Do you think there are any areas / concepts above that we need to explore further? Please explain.
Yes! The proposed Central bike path extension. As an avid bicyclist I do appreciate a dedicated bike lane. However, adding a bike lane and eliminating a traffic lane to the final leg of Central is a very bad idea. Considering the current traffic patterns and overall demographics on Central, west of Webster can be a minefield for drivers, bicyclists, and most importantly pedestrians equally and alike. As I understand from the neighborhood meetings, with the development of the Point, traffic on Central will increase by 20% in the next few years. Why then would the City of Alameda consider a redesign with 1 or 2 fewer lanes? When I asked the question the answer posed to me was "the City wants the bicyclists to experience and enjoy the trees along the Central corridor". Fewer lanes, congestion, delays due to trash pick-up, deliveries, emergency vehicles, lack of consistent safe and dedicated cross walks. This is doesn't seem to be healthy or smart for residents, bicyclists, or the trees. My next question would then be...have we learned nothing from the very poorly conceived and designed Shoreline bike path? Again, to reiterate, I appreciate a dedicated bike path and have been all over the world on my bike. The Shoreline bike path is confusing, badly designed, woefully ugly and really brings little value added to the community based upon the critical design flaws. Shoreline used to be the corridor of choice once because of the view. I now avoid Shoreline altogether because it is so congested and bicyclists & drivers are constantly dodging pedestrians in the street, car doors, emergency vehicles, people parallel parking, etc. In my opinion, Central is not the corridor to repeat this same mistake. Maybe consider Lincoln. Lincoln is much wider and capable of increased automobile and bicycle traffic. If the tree experience is of paramount importance...consider planting trees in the median and along the sidewalks on Lincoln. Go with a Green solution.
Are there any existing transportation conditions / concepts that we missed? If so, please elaborate.
The City of Alameda really needs to consider making public transportation from the Main Street Ferry Building more consistent, convenient and comprehensive than it is today. I recently had to take the Ferry from SF to Alameda Main Street. When I arrived there was no public transportation to be found. Some ferry riders knew of a bus stop located somewhere on the Point but there were no instructions or directions posted. This is nonsensical to me and should be to the City of Alameda too. On a final note...parking at the Main Street Ferry building is, again, nonsensical. Has the City considered a parking ramp? With the residential development of the Point it would seem to be only inevitable. Why not try to stay ahead of the curve and be proactive rather than reactive?
Please share what you think about this “island crossing” goal and the related objectives.
No response.
Please share what you think about this “within Alameda” goal and the related objectives.
No response.
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Do you think there are any areas / concepts above that we need to explore further? Please explain.
Yes! The proposed Central bike path extension. As an avid bicyclist I do appreciate a dedicated bike lane. However, adding a bike lane and eliminating a traffic lane to the final leg of Central is a very bad idea. Considering the current traffic patterns and overall demographics on Central, west of Webster can be a minefield for drivers, bicyclists, and most importantly pedestrians equally and alike. As I understand from the neighborhood meetings, with the development of the Point, traffic on Central will increase by 20% in the next few years. Why then would the City of Alameda consider a redesign with 1 or 2 fewer lanes? When I asked the question the answer posed to me was "the City wants the bicyclists to experience and enjoy the trees along the Central corridor". Fewer lanes, congestion, delays due to trash pick-up, deliveries, emergency vehicles, lack of consistent safe and dedicated cross walks. This is doesn't seem to be healthy or smart for residents, bicyclists, or the trees. My next question would then be...have we learned nothing from the very poorly conceived and designed Shoreline bike path? Again, to reiterate, I appreciate a dedicated bike path and have been all over the world on my bike. The Shoreline bike path is confusing, badly designed, woefully ugly and really brings little value added to the community based upon the critical design flaws. Shoreline used to be the corridor of choice once because of the view. I now avoid Shoreline altogether because it is so congested and bicyclists & drivers are constantly dodging pedestrians in the street, car doors, emergency vehicles, people parallel parking, etc. In my opinion, Central is not the corridor to repeat this same mistake. Maybe consider Lincoln. Lincoln is much wider and capable of increased automobile and bicycle traffic. If the tree experience is of paramount importance...consider planting trees in the median and along the sidewalks on Lincoln. Go with a Green solution.
Are there any existing transportation conditions / concepts that we missed? If so, please elaborate.
The City of Alameda really needs to consider making public transportation from the Main Street Ferry Building more consistent, convenient and comprehensive than it is today. I recently had to take the Ferry from SF to Alameda Main Street. When I arrived there was no public transportation to be found. Some ferry riders knew of a bus stop located somewhere on the Point but there were no instructions or directions posted. This is nonsensical to me and should be to the City of Alameda too. On a final note...parking at the Main Street Ferry building is, again, nonsensical. Has the City considered a parking ramp? With the residential development of the Point it would seem to be only inevitable. Why not try to stay ahead of the curve and be proactive rather than reactive?
Please share what you think about this “island crossing” goal and the related objectives.
No response.Please share what you think about this “within Alameda” goal and the related objectives.
No response.