Issue date: February 24, 1999
EDITOR:
Do we reay want to build a $2 million bicycle tunnel under the train tracks to connect Willow Road to El Camino? The Menlo Park City Council authorized $40,000 to study this project back in November, so we can assume that they are serious.
By building such a tunnel, we are making a "footprint" for later expansion into a tunnel wide enough for automobiles. Taking this into account, shouldn't the City Council ask for input and approval from Samtrans and Caltrain? Conceivably, this is a regional issue and invites Smart Growth collaboration with our neighboring cities and counties.
There's also a matter of priorities. I haven't seen many bicycle traffic jams, have you? It would seem to me that first we need to attack the very serious auto traffic jams on El Camino Real and Sand Hill Road before spending $2 million just to benefit bike riders. Last year we spent $424,000 to add a pair of bike lanes on Middlefield Road to aid the bicyclists.
To put things in perspective, there are 13 times as many registered autos and trucks in Menlo Park as there are bicycles. So why do the bicycles seem to get all the grease?
Perhaps we need a motorists commission in addition to the present Bicycle Commission. No one seems to speak for the poor sap behind the wheel.
Reginald W. Rice
Tioga Drive, Menlo Park
Atherton roads are top priority
Given the state of Atherton's roads (flooded) and the possible consequences from that state (litigation) it seems to be a more sensible course of action to repair the roads rather than rebuild the governmental offices at this time.
In addition, it would be easier for the citizens of the town to met with elected officials of the town at a more convenient time than 7:30 in the evening.
I propose Sunday at 1 p.m. town meetings. Atherton is no longer the leisured class.
Mary Perkins
Karen Way, Atherton
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