Editor,
Recently, the San Mateo Council floated the idea of new, regressive sales taxes. The city is projecting a $14 million deficit this year and deficits of over $5 million thereafter. In addition, the city has an over $300 million capital backlog. While the justification for new revenue is clear, voters need to know that new taxes will be spent wisely.
Sadly, the city’s management of the Humboldt bike lane project doesn’t inspire fiscal confidence. The price of the original bike lanes was $1.9M. Recently, however, the city has spent hundreds of thousands of dollars (including Measure S sales taxes) on consultants, studies and meetings to consider ripping out the bike lanes. On Monday, the council will vote on a proposal that could cost $1.5M+. In addition, staff said that removal of the bike lanes could make it more difficult for the city to attract external funding; these grants can be large — SMCTA just approved $19.5M for San Mateo as part of its highway program. Finally, the city has yet to estimate the cost of potential litigation. Sustainability and Infrastructure Commissioner Kimi Narita questioned the cost of a lawsuit if a resident on a bike is killed. Another California city faced a CEQA lawsuit upon removing bike lanes.
On Monday, we will see what the Council decides: Option 1 — San Mateo residents pay $$$ for taxpayer-paid street parking in front of 55 homes on Humboldt; or Option 2 — keep our streets safe and spend the $$$ on projects throughout the city, that benefit all residents.
Mike Swire
San Mateo
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(8) comments
Thanks for your letter, Mr. Swire, but because the city wanted to take advantage of use-it-or-lose-it money to reward union transportation labor to install bike lanes, it is only fitting for the city to right their mistake and remove said bike lanes. Sure, union transportation gets paid again to “fill the hole” they “dug” in the first place but regardless of the cost, justice should prevail via the removal of discriminatory bike lanes. That benefit all residents.
Monday’s vote is about restoring parking that should have never been removed. In an effort to make safe bike lanes, alternatives need to be found outside of Humboldt, which is a truck thoroughfare and will never be safe for children or anyone using those lanes. Restoring the parking and finding quieter, safer streets for biking is not only common sense but what is best for San Mateo residents. It confounds me that a bike enthusiast is encouraging the continuation of dangerous bike lanes on a truck thoroughfare that has little use because people know how dangerous it is. It is also important to point out that insisting these dangerous bike lanes remain is continuing discrimination against an Equity Priority Neighborhood that has been steadfast in asking that their parking not be removed for bike lanes. It started in 2022, and now almost four years later, it has provided no benefit for them at all. It’s time to return all the parking and find safer biking routes for all of San Mateo.
Thanks for your concern for those who bike. If Humboldt is not safe why have people who bike overwhelmingly supported the bike lanes?
Yesterday, the San Mateo Police Department told kids to walk on Humboldt as it was safer than other routes downtown.
My guess is the kids were walking on the sidewalk, not on the street. Many bikers not associated with a special interest group have spoken up about the danger and safety issues riding on Humboldt. Please take 10 minutes to review this video; this is common sense and safety combined. https://youtu.be/h0cg_AId1i8
Well said Connie -- well said.
I’m no food expert, but I see a lot of similarities between Swire Word Salad and Gerd Word Salad.
Their respective word salads look the same and read the same.
Are they the same person? Or maybe sharing word salad recipes? Could they be cooking in the same kitchen? i just don't know; again, am no food expert here.
I just can’t get over the likeness in mumbo-jumbo-ness. I'm reminded of an old Temptations song with lyrics “ball of confusion”.
Thank you Taso for giving up.
Whenever people run out of arguments they start to insult those with superior arguments.
It is one obvious way to throw in the towel and surrender.
I love when conservatives argue for wasteful spending when it fits their narrative.
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