🚀 go-pugleaf

In 1991, my efforts  to make it easier and safer to travel on a bicycle 
between the east side of Santa Cruz and downtown were torpedoed by a political 
monster. At the time, I was collecting momentum for a simple ramp that would 
run from Frederick St Park to the upper small craft harbor below. This would 
make it easy for cyclists to then climb a small hill to 7th Ave where it 
intersects with the newly striped bike lanes of Brommer St.  

Instead, I was asked to forestall my charge by those bicycle activists who 
assured me there was money and political will for a grand bridge that would 
connect Broadway with Brommer at 7th Ave. 

In the interim, the agency of jurisdiction has been determined, funds have 
been appropriated and it has been scheduled to be built. There is, however, 
*still no connection*. All this at the expense of safe passage to and from mid 
county. Other important bike projects have suffered as well. 

The undertakings of which I speak, including the Frederick St Park ramp I 
favor, have had their monies rerouted to a project that is still years into 
the future. We still do not know what can be built to connect Broadway with 
Brommer because the feasibility studies and environmental reports that are 
necessary still have not taken place.

Why can't we, at least  in the interim, build a wheelchair accessible ramp, 
similar to the one near the Boardwalk train trestle, from Frederick St Park to 
the upper small craft harbor? A perfect and scenic feed to 7th ave and 
Brommer, this project could be created in a fraction of the time for a 
fraction of the cost.
  
I say it's time we ask our elected officials to reconsider what is needed here.
 
What follows is a letter that I sent to the Santa Cruz Traffic Commission:
  
November  29, 1991
Santa Cruz Traffic Commission
Bruce Gabriel, Chairman
809 Center St
Santa Cruz CA 95060
 
A 10/90 survey conducted by Louis Harris and Associates concluded that if 
bicycling routes are made available for people to use, 20% of America would 
abandon their cars in favor of them. And this poll was taken before the gulf 
war sharpened our understanding of what we, as individuals,  can do about our 
country's dependence on foreign oil. With that in mind, does it make sense to 
encourage more car travel on this tiny sliver of land which nature has 
reclaimed from the ocean?

One sure means of encouraging bicycle travel in our city, is by not only 
connecting the Boardwalk beach area with downtown but by connecting downtown 
with the upper small craft harbor by a usable bike path. By doing so, we will 
bring those cyclists and their families to our town who will spend money at 
our restaurants and shops without over-taxing our roads. 

We will also bring many of those from the mid county population who avoid 
downtown because it means a car trip. I understand why such people feel safer 
in an automobile, because, even as a veteran cyclist, for even me, the 
Murray/Eaton Bridge, with cars passing me at 40 mph is not a comforting place 
to be on a bike. The other route downtown for this population, is Soquel Ave. 
Bicycling on Soquel Ave. from Capitola Road to Morrisey is virtually 
impossible for anyone but a seasoned cyclist. And it is still dangerous!

By running a bike path from Frederick St. Park to the upper end of the harbor, 
we make it attractive for cyclists in the mid and southern parts of the county 
to come downtown. 

The upper harbor is virtually inaccessible for handicapped people coming from 
Frederik St Park. A ramped bike path similar to the one now in place at the 
Boardwalk, near the river mouth rail trestle, would make it possible for these 
people to also access this area.

Brommer St. is currently enjoying a high volume of bicycle traffic since the 
county has recently restriped it. We as a city government need to continue 
this good work and bring these people safely into downtown.
 
*********************** 
I am curious to hear what those on the Net could add to this conversation. 

Should I, for example, revisit this issue? Please help me understand as many 
sides of this political hot potato as possible.... 
 
THX
 
 :)   :)   :)
 
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                         Martin Krieg of CYCLE AMERICA 
                     9/77: Coma/Paralysis/Clinical Death 
          8/79: TransAm Vet Upright, 8/86 TransAm Vet Recumbent
        6/94: Author of book describing above: *Awake Again* (WRS)
           6/95: Next TransAm on Easy Racer Tandem RecumBent
          Founder: Nonprofit multi-use National Bicycle Greenway
  Available for speaking at your meeting, association or convention
 Voice: 408/426-8830 - Fax 408-426-8533 - email: cycleam@cruzio.com
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