger Road
which is not a good plan at all.
Please do not put these permanent barriers bike barriers on Stevens Creek Blvd.
They are a safety hazard for people needing to pull their car to the side of the road
in emergencies or accidents. The bike barriers are dangerous.
I am concerned the city power will go out because of the rolling black outs so I am
sending this email asking Item 9 be pulled for Public Discussion.
Thank you very much.
Sincerely,
Jennifer Griffin