Thread by @WalkBikeBerk

Those claiming to want to “Save Hopkins” are actually trying to save parking on #Hopkins.

So, they are promoting the “Ada Bypass” as an alternative to protected bike lanes west of McGee.

But, it doesn’t work. Here’s why. 🧵

The Ada Bypass isn’t consistent with Berkeley’s bicycle plan goal to make bicycling a “safe, comfortable, and convenient form of transportation and recreation for people of all ages and abilities.”

1. It guts the low-stress network.

The Ada Bypass would leave a critical gap in the low-stress bikeway network, because it does not connect to Gilman St. or provide access to St. Mary’s College High School and Albina/Hopkins Ct.

The Ada Bypass

👎Sends people out of their way and away from their destination

👎Complicates the route for new riders and visitors

👎Requires climbing steeper hills than Hopkins.

2. It puts kids and many others at risk.

The Ada Bypass would leave people unprotected on the most dangerous stretch of Hopkins.

Many, incl children, will still bike along this stretch, since it takes them directly to destinations. This is predictable and normal human behavior.

Some people will keep biking on this dangerous, unprotected stretch of Hopkins, but when they start feeling uncomfortable they’ll move onto the sidewalk, endangering pedestrians, and inviting negative interactions with the police.
arrestedmobility.com/episode-2-side…

Leaving the most dangerous four-block section of Hopkins unprotected will lead to injuries and frustration for all road users.

It will be embarrassing for Berkeley.

3. It will drain City resources and delay safety.

Installing a signal or beacon at Sacramento & Ada would cost at least $500K plus more staff time and money to design and engineer, delaying implementation and putting people at risk for several more years.

Further, it would prevent staff and funding resources from being used on other much-needed Vision Zero safety projects elsewhere in the City, especially equity priority areas.

https://twitter.com/taplinterry/status/1578140886159851520

Also, the City doesn’t have extra capacity. Berkeley’s Transportation Division is experiencing a staffing crisis right now. [Partly because several have left citing feeling disrespected and unsupported as they implement Council policy!]

berkeleyca.gov/sites/default/…

4. It may not prevent parking removal.

The Ada Bypass may shift, rather than prevent, on-street parking removal.

Traffic from Ruth Acty drop off/pick up combined with traffic increases caused by a proposed new signal or beacon at Sacramento/Ada may necessitate protected bike lanes and parking removal on Ada to make the route low-stress!

5. It doesn’t extend west.

Ada is only parallel to Hopkins for four blocks, from McGee to Ordway. So, we’d still need protected bike lanes on Hopkins west of Ordway to connect West Berkeley to Hopkins destinations. This is an equity issue.

https://twitter.com/taplinterry/status/1618022244059590658

With the Ada Bypass, Berkeley could end up with two long stretches of protected bike lanes on Hopkins with a four-block gap along the most dangerous stretch. UGH!

City transportation staff considered Ada as an alternative to protected bike lanes on Hopkins early in the planning process.

The problems we highlight here are reasons they didn’t recommend it.

Instead, staff recommended, and Council approved (in an 8-1 vote), protected bike lanes from Sutter to Gilman in May 2022.

We support that decision!

https://twitter.com/berkeleyside/status/1524287902838001664

So, when Hopkins comes back to Council on April 18, help us push them to reaffirm that prior decision AND extend protected bike lanes to Kains!

Let’s prioritize safe, sustainable, equitable mobility — the Ada Bypass doesn’t do that.