Removal of State Street’s Green Bike Markings

Why no cost estimate for this decision? The attempt to cater to bicyclists is increasingly expensive and takes resources from the 99% of us who don't use self-powered bicycles. (I exclude the electric bike crowd as they should be subject to the same laws as all non-people powered vehicles.)

@9:13, a propos of catering to bicyclists, this is what Goleta intends for the Old Town section of Hollister Avenue:
"The Project addresses parking, speed, and safety concerns in Old Town, and includes:
One vehicle and bike lane in each direction
A non-traversable painted median
Back-in angled 90-minute parking along the north side of the street
Parallel 90-minute parking along the south side of the street ..."

This goes to show why we can't have nice things. Too many people just don't care to follow simple instructions anymore. People are too self absorbed to see how their actions affect others around them.

That said, there is no reason people need to bike down State Street. Better bike lanes on side streets would be a better method.

@Bosco, But no, think of the precious visitors to SB who won't get to experience the joy of biking on State st & window shop the multitude of businesses there.
Now if I can just get my tongue out my cheek.

Even if you never ride a bike yourself, you benefit every time someone rides a bike instead of driving. Just say "Thank you".

wishy washy gooberment

Bike, skate, or hide! This is the loud and clear message from cyclists, skaters and government. Electric bikes, boards and scooters have deliberately zipped past from behind nearly touching us many times walking the "promenade" and demanded the right of way in vehicle lanes. Cyclists have done it occasionally but less on State, and sometimes even obey the red lights. Electrics of all kinds are far worse, all over the street including sidewalks and moving at vehicular speeds with no clue how long it takes to stop much less avoid a pedestrian who doesn't see and can't hear them especially approaching from behind. How is it we haven't heard of any injuries? Maybe none serious enough yet to get media attention? Maybe nobody has sued the city yet? As it is now, only people indoors or sitting and watching it all in the new street sanctuaries are relatively safe. Just be sure to look both ways when you exit, because now you're stepping into busy, fast, inconsiderate, and inattentive traffic.

The State St Covid-induced mess will take a lot of time and money to recover from. Lots of headlines now addressing this real state corridor.

“ FYI: Skating or skateboarding has never been allowed on State St. There used to be signs around. Don't know if they are still around. Laughable, I know.”

Actually, the law and the signs state (i think) that skateboarding is not allowed on the SIDEWALK. My friend has one of those signs that are attached to every signpost on State.

BOSCO: “ That said, there is no reason people need to bike down State Street.”

Um, except to get to where they’re going.

I saw on TV that if you paint a tunnel on a wall you can drive right through it into the sunset.

It was a stupid idea to start with, putting a stop sign in the sand to prevent the tide from coming in too far.

Electric bikes along that part of State are moving at most car speeds. That and their weight means eventually someone is going to be seriously injured or even killed by one of these things doing 25 mph or so.

The City should spend money likes its their money not ours and nothing would get done

Is there a speed limit posted on the SSP for bikes? There should be - 8 mph?

I myself still walk on the sidewalks on State St. because even though there are times when I crossed State St. around mid block, I have been very close in getting hit by a bicyclist or a skateboarder. I say it is time for the restaurants to remove the parklets and open up State St. for vehicles. The restaurant owners have to pay the city rent for having the parklets on State St. And and top of that they have to pay a lot of insurance for each seating in case someone slips, falls and might get injured. That is one reason why it costs so much to dine and have alcohol beverages, as well as the high cost of the lease.

It seems like for safety reasons, maybe a separated, dedicated bike path is the answer? So, if you want the bike path to be in the center, use concrete or other barriers that only allow pedestrians to cross at certain locations.

When I think of the other places I've been where cycling is a lot more normal, and lives harmoniously with walking...the two areas are distinctly separated. Sidewalk. Bike lane. Road.

Gimli, in re: "it is time for the restaurants to remove the parklets and open up State St. for vehicles." Think back to State Street circa 2019. State Street was becoming one closed storefront after another with car traffic, and populated by homeless folks camping on doorsteps. The foot traffic model of shopping at Paseo Nuevo anchored by Macy's and Nordstrom's was dying due to mail order shopping. The pandemic just enhanced their demise. The patient (State Street) was dying (as a business district). The successful surgery was turning it into a pedestrian zone and bringing folks back downtown again. No doubt State Street now has its aesthetic problems, but bringing cars and parades back (4 x year?) was and is a losing economic proposition.

Who's paying for all of this he must be a billionaire oops oh it's taxpayers money what a clown show.