City of Burlingame CA seeks community input
The City of Burlingame CA is working on its updated master plan for bicycle and pedestrian accommodations. So the city is conducting a community workshop Nov. 20 (Wednesday) to begin the process of receiving input from residents regarding the plan that has been laid out so far.
The workshop takes place 6:30-8:30 p.m. in Lounges I and II in the Burlingame Recreation Center, located at 850 Burlingame Ave. This will allow city residents to view the preliminary Draft Recommendations and voice their opinions. The public comment period begins the same day as the workshop.
The updated master plan facing public scrutiny intends to improve the network of bicycle and pedestrian paths throughout Burlingame. The current network includes Bay Trail connections, pedestrian accommodations, on-street bike routes, and street and highway crossings.
City leadership hopes to gain a better understanding regarding several issues that concern public safety.
Those are:
- Local trouble spots
- Community challenges
- Thoughts from the public on walking and biking in Burlingame
The first two phases of the master plan have already begun. Phase I began in spring of 2019 and spanned the summer. This was the project kick-off that included a review of existing bicycle and pedestrian facility conditions. Then Phase II began the same summer. This involved pinpointing potential infrastructure improvements.
Then Phase III will span the winter of 2020. During this phase city leaders will review the draft plan, along with public comment received, and consider priorities.
Further public outreach scheduling is to be determined.
Why a bicycle and pedestrian master plan?
An article by the U.S. National Library of Medicine with the National Institute of Health (NIH) asserted that improving walking and biking conditions in the U.S. is essential for public health. Not only do upgrades in community walking and biking paths clearly improve public safety, they encourage outdoor exercise. Such improvements make it easier for those who are dangerously overweight to walk or bike on short trips rather than drive. This provides them with the opportunity to fit healthy exercise into their daily routines.
