Letter: The reality of Ralston

Whether we like it or not, we must start with the reality that people use and will continue to use cars. We can wish for abandonment of this mode of transportation for bikes or other methods, and commend those who are engaged in such advocacy for their ideals, but there is a certain tilting at windmills aspect to this; 35,000 daily vehicle trips are not going to diminish. We must recognize that Ralston Avenue is used as a major route of auto transit and design accordingly for safety on it. To the extent that this is the point that Ms. Feierbach was trying to make in the story, I agree wholeheartedly.

And while this will anger those who want to think of Belmont as a quaint European village, it is not.

Belmont is a neighborhood in the major city that is the mid-Peninsula with people traversing our neighborhood. We should therefore plan accordingly, recognizing the reality that exists. We should stop viewing the middle section of Ralston Avenue as a local two-lane street when reality is contrary. It is a vital part of what moves cars from 280/92 to 101 and Redwood Shores.

Furthermore, better traffic controls at places where other traffic is merging in would be prudent. There is much that we can do to improve safety on Ralston Avenue, but we must first accept that it is a major automobile thoroughfare.

Jeffrey Selman

Belmont