Dear City Counselors,

I am writing in firm support of improving bike infrastructure on Middle Avenue. I believe there is a way to find a solution that works to both provide parking for those who live or recreate on the street, and to protect the adult and children cyclists and pedestrians who use the road for recreation, to commute to work or school, and for errands.

As a Menlo Park resident who uses Middle Ave to commute to work every day. I see the need for improvements to the road both for those driving, those walking, and those cycling.

While, I appreciate the time that staff have put into researching viable bike infrastructure options, I strongly urge City Council to further assess implementing protected bike infrastructure, such as a cycletrack. Protected infrastructure has been proven to be the only way to get hesitant cyclists out on the road. Anything short of protected infrastructure is a stopgap solution, and does not make sense to pursue when a better, safer solution could be implemented now.

Thank you for looking into improving this thoroughfare, for the residents and those that use the street.

Thank you,
Natalie
--
Natalie Brady
she/her/hers
913-710-5306