Opposes W. Spain Street bike path

Editor: Last night there was a citizen’s advisory committee meeting about a planned bicycle path along West Spain Street. I found out at the last minute and attended. If it passes, all parking on the north side of West Spain Street would be eliminated. The committee is sending their recommendation to City Council where it will get final approval (or not).

Although I think safe bicycling paths are essential, I do not like this because:
Spain Street will lose almost half of its parking. Parking is often overburdened now, especially on heavy tourist days and special events at the park or the churches and schools.

There is an existing bicycle path running through the Field of Dreams and another is proposed for West Napa Street.

Fewer parking spaces result in heavier traffic as people look for a place to park.

We who live on the street would be forced to ask for the south side of our street to be reserved for residents only or we would never be able to park at or new our own houses. That would eliminate all parking to outsiders, which is not a good idea for businesses on the Plaza.

Additionally, many people, if not most, speed down West Spain Street. The speed limit is supposed to be 25 miles per hour because of school zones for the Adobe School and St. Francis. But, as there are no stop signs from Fifth Street West to the Plaza, it is virtually a speedway. If more were done to control speeding, it would be a safer street for bicycles and pedestrians and those of us who have difficulty just getting out of our driveways.

I do not yet know when the City Council will hear this issue but I urge you to attend if you feel the same as I do. Please contact me with your email address or phone number and I will give you the date if you want to attend.
The bicycle lobby in Sonoma has a lot of clout and they will get this if we do not object.

Pam Garant
Sonoma