It was interesting to go back to another community forum for the Polk Street project. It'll be interesting to see how they work with the issue of potentially decreasing on-street parking so that the bike lane can extend throughout Polk (and not just be sporadic). Personally, I don't feel safe biking on Polk Street unless the bike lane is there. Car drivers are just too careless, speedy, and unconcerned for the well-being of pedestrians and bicyclists. I prefer defined spaces for different users.
I'm also still concerned about public safety, especially in Lower Polk. While an array of transportation enhancements are great for the community, I still believe that there needs to be broader police involvement in the neighborhood. I would like to see police walking or biking up and down Polk Street to assist with maintaining a calm, pleasant atmosphere. Otherwise, some of the drunk, drug-induced, or mentally challenged people create an inhospitable environment. I do not want my neighborhood reduced to such a place.
