🚀 go-pugleaf

> Apply for street trees . . . [lists a number of fine reasons]
> . . . and to be used as traffic calming devices (in planters
> within the street, e.g. in the center of intersections, to
> create traffic circles).

=\= If this is done, I would strongly recommend that it be
done in a more permanent, integral way than we've seen lately.
There are places where this has been done right, such as in
the streets bound by Sacramento, San Pablo, Ashby, and Dwight.

=/= In many other parts of Berkeley there are potted trees
(or, quite frequently, treeless pots) that look not like part
of the road, but rather an obstruction in the middle of the
road.  A number of people regard these "obstructions" with
contempt, and some have even moved them off the road.

=\= The "Slow Street" section of Milvia also suffers from this
problem.  The temporary-looking planter islands do not suffice
as visual cues that this is a slow street with gentle curves;
many motorists rather seem to handle it as another straight
street with a bunch of obstructions to swerve around.

> Plan and build light rail lines within Berkeley as described
> in the Bay Link light rail plan for the Bay Bridge and the
> East Bay (along San Pablo, University, Shattuck, and Telegraph
> Avenues).

=/= Isn't San Pablo a state road?  Berkeley might have to get
the state to cooperate on this matter.

> Plan and build bicycle routes and facilities connecting the
> major travel destinations within the City, including all of
> the transit stations and hubs.

=\= Isn't there already a plan for this?  Berkeley has a bike
route system, according to a free map I got at the "Berkeley
Trip" (a transportation service organization).  This system
has fallen into disrepair, and in some parts the bike lanes
are but vestigal, but it does seem to go to most major travel
destinations and transit areas.  It even maps pretty well onto
Richard Register's proposed neighborhood centers.

=/= In addition to being poorly maintained, there are parts of
the extant bike route system that go through high-crime areas.
Safe alternatives are a must.
    <_Jym_>