Paul Trendler

Rather than partner-career shaming, let's keep in mind that creating protected bike paths are a major stepping stone to creating more livable cities, and while it may be all too easy to criticize our representative's motives and backgrounds, it's important to remember that initiative like this is why many people voted for both of them to serve our community.

I've bike commuted in this town for close to 20 years, and cross town cycling is in many places, unavoidably dangerous. Building a system of protected pathways will lower the barriers to entry for people to feel more comfortable moving around in our city without using their own vehicle.

Aside from the critique on the article itself, perhaps Jerryl would have more impact by submitting a proposal for a solution to improve transportation and human movement, rather than just bashing those working to present a clear next step towards improving our city? Strong Town's article about improving bike infrastructure might help both of your goals, ensuring our representatives indeed represent all of us (including us Eastsiders), and moving forward thoughtfully on important projects.

https://www.strongtowns.org/journal/2014/4…

While the revitalization of the BCD is exciting, and certainly needed in many ways (e.g.- central housing), the displacement of tenants, and rent hikes to remove tenants is on the rise. I spoke with a business this week that was forced to liquidate and move on from owning their own business at this time due to such short notice of eviction from their Maker's district landowners. Sure, let's assume there were other decisions weighing into shutting their business down, but I would reckon that ANY local business would be pushed to their limits if they only had 60 days to find a new commercial space in Bend that could suit their needs.

I have been biking to work along the Franklin/Riverside system of bike lanes, shared lanes, since it was redesigned. Before the improvements I would commute the narrows of Greenwood between Brooks and East Third st. While biking through the Franklin underpass this morning (going 25mph according to my bike computer), I felt the headlights of an incoming truck approach fast I thought I was going to be hit before the driver pulled into the oncoming lane to pass me in the center of the narrow underpass. The irony of his speeding really set in as the driver sat at the same red light with me moments afterward.

This street's redesign represents some very good work done by Commute Options and the City of Bend to increase the safety of biking in our city. It is unfortunate that some drivers are willing to pass over double lines at high speeds to make all that work seem in vain.