[ETC-Discussion] 164th AVE in bellevue getting SPEEDHUMPS???

[Randall & Barb]

I received this email from Libby Landry - email address:  camelland at msn.com and am forwarding to this list.  While Libby plans to join ETC soon, I am grateful that she is being outspoken about this speedhump plan in Bellevue.....Randall

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the city of Bellevue wants to install speedhumps across 164th AVE SE. here's what's happening:

concern about on-street parking traffic safety and vehicle speeds has been expressed by some residents

several types of traffic calming measures feasible for 164th AVE SE. 

these include curb extensions which narrow the roadway and provide parking bays and the use of modified speedhumps. these speed humps
would be split to allow emergency response vehicles to drive around them.

bellevue has placed these 'split humps' in several locations - all followed up with a station-type thing in the middle so cars and emergency response vehicles are unable to pass through them forcing everyone to go over the humps.

if the speed humps are split between the lanes - meaning northbound it's at 1 point only (no hump southbound) and then 50ft further on the southbound side there's a hump but not on the north side it will encourage more reckless driving not less as people will still try to go around them.

they included a wee bit of data:
164th @ SE2nd - on jan 25 2009
northbound: 1960 cars average speed 31mph
southbound: 2137 cars average speed 31mph

164th @ lake hills - on sept 9 2002
northbound: 1402 cars average speed 31mph
southbound: 1696 cars average speed 30mph

164th @ SE12th - on sept 9 2002
northbound: 1169 cars average speed 32mph
southbound: 727 cars average speed 32mph

85% of drivers go at or below the posted speed limit of 25mph

164th accident history:
average of 4 accidents per year half of which involved parked vehicles or fixed objects (mailbox tree etc)
there is nothing mentioned about how many of these 4/year involved speeding drivers.

i ride tandem with my partner and we are considering joining this 'traffic committee' and make sure cyclists who use this road to go between microsoft/overlake/crossroads/marymoore park and the eastgate park andride and other points south can be represented.

if you bike this route or would like to voice your opinion on this matter please contact me we are chosen to join the committee.

if you wish (and i think it might not be a bad idea anyway) to pass along your concerns with these UN-bike-friendly choices that are being considered please feel free to email the 2 project leads on this directly.

linda glas - lglas at bellevuewa.gov   425-452-2841
rebecca rodni - rrodni at bellevuewa.gov   425-452-6160

if you live along the road where this will affect you directly you received a flyer/survey in the mail. fill it out and send it in BEFORE this friday JULY 31.

Libby Landy
www.EmeraldCityStringQuartet.com 
A String Ensemble for Every Event!

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