Next Monday, the City of Santa Cruz Transportation and Public Works Commission will be reviewing a plan to change Pacific Avenue traffic to one-way. Back in September, Bike Santa Cruz County asked City Council to consider adding a contra-flow bike lane to the plan to allow for two-way bike traffic on Pacific. A contra-flow lane allows bike traffic in the opposite direction of automobile traffic, while bikes riding with traffic share the vehicle lane (see the photo above for an example of this type of facility from Washington DC). The Transportation Commission will be weighing in on this idea on Monday, March 21.
Support the contra-flow lane on Pacific Ave. by attending the Transportation Commission meeting or sending a letter of support!
Transportation & Public Works Commission Meeting
Monday, March 21st at 7pm
Santa Cruz City Council Chambers
809 Center Street, Santa Cruz
Contact Amelia at director@bikesantacruzcounty.org for ideas for talking points.
OR send a letter of support to sruble@cityofsantacruz.com
Sample letter:
Dear Transportation and Public Works Commissioners,
Please support Item 3 on your 3/21 meeting agenda, the pilot project for 1-way traffic on Pacific Avenue, with the addition of a contra-flow lane for bikes. Allowing 2-way bike traffic on Pacific Avenue will encourage residents and visitors to travel by bike to downtown Santa Cruz and eliminate the safety issue caused by wrong-way riding.
This change is in line with our city's Climate Action Plan goals to double rates of cycling and reduce single-occupancy vehicle trips. Allowing 2-way bike traffic on Pacific would make our downtown safer and more accessible for people on bikes, and is an important step towards meeting those goals.
Sincerely,
You!
Support Two-Way Bike Traffic on Pacific Avenue