Matthew Wolpert

(Forwarded from a BTA email to the [shift] list)=20



Sigh,

If you send an email to ODOT, make sure it's polite, as it wasn't

ODOT's idea in the first place, they're just gathering input.

Reasonable cyclists are likely taken more seriously than ranting ones,

though it is certainly tempting to rant after reading what's below. I

plan on mailing a letter tonight, as those seem to be given more

weight than emails.



-Matthew

"



See the photo at www.patch.com/maywood_bike_path_spur.jpg



ODOT has received a request from the City of Maywood Park to close bike

path access from Prescott Street to the I-205 shared use path . The

City says there is too much crime in that area. They have requested

input from local bicyclists about how/if this would impact you.



The BTA is, obviously, opposing this: our view is that more access and

more cyclists and pedestrians makes cities safer for everyone, and that

a disconnected bikeway network simply does not work. However, our

message is stronger if individuals also weigh in.



If you bike this path and want access to stay open, could you let Basil

Christopher at ODOT know? He is the bike/ped coordinator in charge of

responding to Maywood Park's request. You can reach him at

Basil.R.CH-@odot.state.or.us.



Thanks,

Jessica



 

As part of reviewing this request, I would like to collect input from

the biking community on how a closure here might impact users? Would you=

,

 or an associate be able to provide me a response to this question (say by

next week)? Thanks for any help you can offer.



Please call if you have any questions.



Basil Christopher

Bicycle & Pedestrian Coordinator

ODOT Region 1

123 NW Flanders

Portland, OR 97209

Phone: 503-731-3261

---------------

Jessica Roberts

Membership Director & Metro-area Advocate

Bicycle Transportation Alliance

503-226-0676x11