"Bike lanes on Pico and Ocean Park need to be eliminated. There is too much congestion on those thorough fares that emergency vehicles such as the police and fire department can't get through. Broadway, Colorado, Arizona and some of the East-West Streets are much safer for the cyclists. Olympic is good as well as the streets have dual lanes in both directions."
Oct. 1, 2014 Whitney Scott Bain

"Studies have shown that the development of a multimodal transportation system can assist in mitigating traffic conditions. Historically these types of programs have the most success when the community is involved in every step of the planning process through the establishment of advisory committees comprised of local bike enthusiasts. Arlington, Virginia is one shining example of how a long term approach which relies on community involvement can create biking facilities and infrastructure that increases the overall community's interest in utilizing these assets. The Expo Corridor Bike Path is a great first step, but we need to be sure that we are focused on projects that cater to the needs and desires of current bikers in the area in order to ensure we maximize the long-term benefits of these programs."
Oct. 1, 2014 Nick Boles

"Bike Lanes, done properly, will relieve our traffic over the coming decades. However, ill-placed bike lanes are taking away needed parking and turn lanes. We can't legislate people out of their cars but we can incentivize their switch to other forms of transportation by providing great bike lanes that feature great connectivity and safety. We can do better.

That also means bicyclists must observe the rules of the road!"
Oct. 1, 2014 Phil Brock

"Santa Monica has seen a major expansion of bike lanes and bike use in the thirty years I've lived here. Many people who once drove their cars almost exclusively, now incorporate bike riding and bike commutes into their regular routine. This has substantially reduced trips that would have otherwise been made in automobiles.

As a neighborhood activist in 1989-1990, I was a member of the 17-person Main St. Advisory Committee of residents, merchants and property owners who unanimously recommended to the Council to change Main St. from four lanes of traffic to two, along with a turning lane and a bike land in each direction. This has not only increased bike safety, but has been good for local, neighborhood-serving small business on Main St., as according to local merchants, passersby in cars now go slower and see the businesses along the street and patronize them."
Oct. 1, 2014 Michael Feinstein

"Studies and results that are published online indicate that bike lanes, bike programs, and the presence of bicyclists, successfully relieve traffic by reducing motor vehicle speeds and reducing average daily vehicle trips while managing, reducing or eliminating diverted vehicle traffic. Santa Monica's own newly approved Michigan Avenue Neighborhood Greenway project (MANGo) describes the vision and physical improvements that will be implemented to calm traffic, reduce motor vehicle volume, improve mobility, safety and access in the defined corridor. I support development of greenways like this that will install bicycle lanes in addition to physical improvements such as traffic circles and curb extensions to reduce cut-through traffic and meet the established goals."
Oct. 1, 2014 Jennifer Kennedy

"The way it stands, in many situations the bike riders are in competition and at odds with the drivers, not to mention the skateboarders in our city. For the bike riders and skateboarders, there are limited to no safe pathways for them to drive. Pedestrians, especially the elderly, are put at risk while the bike riders, skateboarders, and other modes of transportation use both the sidewalks and the streets."
Oct. 1, 2014 Terence Later

"Bikes are traffic-busters even for people who never ride.

I've ridden a bike in Santa Monica for over 38 years, more when I was younger than now, so I know all the joys and challenges first-hand.

Our new bike lanes, the upcoming Michigan Avenue Greenway project, our Safe Routes to Schools program, bike valets, and downtown’s twin bike centers all help those willing and able to use bicycles to ride conveniently and safely. I've taken the lead on a new regional bike-sharing program.

Drivers benefit from fewer other cars on the road. Even a small reduction in total vehicles, as little as ten percent, can turn gridlock into free flow on our streets. Every bike you see is one small step toward traffic relief.

Reduced traffic is not the only worthwhile benefit of encouraging increased bicycle usage, of course. Active transportation means better public health, and a bicycle outperforms even an electric car in reducing global greenhouse gas emissions.

I know the intensifying mix of bikes and cars, bikes and pedestrians, is a challenge to some of us. Changing long-held habits is hard. We will learn to share safe streets, and in the end we all will share the benefits."
Oct. 1, 2014 Kevin McKeown

"5 years ago almost no one rode to work. The introduction of bike lanes and bike infrastructure has led to almost five percent of commuters riding a bike. When we get to ten percent of bike commuting, traffic overall will change for the better and flow more freely. Bikes appeal to a certain population and their usage free the roads for other demographics to use cars. Bikes connect easily with other public transport as part of a long term cultural shift. The key is making riding bikes safe and easy. And to get all round more respect for road rules."
Oct. 1, 2014 Richard McKinnon

"They have to be properly designed to increase the public trust and safety. For that reason there are more bicycles in the road in cities like Portland Oregon, that reduce traffic. The bike programs relieve traffic, but without the right bike lanes we are not making progress."
Oct. 1, 2014 Zoë Muntaner

"Every bicycle trip that is not a car trip takes away from traffic demand. By providing safe routes for bicycle riders, more riders of all ages travel by bike. These improvements include better visible lanes that encourage more people to feel comfortable cycling on the road. Bike parking spaces and bike valet programs support biking which is the fastest growing mode in Santa Monica. The Bike Center in downtown provides a number of mobility services and the Bike Campus at the west end of Ocean Park Boulevard provides bike education and practice areas."
Oct. 1, 2014 Pam O'Connor