Item A: South Willamette Street Improvement Plan

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We really must have a discussion of what is going to happen between 18th - 24th because connections must be made. How or will 18th -24th be altered? Makes a big difference in future designs. I am very skeptical that the 3 lane options will have less capacity than existing conditions including the mess on Willamette between 24th and 18th. I would prefer any alternative with a center turn lane or similar (roundabout for example) to improve safety (for drivers, peds, bikes) and avoid the current "slalom" driving experience. The street is crying to be 3 lanes in my opinion. Options 1, 2, 5 do nothing to accommodate bicycle traffic on Willamette Street. The other options are better for all users. Too many driveways. Accessibility should also be considered -A turn lane provides greatly enhanced accessibility (don't just look at mobility). Restricting drive cuts and connecting businesses at rear could reduce vehicles on Willamette, Rear connectivity would be important. Intersection of 24th & Pearl/ Amazon is narrow for S.B cyclists "Detour" via Amazon Path adds more time and distance for cyclists. Plus no good access to west, i.e. S. Willamette. More safety and comfort for families with young kids to walk and bike. I ride an incumbent tricycle to many businesses along this segment of Willamette. I can usually get to anywhere I want to go, but bike parking is inadequate in all cases except Market of Choice and Capella. Bikes have to squeeze between cars and hop a sidewalk to get to bike racks. Parking is inherently the biggest deterent to cyclists use of Willamette Street. We should not consider any of these that don't include bike lanes. We should not consider any plans which don't ensure bike lanes. When you add bikes on the sidewalk or add a cycle track, 4 and 5 become almost the same. Bikes sharing sidewalks doesn't seem safe. Although improving parallel routes for through traffic is great, cyclists want to access the businesses on Willamette. It is important not to just consider "capacity of the road" being vehicles -what is the bicycle capacity? Bike lanes need signal change installed on street so bike can trip the signal to green. I disagree with the evaluation that all alternatives listed except for #4 are equal in social equity, because options 1 and 2 are unacceptable for cicyclists, offering no improvement whatsoever and maintaining current terrible conditions. I'm concerned that none of these options are sufficient for reticent cyclists to feel safe. Say, for parents with young kids to abandon their cars and bike with kids instead. Research shows they need to feel more protected to move forward in taking that step. And we want their activity, business, and inclusion on Willamette Street. We live near Amazon Community garden. We walk and ride bikes in this area for errands, etc.... We mostly use the side streets because of Willamette's condition.