Project Description
MP2035, which amends the Circulation Element of the General Plan, was presented as an “aspirational” plan to increase mobility and mobility options. It proposed many controversial changes such as removing traffic lanes used for cars, trucks and buses (road diets) and replacing traffic lanes with bike lanes on already congested streets.
MP2035 has had several iterations, with the first iteration rescinded by the council as the result of an FTC legal challenge.
FTC supports increasing mobility. We support encouraging alternatives to motor vehicles. We support improved air quality. We do not support a plan which has as its central theory that theory is that if traffic congestion becomes SO unbearable it will magically force people to take other forms of transit – whether they exist or not, are convenient or not or are economical or not.
Documents
Issues & Rationale
Key Issues
- A “considerable increase in the percentage of major streets that are highly congested during evening rush hour.”
- Admitted “unavoidable significant adverse impacts,” including additional noise, cut-through traffic and diminished access for emergency vehicles.
- Degradation of emergency response times due to diminished access, increased congestion.
- Spillover from thoroughfares placed on “road diets” into surrounding neighborhoods.
- Increasing air pollution by increasing congestion.
- Removal of parking in favor of bike lanes will harm local businesses and frustrate their customers.
- Failure to adhere to follow rules and laws regarding general plan amendments.
Rationale
- A plan that increases congestion is unacceptable and certainly isn’t “mobility.”
- Public safety is compromised by impacts on already inadequate first responder response times.
- Reduced air quality due to increased congestion will negatively impact all congested areas.
- Bike trips are a small fraction of total trips. Removing vehicle lanes will cause harm to the vast majority of city residents.
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