Public Forum — Goleta City Council, September 3, 2024

From: Deane Plaister <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, September 2, 2024 4:17 PM
To: City Clerk Group
Subject: Bike lanes in Old Town on Hollister
Please read the following Public Comment into the record:

Dear City Council,
For over 20 years, I rode my bike from downtown Santa Barbara to the area of Hollister and Los Carneros several times a week, commuting to and from work. Passing through Old Town was always a test. For years, I shrank from the traffic flow, hugging the parked cars, terrified that I'd get "doored." At a certain point, I'd had enough of that stress and, learning that it was my legal right, I began to "take the lane" on Hollister at the point where the stripe separating bikes from cars ran out. (Those "sharrows" were a total joke, BTW) I am a moderately quick rider, so I wasn't holding up traffic at 8 mph, but I was sometimes passed by cars roaring around me, often not even bothering to fully switch to the other lane.

This was sometimes accompanied by unfriendly, shouted commentary. None of this was fun. Every pass through Old Town, whether at 6:45 AM or on my way home a little after 4:00, made me think, "Well, I survived that again."
My commute has fallen off in recent years, first due to COVID changes, and then retirement, but I happened to ride through Old Town last week, and was astounded at the new bike lanes. For once, I felt like I was entitled to some of the road. I had to keep an eye out for parked cars that might be heading out, but nobody was going to fling a door open and stop me cold. It was a delight.

I have heard that some are upset with the new traffic arrangement and wish to undo it. Though I have seen some bad traffic on Hollister lately, it seemed to be the result of the striping work when in progress, and the preliminary roundabout work. Traffic may be annoying for a while yet, but I don't believe it's due to the new bike lanes. When all the construction's done, things will be moving a lot better.

If we want more people cutting greenhouse gases by climbing onto a bike, we need to make streets safer.

Scary roads cause would-be riders to favor their cars. I'm a battle-hardened bike commuter and will claim my part of the road when necessary. But others are not prepared for that, nor should they have to be. Let's keep the new bike lanes and reevaluate (if need be) when all the construction is done.

Thanks for the better, safer Old Town Hollister,
Deane Plaister
30 W. Valerio St. #7
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
1 From: Linda Kitchen <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, September 2, 2024 5:01 PM
To: City Clerk Group
Subject: Bike lanes
Keep the new bike lanes. It’s so much safer to ride through Old Town. We should be able to share these few blocks with cars.

Linda Kitchen
From: Maryanne Mahn <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, September 2, 2024 5:03 PM
To: City Clerk Group
Subject: OLD TOWN BIKE LANE
Please keep the new bike lane on Hollister through Old Town and conƟnue progress on it.

This will improve safety for bicyclists and add to walk-in business for the merchants along the route. Be progressive.

This makes Old Town more of a ‘desƟnaƟon’. It has great potenƟal.

Thank you,
Maryanne Mahn
Sent from my iPhone
From: Daniela Soleri <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, September 2, 2024 5:03 PM
To: City Clerk Group
Subject: Keep Goleta bike lanes!!
Goleta City Council - keep the new Old Town bike lanes! We want a safe, enjoyable town, not one focused on cars and speeding through commercial and mixed use areas.

Recent traffic congestion in Old Town is a 'ripple effect' caused by construction from another nearby major road project, the timing of which coincides with the new striping completion. The backups would likely still occur even without the new striped traffic pattern. We can't sacrifice our commitment to safer streets just to make traffic go faster.

Please remember, Old Town's new road striping improves safety and access for all road users, with:
• New bike lanes (missing for decades) buffered from traffic • Now only two traffic lanes for pedestrians to cross instead of four • Calmer motor vehicle speeds
• A smoother repaved roadway with less traffic noise
• An enhanced sense of community
• Additional back-in angled parking
Keep this change for the better!
Thank you
--
Daniela Soleri, PhD
she | her | ella
Research Scientist
Geography Department
UC Santa Barbara
http://geog.ucsb.edu/~soleri/
From: Hillary <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, September 2, 2024 5:51 PM
To: City Clerk Group
Subject: More bike lanes please!
I understand the new bike lane striping in Old Town is at risk of being removed?? For such an amazing town that we call home (for the past 30 years), we are grossly behind in our bike safety. Please do whatever you can to protect and promote safer bike lanes in our community. Thanks for all you do! Hillary Conant
(805) 452-0881
From: Christiane Schlumberger <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, September 2, 2024 5:57 PM
To: City Clerk Group
Subject: Hollister bike lane
The secƟon of Hollister with the new bike lanes is a nightmare. It is unfortunate that the Ɵming of the new striping coincides with the San Jose Creek bridge replacement, which has only made the situaƟon worse. I understand that the intenƟon was to slow down traﬃc while providing a safe bike route and more parking, but to me the experiment is a colossal failure. I am now avoiding the area enƟrely.

Sincerely,
ChrisƟane Schlumberger
Santa Barbara
From: Jenn Knaus <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, September 2, 2024 6:09 PM
To: City Clerk Group
Subject: Please protect the new Hollister bike lanes
Please prioritize safe corridors for bikes and pedestrians along Hollister Avenue. This new infrastructure is a welcome addition that fosters community to Old Town Goleta.

Don’t sacrifice this benefit by bending to those who only speed through. ///
Jenn Knaus
mobile: 925-234-1586
From: Gmail <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, September 2, 2024 6:10 PM
To: City Clerk Group
Subject: Bike lanes in Downtown Goleta
Please consider keeping the new bike lanes in downtown Goleta they are necessary for those of us who bike there.

My wife and I bike there and the protecƟon they provide for cyclists is important to separate cyclists and vehicles from collisions. So please consider keeping them.

Thanks
Philip Clarke
From: Lisa Fritz <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, September 2, 2024 6:12 PM
To: City Clerk Group
Subject: Restripe old town
I am wriƟng to express my concern and disappointment with the new striping of downtown Goleta. This striping is absolutely the worst design for this corridor. I myself won’t go there now because it is so chaoƟc and causes unnecessary delays. The only beneﬁt for this striping is for bicyclists, who can detour around old town by using the bike path.

Vendors are losing business because people don’t want to go there now. Catering only to the needs of bicyclists is unfair and will cause untold damage to the surrounding community. M Please put this corridor back to the way it once was.

Sent from my iPhone
From: Douglas Jacobson <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, September 2, 2024 6:54 PM
To: City Clerk Group
Subject: The bike lanes must stay!!!
Keep Old Town Goleta safe for pedestrians and cyclists. It’s beƩer for businesses and the community.

Thank you,
Doug Jacobson
From: Michael O'Connell <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, September 2, 2024 7:26 PM
To: City Clerk Group
Subject: Bike lanes
Goleta City Council,
It would be a huge mistake to backtrack on safety and remove the bike lanes on Hollister. Please, please keep the lanes we now have and advance to dedicated bike lanes wherever possible.

Michael O'Connell
(a long time S.B. biker)
From: Mondo Requejo <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, September 2, 2024 7:32 PM
To: City Clerk Group
Subject: Goleta Old Town Bike Lanes
I wanted to express my appreciation for all the work and support the City of Goleta and the City Council members have done to develop a safer corridor for cyclists.

Years ago I attended a meeting at the goleta community center about the danger of riding a bike thru Old Town and that the route had California State attention as having the most bike accidents in such a small stretch of roadway, it ranked nationally.

I rode thru there on Sunday morning I felt much safer, more visible to moving traffic and noticed a greater accountability from vehicles because they recognized an actual legal lane with more space for cyclists.

I also commute thru Old Town to work and I've observed that cyclists are not being pinched between vehicles and parked cars as before, they have more safe space! Traffic is also moving slower, more attentive and not racing around as before with two lanes.

Job well done City od Goleta and our Leaders!!! ڒڑڐ
Thank you
Armando Requejo
Avid cyclist
From: Tracey Willfong-Singh <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, September 2, 2024 8:04 PM
To: City Clerk Group
Subject: Old town bike lanes
Dear Goleta. Council,
Please keep the new Old town Goleta bike lanes.

We need safe cycling lanes.

Don’t go backwards to unsafe roads
Thank you
Tracey Willfong
Cyclist Santa Barbara County
From: Ron Garber <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, September 2, 2024 8:16 PM
To: City Clerk Group
Subject: Bike lanes in downtown goleta
I live in Goleta and drive through downtown Goleta all the time. I ride my bicycle but not usually in Old Town because, up to now, it has been way too dangerous. The bicycle lanes are a big improvement and should be kept. They encourage people to get out of their cars for short trips around downtown, they make it much safer for bicyclers and especially for children.

Why anyone would consider changing this after just two months and at a time when road work near Kellogg St is dramatically backing up traffic through downtown is beyond logic. I find no substantial change in time to navigate the downtown area compared to before the project. The only people who are slowed down are those who are in a rush and are speeding in this highly used area. If there is any consideration of a change it should be postponed until several months after the construction is completed and the current situation is in place for at least a year to see how things settle out.

Thanks,
Ron Garber
160 N Fairview and 1411 Holiday Hill Road
Goleta CA 93117
805 451-2170 cell
[email protected] tie.

From: Chris Silverstein <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, September 2, 2024 8:18 PM
To: City Clerk Group
Subject: Supporting Old Town Striping
Dear City Council,
Change is hard but we need to give this a chance. Safety first! Thanks,
Chris Silverstein
From: Arnie Schildhaus <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, September 2, 2024 8:19 PM
To: City Clerk Group
Subject: Bike lanes in old town Goleta
I encourage the City Council to leave in place the recent upgrades and changes made to Hollister Avenue from the 217 underpass to Fairview Ave. I frequently commute thrrough this downtown corridor, and find that the new configuration is a great improvement overall, and a boon in safety and convenience for bicyclists. I would venture to guess that once the construction and upgrades are completed, and drivers and cyclists become accustomed to these changes, they will greatly appreciate them. Please give them some time to become accepted, rather than making hasty changes.

Thank you.

Arnie Schildhaus
From: Chris Sobell <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, September 2, 2024 8:21 PM
To: City Clerk Group
Subject: Striping Project
HI,
I have been so impressed with the new Striping Project allowing ALL citizens safer to walk, cycle, and/or drive in the Hollister downtown area. That was a very big change and it will take a while before people get used to it and begin to understand that it is important that all modes of transportation (walk, cycle, drive, public transportation) should be safe.

I live in Carpinteria and recently, in April 2024, a new traffic light was put on Carpinteria Ave. and Palm Street to increase safety for all modes of transportation. It was a very congested and dangerous intersection because the Carpinteria Middle School is on that corner and also because Palm Ave. is the only access to the Carpinteria State Park Campground which receives about 250,000 visitors each year. As a cyclist and pedestrian I can say that it was not an easy intersection for us to cross safely. When it first opened there were many complaints about having to stop and wait (gosh, for maybe 30 seconds!) for the green light. There were lots of letters to the editors of our town weekly paper (Coast View News) complaining about the new traffic light and also lots of complaints on social media. It took a while for the complaints to go away but I haven't heard any more complaints for many months.

Please, do not undo the new striping, remove the bike lanes and return the Old Town corridor back to its former, unsafe car-centric layout.

Thank you,
Chris Sobell
From: Kira Pusch <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, September 2, 2024 8:33 PM
To: City Clerk Group
Subject: Public Comment - Old Town Re-striping Project
Dear Goleta City Council,
I am a Goleta resident and am writing in to voice my strong support for the new road design in Old Town. I know it's a polarizing topic and that many drivers are upset that it takes an extra few minutes to make it through what is now a safer, more pedestrian and bike-friendly corridor, but please don't let their inability to see the bigger picture sway you into undoing the good that's been achieved by the Restriping Project.

I regularly bike the Hollister corridor on my way to work, often stopping at shops/restaurants in Old Town.

The experience is far more comfortable and enjoyable now compared to what it was before the restriping. I feel much safer, and the trip overall is not only less noisy, but also less stressful.

In response to the complaints I anticipate you're getting about traffic during rush hour, I'd like to point out that slowing the traffic to safer levels was the entire aim of the project - and it's clearly been a success.

It's unfortunate that the restriping has coincided with adjacent construction on the 101, and I do genuinely understand the frustration of drivers who feel they simply cannot win - there is definitely still significant room for improvement (e.g. we could get more frequent bus service, or, perhaps, a bus-only lane to make public transit a more realistic option for commuters), but to undo the restriping would be irrational. This transition to single-lane traffic patterns in Old Town was always going to meet resistance; I urge you to not let impatient drivers drag the rest of the community backwards.

I am so grateful to be living in Goleta at a time when you, the City Councilmembers, have committed to taking road safety for all users seriously. I recognize the effort [most of] you are putting into making the city safer and more welcoming (i.e. a destination instead of a throughway), and I thank you.

Cheers and all the best,
Kira Pusch
From: Art Ludwig-Oasis Design <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, September 2, 2024 9:02 PM
To: City Clerk Group
Subject: In favor of staying the course with bicycle/ pedestrian safety improvements in old town Dear Mayor, City Council:

It would be a big mistake to reverse course and undo the long-awaited improved safety we now have for bicyclists, pedestrians, and all road users in old town.

Car-centric design is yesterday’s unhealthy development pattern. The future is in healthy, active transportation with all its health, wealth, and climate benefits.

We need more health, wealth, and climate benefits, not less.

Thank you,
Art Ludwig
From: Lisa Walters <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, September 2, 2024 9:04 PM
To: City Clerk Group
Subject: Please keep the bike lanes!
I was thrilled when the new bike lanes were added to the roads in Old Town Goleta. I ride from my home in Santa Barbara to eat at the local restaurants. Please don’t remove the safe bike lanes. They are very important to keep us safer to get around Goleta.

Sincerely,
Lisa Walters
805-705-6368
Sent from my iPhone
From: Kim Stanley-Zimmerman <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, September 3, 2024 12:17 AM
To: City Clerk Group
Subject: Pedestrian and Bicycle Improvements in Downtown Goleta Dear Mayor Perotte and Council Members,
Thank you for installing the new pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure in Old Town Goleta! I used the corridor in my vehicle the other day and love the look of the project and the layout looks so clear...

Everyone knows where the drivers are, where the pedestrians are/could be and where the bicyclists are/could be. We can see each other! A huge improvement- congratulations and thanks! Kim Stanley-Zimmerman
Senior Program Manager
MOVE Santa Barbara County (Formerly SBBIKE+COAST)
P: 805.845.8955 x4
From: Lynn <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, September 3, 2024 6:32 AM
To: City Clerk Group
Subject: Please keep new bike lanes!
Hello,
I live near the Upper State neighborhood of Santa Barbara and ride my back through Goleta several times a week. Please keep the new bike lanes through Old Town! The traffic congestion from the construction at 217 and Hollister makes it impossible to know if the new striping pattern is successful. The backups would likely still occur even without the new striped traffic pattern. We can't sacrifice our commitment to safer streets just to make traffic go faster. Please give it a chance!
Thank you,
Lynn Barnett Seigerman
From: James Wagner <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, September 3, 2024 8:26 AM
To: City Clerk Group
Subject: Please keep the bicycle lane striping on Hollister between Fairview and the 217 Dear Goleta City Council Members,
Please keep the bicycle lane striping on Hollister between Fairview and the 217.

I bicycle and drive through the area and I ask that you fully support the maintenance of this long overdue bicycle safely improvement.

Thank you for your time and attention
James Wagner
Mobile 805-637-8744
From: davemont <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, September 2, 2024 7:52 PM
To: City Clerk Group
Subject: Please keep Goleta safe for pedestrians and cyclists Please keep the bike lanes in Old Town Goleta.

Thanks, Dave Montague, Santa Roque resident
From: Marin Sigurdson <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, September 3, 2024 8:52 AM
To: City Clerk Group
Subject: Keep old town bike lanes
I’m a cyclist and driver and Goleta resident. As a cyclist I love the new bike lanes; as a driver I hate the new gridlock! But let’s wait and evaluate aŌer the construcƟon is done, I bet the gridlock will improve. Also give people more chance to get used to the back in parking. Don’t take away the bike lanes yet.

Marin Sigurdson
El Encanto heights, Goleta
From: Don Lubach <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, September 3, 2024 8:56 AM
To: City Clerk Group
Subject: Tuesday meeting public comment
I am sorry that I am unable to attend tonight's council meeting. I would have liked to be there in support of the bike Lanes through old town Hollister.

Interestingly, I am presently in the Netherlands on a bicycling trip from City to City. The bicycle infrastructure here has its roots in 1970a activism.

I am 60 and I am seeing many cyclists who are older than I am.

In short, nearly everyone goes everywhere by bicycle. Project Connect, including the new lanes on Hollister, is a pedal stroke in the right direction.

Let's keep making Goleta better together.

Don Lubach
5082 Rhoads Ave, Goleta, CA 93111
From: Melissa Cunningham <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, September 3, 2024 9:06 AM
To: City Clerk Group
Subject: Keep the bike lanes and Interim striping PLEASE! Attachments: PastedGraphic-4.tiff
Dear Mayor Perotte and City Council Members,
I know you are hearing from a number of people complaints about the new bike lanes and parking configuration in Old Town. I apologize that the folks who are grateful for them are often quiet! Please give this at least 6 months as taking them away so quickly would not be "best practice” and would defeat the purpose. We asked for the bike lanes over a decade ago and are so thankful they finally went in. They need to be given more time. Unfortunately the timing was poor as the roundabout construction is causing most of the traffic problems yet the new striping in Old Town is being blamed.

It is much safer for all users especially bicyclists and pedestrians so I thank you and applaud you for supporting the new configuration. Please assure those complaining that they have to give it more time and realize the Project Connect construction is having a major influence on everything.

Thank you,
Melissa Cunningham
Melissa Cunningham
Manager of Cycling Without Age Santa Barbara
MOVE, Santa Barbara County (formerly SBBIKE+COAST)
work: 805.845.8955 x 3
mobile: 970.209.9560

www.MoveSBCounty.org
www.cwasb.org

From: David A. Cleveland <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, September 3, 2024 9:22 AM
To: City Clerk Group
Subject: Keep Goleta bike lanes!!
To: Goleta City Council
Please keep the new Old Town bike lanes! They help make Goleta a safe, enjoyable town, not one focused on cars and speeding through commercial and mixed use areas.

Obeying the priority of cars is not the future.

Thank you for your consideraƟon.

CoƩy Chubb
From: TheFx Person <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, September 3, 2024 9:56 AM
To: City Clerk Group
Subject: 09/03/2024 City Council Meeting Comments
Dear Mayor and Council Members,
I have two comments on tonight's agenda:

Old Town Goleta Restriping
I want to thank the city council for the restriping of Hollister through Old Town Goleta. Since living in Goleta, I have actively avoided travelling to Old Town by bicycle. Two lanes of traffic in each direction, narrow bike lanes, and views of side streets obstructed by parked cars made me fearful to bike through the corridor. Further, I did not drive to Old Town often either; driving through was stressful, and it was challenging to find parking to visit local businesses. Since the restriping, Old Town is much more pleasant for me to visit. I feel safer cycling on Hollister through Old Town. As a driver, it is less stressful to navigate because there are fewer lanes of traffic, and it is much easier for me to find parking. I am very pleased that Old Town Goleta is becoming a safer and more pleasant place to live and visit.

Lowering Speed Limits
I encourage the city council to adopt the ordinance lowering speed limits on critical corridors throughout Goleta. Lowering speed limits on roads with high volumes of bicycle and pedestrian traffic is critical to ensure the safety of all road users.

However, simply changing speed limit signs will not completely lower speeds without extensive and costly enforcement. Changing a sign does not change the design of the road, and Goleta's wide lanes and open roads, much like a freeway, visually tell a driver that it is safe to drive fast on these roads. When funding is available, I highly encourage that the city implements changes to make these roads feel slower to drivers in a way that matches the speed limit. For instance, narrowing driving lanes where appropriate, and reallocating the space to create a protected buffer for bike lanes. If a road is being completely reworked, right-size the road to eliminate additional pavement maintenance costs, or expand planted medians to make our town safer and more beautiful.

Thank you for your consideration,
Parker Carlson
From: Meg Miller <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, September 3, 2024 10:51 AM
To: City Clerk Group
Subject: Goleta bike safety!
Hello
I am wriƟng in favor of the Goleta bike lanes.

PLEASE support healthy living and safe cycling, and do NOT remove or diminish bike lanes! With thanks for your service and your Ɵme,
M. Miller
From: Tracy Collins
To: City Clerk Group
Subject: Don’t remove the bike lanes!
Date: Tuesday, September 3, 2024 12:18:43 PM
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.

We love the new bike lanes and parking in Old Town! It feels safer and slower and more bike friendly. I’m less scared to bike on that route now with the new striping. Please don’t remove it! Tracy Collins
Sent from my iPhone
From: Michael Beers
To: City Clerk Group
Subject: Please Stick with the "New" Old Town Goleta Striping Date: Tuesday, September 3, 2024 12:29:44 PM
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.

Dear City Officials,
Please do not reverse course on the recent restriping of Old Town. The new striping is a huge improvement for bicycle and pedestrian safety. I feel a LOT safer both cycling through that corridor, and crossing the street on foot. It's different, and it always takes a bit to adapt to that, but it's a big improvement. It does seem that auto traffic is slower recently, but as far as I can tell, that is driven by the construction on the east end of old town, not the striping changes. To scrap the progress that has been made would be a sad backstep, especially if it was brought about by other issues.

Thank you for your consideration, and for all of your efforts to improve Goleta.

Michael Beers
From: Joanna Kaufman
To: City Clerk Group
Subject: In Support of Old Town Restriping
Date: Tuesday, September 3, 2024 12:29:50 PM
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.

Hello,
A quick review of the city's Transportation Element makes it clear that the interim Old Town restriping is fully in accordance with the city's policy goals. Specifically see Transportation Element Plan Policies TE 5.3 & TE 5.4. The restriping is a good policy decision with some unfortunate timing. The goal is to reduce traffic congestion in Old Town and to redirect traffic.

The restriping is consistent with Vision Zero, bicycle & pedestrian master plan, and climate action plan objectives. Personally, I have been involved in this conversation for almost a decade and am aware many have pushed for changes well before that. This is not new news.

However, there is a need to inform the public of the policies, workshops, public comments, & planning that has lead us to the restriping.

I am sympathetic for those who live & work in Old Town that feel negatively impacted by these changes, but the issues are with using this area as a thoroughfare vs. a destination. The goal is to not have Hollister Ave. be a thoroughfare. It was never a secret. I am confident these changes will reduce the rate of traffic related injuries and deaths on this section of the road well used by pedestrians & cyclists. I urge council to follow the lead of the city's very own policies.

Best,
Joanna Kaufman
[email protected]
909-816-3406
From: Lily Heidger
To: City Clerk Group
Subject: Old Town Restriping
Date: Tuesday, September 3, 2024 12:54:20 PM
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.

Dear City Council Members,
I am writing in support of the new traffic configuration on Hollister in Old Town Goleta. The bike lanes and slower speeds have significantly improved safety for people like me who do not travel by car, and this project has moved us even closer to vision zero as a city. Before adding the bike lanes, bicyclists were forced to either take up an entire lane of traffic in order to avoid being doored, or risk being doored and have drivers dangerously go around them.

I know that the project is getting a lot of pushback right now, but I hope that you all will continue to stay strong in your commitment to Vision Zero. Unfortunately, the restriping came at an inopportune time with the other construction on Hollister and the 101 exacerbating traffic, but folks are keen to direct their anger towards the restriping. Please know that you are doing the right thing in supporting this project, and that tensions will lessen as construction finishes up. This project shows that the city values the lives of its most vulnerable road users over convenience of drivers, an enormous step towards equity and safer, healthier city for all.

Thank you again,
Lily Heidger
From: Thomas Matthias
To: City Clerk Group
Subject: Review Of Lane Changes In Old Town
Date: Tuesday, September 3, 2024 1:17:53 PM
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.

To The Mayor and City Council Members of Goleta,
The discussion at tonight's meeting is important for the town officials to get a sense of
how the lane changes to Hollister Avenue through Old Town have been received.

From my perspective the changes indicate an important commitment on the council's part to ensure public safety and keep Old Town a vital center. Also as bicycling is my primary means of transportation it invites myself and others back into a town that is proactive and progressive towards it's residents and visitors.

As far as considering changes keep in mind the statistical response curve for changes in transportation
infrastructure (a link containing this graph, at minute 14:42, and other information on this topic is included below).

The public response dips to a low point prior to and at the application of the changes, then
climbs dramatically as the benefits of the changes are directly experienced by the users.

I, a long time cyclist in the area, have not ridden through Old Town as of yet, but look forward to doing so, instead of using the routes that I've found to avoid the hazard that
was the previous lane configuration. In many years of living and riding in Santa Barbara
County, and as a trained and skilled bicycle rider, I previously only rode through Old Town on Hollister approximately five times because of the hazardous road conditions.

My gratitude and appreciation for your dedication to public service and for enacting changes that make Goleta more accessible and inviting, Thomas Matthias
Thomas Matthias
(970)769-9372
636 East Sola St.

Santa Barbara
League of American Bicyclists
Licensed Cycling Instructor #1650
Link for Response to Infrastructure Changes Info:
youtube.com/watch?v=-_4GZnGl55c
From: Eliza howard
To: City Clerk Group
Subject: Keeping bike lanes on Hollister
Date: Tuesday, September 3, 2024 3:16:18 PM
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.

Hello Goleta city council,
I want to thank you all for listening to the voices of our community members and realizing the urgent need for more equitable transport in Goleta. The re-striping on Hollister has been amazing for me, someone who commutes primarily by bike, as well as the rest of the community, especially those who do not have access to or choose to not commute by car.

I am writing in response to news I heard that there is a chance that the new infrastructure on Hollister Rd is already at risk of being removed.

I understand the frustrations around there being more traffic on Hollister and how this is difficult for people who primarily drive. However, they have the option to take US 101 or the 217 to reach their destinations instead of using Hollister Rd as a throughway. Hollister Rd is a huge commercial hub with restaurants, housing and schools adjacent to it. It should be built for people, not as a thoroughfare for cars. Keeping old town Hollister Rd as-is also supports Vision 0, which I know Goleta recently adopted.

There will always be those that oppose change, and sometimes it is hard to see the long-term good that projects like this can do as opposed to short term frustrations. The Old Town interim striping project makes Goleta safer for all modes of transit, encourages sustainable transport, and builds on South County’s existing network of safe bike infrastructure in an area that was severely lacking it before. I guarantee that the number of people who appreciate this project greatly outweighs the number of people who oppose it. I know many of the people in the neighborhoods surrounding old town are working class, these people do not have the time to write to or attend city council meetings, and they may not even know they are happening or that the old town striping is being contested. This project has been incredible for the safety and happiness of the Goleta community, please don’t let the outspoken minority change something that will in the long-run benefit us all so much.

Thank you and I hope you take my opinion into consideration.

Eliza
From: Dawn Mitcham
To: City Clerk Group
Subject: Keep the bike lanes
Date: Tuesday, September 3, 2024 5:02:33 PM
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To whom it may concern:

More time is needed with the bike lanes before an informed decision can be made on these lanes. Yes lots of people hate it because change is hard and people have not learned how to back into packing spots or want to get down Hollister faster but it was such a dangerous corridor for bicycles that it needed to change. Give the change more time so people can adapt and realize it is for the best for the safety of the kids and those that commute.

Dawn Mitcham, CPA
PO Box 90743
Santa Barbara, CA 93190
Cell: 805-452-1267
From: Harold Marcuse
To: City Clerk Group
Subject: Old Town Bike Paths: please keep!
Date: Wednesday, September 4, 2024 6:46:04 PM
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Dear Mayor Perotte and Goleta City Council,
As a long-term bike commuter through and around Old Town Goleta, I beg you to leave the bike path striping down Hollister intact AT LEAST until the 217 roundabout construction is complete. Of course you're going to get lots of complaints due to delays, but you can't tell whether those delays are due to the bike paths or the construction. In fact, having 2 lanes of traffic going in to the construction site isn't going to make matters better, obviously.

Please, please give us a chance. More lanes for more cars have never been the solution, see 101 and 405! Bikes are the future, please make space for them. Give folks time to get used to sharing public space with bicycles.

Thank you for considering!
Harold Marcuse
Goleta

8.5.570.3604
From: Cas
To: City Clerk Group
Subject: Old Town Goleta bike lanes
Date: Thursday, September 5, 2024 11:24:01 AM
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I want to share with you what a pleasure it’s been to drive along the Hollister corridor in Goleta between Fairview and the 217.

I recently went to The Habit with my family for lunch and we easily found parking and were able to safely get out of the car. The road feels so much smoother to drive on, and as an experience. What a relief to no longer play ‘frogger’ when driving in this area!!
I first ended up in the neighborhood by accident when 217 East was closed and I was rerouted through Fairview. It was previously an area I would avoid, and now I’m looking forward to exploring and coming more! --
Cassandra Ramhap
516-721-0032

From: Katie Arnold
To: City Clerk Group
Subject: Bike Lanes in Old Town
Date: Thursday, September 5, 2024 6:09:49 PM
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Dear council,
As a longtime Hollister commuter and frequent cyclist through the area, I would like my input to be considered as part of public comments on the striping and construction project.

I immediately found the striping to be an improvement in traffic behavior and pace through old town. The lanes are clearly marked and safe for bikes. Drivers know what to do and it is wonderful….. until you are east of Kinman, where the traffic circle construction begins. The timing of the projects coinciding with one another makes it difficult to appreciate the improvements, especially considering the poor lane marking and frequent changes to the construction end of the business district. Please consider that the construction has had a major impact on old town, not the re-striping effort.

Thank you,
Katie

Goleta City CouncilSeptember 3, 2024

Goleta City Council
September 3, 2024