The Hilltop is ‘not in my district’. I think if this is to get done, it is important to ‘get out the vote’ by getting the area residents who said on paper that they want this to actually show up in person at the meeting.

Parking. I’ve seen folks here say that there is plenty of off street parking. Has anyone gone around and actually seen who owns these lots or spoken with the owners of the lots to see if they’d be open to allowing their parking to be “open” to others? (with or without the insurance, which many may not be able to afford right now) My mom took the map, numbered ALL the parking spots, looked up the owners on the internet, and that, I believe, all are privately owned, for either businesses that are there now, or for residents who live above businesses or in apartments behind. There is even a couple of “parking lots” on this map that are not actual lots. One is a burnt out building and I forget the other. My mom has spoken to several owners and know that they would not or could not allow open parking.

Safety. I grew up in this neighborhood. I’ve walked these streets. I also just moved from Olde Towne East, and not the good part. I ride my bike at night. I use to ride through the Weinland Park area on my 17 miles journey to work. I rode everywhere on the near east side, being respectful of the gang boundaries. (I know, I’m the whitest person ever, but it is true). I would walk my dog at night in my pj’s speaking to the gangbangers and the ladies. I knew them on the westside as well growing up.

I’m not trying to make myself seem tougher than life, or whatever. I am the biggest geek here. But, I’m just trying to give you a back ground piece to hopefully not come off as a chicken whitey when I say, I would not ride my bike on some of those streets after dark. I would not feel safe, in the daytime, walking even a block to some of those “parking lots” to get my bike or car.

The Westside is a neglected part of town. The folks that got shoved out of Franklinton made their way here. By thinking you can fix all this with a bike lane is riduculous and dangerous as well. To just shove this on the neighborhood is not right. I’ve seen the supposed “studies” where they went from talking to 700 people to now the numbers are, what, 200? This is an area with 70,000 people.

Nevermind the dangers of the freeway mess at the bottom of the hill. Sure, throw a bike lane into that mess. Fix it right up.

The proposed middle turn lane for intersections. Has anyone looked at how the intersections are designed on the hilltop?!? None of the side roads, save a couple, actually meet at Broad. You are going to have people playing chicken in these lanes to make turns. And, all but a couple of the streets, are one way.

My mom is part of the Highland West group. She is the creator of her area’s block watch. My mom is active. On their website is the coolest over lay of the last study the city did of how to actually improve Broad Street. To actually fix some of the problems. The overly is awesome! Why is this being totally ignored now? This would combine both sides of the issue. At least to my untrained eyes. No, it is not perfect, but it is a good step.

My mom says she has tried to talk to people to get an open dialog only to be met with complete resistance. She’s offered alternatives. She admits that not all the alternatives are great, but they were offered to try and work together. What hard core bike laners need to realize is that the folks who oppose this bike lane, are not bike haters. My mom rides. My brother use to ride his bike to his job. They have been very supportive of me. They want to see changes done to Broad Street. My mom has talked with several people who are wiling to start businesses on Broad, if the city would agree to an area revitalization program that includes actual ideas from those in the neighborhood, that see the true need of the area.

Both sides need to listen to each other. Playing bully and trying to shut the community out of the meetings, is dumb. You are not helping to educate anyone or to build bridges in the community. You give our biking community the tags of bullies and ignorance. I’ve spoke to several people now, who do not look upon Consider Biking with anything but contempt. I am involved in both sides. This is not, tho, how I believe the group should be seen. Where is all this talk of education, of working with the neighborhoods? Meeting people open and honestly.

Please, if you do go to the meeting this next month, be willing to go with an open mind. These folks believe in rebuilding their neighborhood. They are very interesting in making it safe for everyone, bikers included. I don’t believe a bike lane will solve anything. Who feels safer on Morse, just cause there is some paint on the road? Many do not like the lane on Schrock. I actually like this one, but the street structures are completely different. And, not cause I think the paint is somehow going to save me.

The Hilltop, Highland West area is a unique part of the city. The people are unique. (and yet the same as all of us, of course.) This area and the plans need to be treated as unique.

Thanks for listening.
Jazz