Marin IJ Readers’ Forum for June 2, 2024

Consider prohibiting all e-bikes on popular paths

It’s been nearly two years since my brother, Jim Gordon, was hit by an electric-assist bike rider while walking on the Mill Valley-Sausalito Pathway. A week later, he died.

While I’m grateful the Marin County Civil Grand Jury has called attention to the public safety concern of children riding motorized bicycles, they missed an opportunity to encourage county and city officials to rethink policies allowing e-bikes on multiuse paths.

E-bikes are the only motorized vehicles allowed on the Mill Valley-Sausalito Pathway (except those allowed pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act) and are subject to a posted speed limit and other safety rules intended to protect pedestrians and other pathway users from harm. Clearly, the rules need better enforcement.

As the grand jury points out, some e-bikes can easily be modified to increase speed. It is obvious to me that speed is the primary reason these bikes are so popular.

The person who killed my brother remains anonymous, the name withheld by the District Attorney’s Office who found insufficient evidence to pursue a charge of hit-and-run. I don’t know how fast that e-bike was going, or why the rider couldn’t avoid hitting Jim that night. But like others who have experienced tragic loss resulting from e-bike accidents, I question why the use of e-bikes is not more carefully regulated and wonder if it’s reasonable to allow them to share a narrow, dimly lit pathway with pedestrians.

As discussions continue regarding e-bike usage and regulation, I ask that policy makers consider prohibiting their use on sidewalks and other pathways with heavy pedestrian usage. While nothing will bring my brother back to our family, perhaps a thoughtfully developed public policy will prevent a similar heartbreaking and life-changing tragedy from happening to someone else.

— Mary Neilan, Auburn

MMWD needs to put shovels in the ground

I have written several letters printed in the IJ in full support of increasing charges for Marin Municipal Water District supplied water. The costs involved with resolving the long-standing inadequate water storage in the county will be tremendous.

However, I am in agreement with Michael Miller’s recent letter regarding the MMWD Board of Directors’ eternal planning approach. It’s time to stop planning and start digging. Get it done.

— Michael Sillman, Larkspur

Measure C money should not be used to fell trees

I am disappointed with the IJ editorial published May 24 with the headline “Today’s work across Marin reduces wildfire risk of tomorrow.”

Some current research indicates that forest thinning may actually make fires worse, and that funds are best utilized for home-hardening and creating defensible space.

When Marin residents voted for Measure C in 2020, I believe many signed up for well-funded fire departments, a coordinated response, defensible space and safe evacuation routes.

Instead, what we seem to be getting is a laser focus on logging and thinning. I am concerned that this is actually an industry push for biomass energy and biochar production in Marin County. I suspect that won’t make us any safer. It could actually work against what we’re trying to achieve.

— Abby Cunningham, San Anselmo

Marin City needs a better evacuation plan

I am writing in response to the article published May 29 with the headline “Bid to shrink Marin City housing project criticized.”

Before any more new housing is built, officials must address the underlying fact that Marin City only has one way in and one way out. Shrinking the planned housing project means nothing if the “powers that be” refuse to acknowledge the fact they have no real evacuation plan.

As a Marin City resident, I feel we are sometimes considered the “ugly stepchild” that county officials want to ignore. I have listened to talk about an improved evacuation plan for Marin City residents for 20 years. Still today, I do not see an acceptable solution. I can only take this as a sign that county officials do not care enough.

Marin City is flood prone and sits next to the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. Its only access to Highway 101 northbound is through an underpass. That underpass could easily become blocked (or worse in an earthquake).

Marin City needs another way in and out. It does not need more twiddling of thumbs.

— Eric W. Overholt, Marin City