I have bicycled to work and for shopping in Burbank since I moved here in 1994. I have no problem using the city’s existing bike routes, but find the Chandler Bikeway useless for commuting.

Please don’t waste our tax dollars on further recreational venues in the name of bicycle commuters (“Bikeway projects OKd,” Dec. 19). The only way bike paths are of use to commuting cyclists is if they are for bicycles only.

Riding a bicycle among joggers, walkers, skaters and loiterers is unsafe. There are plenty of sidewalks in this town they can use.

CHRISTIE EDINGER, Burbank

I have been reading the letters regarding the Chandler Bikeway for months, and I think I have a solution to this terrible problem.

First of all, let me say that spending $2,100 on signs is ludicrous in this economy or any economy. It would have been better served going to the Burbank Temporary Aid Center or Burbank Family Services. Back to the solution: We need to form a bikeway task force, appoint John Gaskill the head of the task force, and then we need to arm the entire task force with Tasers or assault weapons. The task force would patrol the bikeway 24/7 and shoot anyone who crosses over the marked line, regardless of age, method of transportation or the terrible rule they have broken.

People, seriously, this “bikeway” is a perfect way to meet new people and neighbors, spend time with family and embrace life. When you use the bikeway, I suggest you look ahead, pay attention to your surroundings, say hi to passersby, don’t look away or pretend to look at your watch. You might meet a neighbor or even start a new friendship. If you are a cyclist and want to ride fast, try the street or the bikeway along the Golden State (5) Freeway.

As in life, it’s all about courtesy and respect. I think we have bigger issues than worrying about who should or shouldn’t be on a bikeway.

KEN SMITH, Burbank

MAIL BAG: Chandler cyclists backed by law

To deal with a small but vocal group of residents, the Burbank City Council recently adopted a plan to place signs along the Chandler Bikeway advising bicyclists to yield the right of way to pedestrians in bicycle lanes (“City approves Chandler signs,” April 4). Is the city begging for a lawsuit? Perhaps — and here’s why.

The Chandler Bikeway is a California Class 1 Bikeway — mostly paid for with funds provided by the federal government and the state of California. Its development was regulated by California Streets and Highways Code Section 890 primarily for the benefit of bicycle commuters, not socializing pedestrians (in spite of what City Council members at the time may have thought or now think). If you don’t believe me, Google it. Like all state roads and highways, its use is regulated by the California Vehicle Code, which includes some very interesting provisions. Among them:

California Vehicle Code Section 21211 states in part: “(a) No person may stop, stand, sit, or loiter upon any class I bikeway, as defined in subdivision (a) of Section 890.4 of the Streets and Highways Code, or any other public or private bicycle path or trail, if the stopping, standing, sitting, or loitering impedes or blocks the normal and reasonable movement of any bicyclist.

“(b) No person may place or park any bicycle, vehicle or any other object upon any bikeway or bicycle path or trail, as specified in subdivision (a), which impedes or blocks the normal and reasonable movement of any bicyclist unless the placement or parking is necessary for safe operation or is otherwise in compliance with the law.”

California Vehicle Code Section 21966 applies to pedestrians, stating: “No pedestrian shall proceed along a bicycle path or lane where there is an adjacent adequate pedestrian facility.”

The “rules of the road” for the Chandler Bikeway are defined in the California Vehicle Code.

The “Chandler Bikeway” is shown as such on maps, Google, and in publications distributed by transit agencies throughout California to commuters who ride bicycles.

The city of Burbank needs to live up to its agreements with the state and protect use of the bike lanes for cyclists as the law intends.

If signs are going to be placed along the bikeway, they should quote the above code sections, then let people decide what they want to do and take their chances accordingly.

JOHN GASKILL, Burbank

FRONT PAGE: City approves Chandler signs

‘Yield to Pedestrian’ signs will cost about $2,100 for the oft-fought-over Burbank passageway.

By Christopher Cadelago

CITY HALL — Aiming to address conflicts between pedestrians and bicyclists who share Chandler Bikeway, the City Council this week unanimously supported placing signs along the route asking cyclists to yield to pedestrians.

But city leaders rejected a proposal that would have renamed the corridor Chandler Pathway, citing potential conflicts with Los Angeles and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, which share ownership of the property.

The council on Tuesday voted 3-2 to retain the name Chandler Bikeway for the two-mile passageway that stretches from Mariposa Street to the city border at Clybourn Avenue.

The decision temporarily ends a long-running dialogue between city executives, cyclists and pedestrians that produced five alternatives to the current configuration, which delineates right-of-way by separating cyclists and pedestrians using road striping and signs.

Renaming the path would cost about $2,100, excluding sign installation fees, said David Kriske, a senior planner for the city.

“I certainly appreciate all the discussion and, I got to tell you, I was one that was willing to have the discussion,” said Councilwoman Marsha Ramos, who opposed the rename. “But I am going back to my premise, which is incremental steps. The ‘Yield to Pedestrians’ [signs] are fine. I’ll save the $2,100 for now.”

Still, others believe the money would go far in compelling cyclists to change their attitudes on the pathway.

“Changing the name sounds kind of silly, but calling it Chandler Bikeway implies that its primary, main purpose is for bikes,” said Mayor Dave Golonski. “You could ride your bike on the pathway. You could push strollers on the pathway. You can roller-skate. But it is not exclusive to any particular use. I think changing it to indicate that makes sense.”

Sisters Jane and Sam Malone, who walk the path Thursday mornings, agree.

“I think it’s less a question of safety and more one of courtesy,” said Sam Malone, of Burbank.

Established in 2004, Chandler Bikeway consists of two four-foot bicycle lanes and a six-foot pedestrian lane.

A yellow dashed line separates bike lanes while a solid white stripe divides walkways.

Burbank and Los Angeles together control 41.1% of the property in their jurisdictions, with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority owning 58.9%, Kriske said.

Under the agreement, Burbank is required to maintain the path’s designation as a bikeway. Changing the use from a bikeway requires final approval from Los Angeles and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority.

What’s more, the city would likely have to forfeit $2 million in Metropolitan Transportation Authority grant funds provided for design and construction of the bikeway, Kriske said.

While a name change reflected on signs and plaques does not require outside approval, Vice Mayor Gary Bric said the city could face possible repercussions by tinkering with the agreement.

As another way to suppress potential conflict between cyclists and pedestrians, the council on Tuesday considered five alternative configurations to the bikeway, including additional signs and pavement legends, a defined median, undefined right-of-way rules, bi-directional lanes and no striping at all. The projects range in cost from $13,000 to $35,000.

Despite studies by the police department, which deemed the bikeway as safe, a handful of citizens last year began a steady push for a redesign.

In January, resident Robert Phipps proposed a series of changes, which included widening the pedestrian lane from six to seven feet, imposing a maximum speed limit of 10 mph, renaming the bikeway to something that connotes slower and more leisurely travel and a requirement that cyclists use headlights and other safety equipment.

However, Phipps on Tuesday joined the ranks of organizations, such as Friends of the Chandler Bikeway, who say major changes to the bikeway are unnecessary.

“I’ve done some reading, some listening and some thinking, and I’ve changed my mind,” Phipps said. “Staff says there is no observable danger. I believe there is some, but it’s infrequent, mainly from a few bicyclists who are riding aggressively with an ownership mind set toward the lane they are in.”

Phipps said he called Bric to inform him of the change of heart. As it turned out, Bric had one as well.

“Initially, I supported [Alternative] B,” said Bric, referring to a plan that called for additional signage as well as a more defined walkway. “After reading everything over, and I was picking [Phipps’] brain last night, I am definitely in favor of leaving it the way it is and just putting up signs that say ‘Bicycles Yield to Pedestrians.’”

BURBANK CITY COUNCIL MEETING PREVIEW

Tuesday March 31, 2009 – 6PM
Council Chambers, 2nd floor City Hall, 275 E. Olive Ave., Burbank

ITEM 4: CHANDLER BIKEWAY SHARED-USE ISSUES FOLLOW-UP:
At the January 13, 2009 Council meeting, staff presented a number of options to address the potential conflict between users on the Chandler Bikeway. The Council directed staff to study changes to the bikeway signing and striping, and to present possible alternatives to the Friends of the Chandler Bikeway community group as well as boards and commissions involved with the original design of the Bikeway. The Council also asked for staff to receive community input on changing the name of the bikeway. This report will provide a summary of the alternatives considered and an update of this community outreach.

Recommendation: Given the lack of an observed safety problem and based upon input from City advisory boards and community groups, staff recommends the Council direct staff to leave the operation of the Chandler Bikeway unchanged.

Item No. 4 Staff Report
http://burbank.granicus.com/MetaViewer.php?view_id=2&event_id=27&meta_id=43216

Item No. 4 Exhibits
http://burbank.granicus.com/MetaViewer.php?view_id=2&event_id=27&meta_id=43218

CHANDLER BIKEWAY REDESIGN

City executives will present to the council five signing and striping alternatives to address safety concerns on the Chandler Bikeway.

Each of the alternatives reinforces safe bikeway behavior. They include calls for additional signs and legends, a defined median, simple right-of-way rules, bi-directional lanes, and no striping.

However, after a study of the situation by three city advisory boards and Friends of Chandler Bikeway community group, members agreed that the bikeway should remain unchanged.

Staff suggests the council adopt Option A, which calls for additional signs and legends.

WHAT TO EXPECT Council, barring any public input in support of a given option, is expected to follow the staff suggestion.

Question: Was the Chandler Bikeway funded by a tax on Burbank bicycle riders, or did the taxes of Burbank joggers, stroller pushers, inline skaters, dog walkers, sidewalk astronomers and people who enjoy the outdoors help pay for it? Just wondering.

TIM ELLIOTT, Burbank

COMMUNITY COMMENTARY: Sharp wit from a lovely man

Mel Schnell celebrated his 91st birthday at the Coral Café on Burbank Boulevard on Feb. 10. The Burbank community showered birthday wishes on this gentleman with the wicked sense of humor. People who know Mel from his daily walks on the Chandler Bikeway shared a meal, lots of laughs and goodwill.

I’ve known Mel for more than three years, and I look forward to seeing him each morning. His comments are hilarious and make my walks much more enjoyable. When I step onto the bikeway, I know I will have a memorable encounter with Mel, and that I need to be on my toes with a quick rejoinder to his pithy comments.

Often, his remarks are centered on the multitude of birds hanging out on the power lines along Chandler Boulevard. He asked me one morning if I was going to help him if and when those birds descended on his house. For the rest of my walk, I thought about his comment, picturing scenes from Alfred Hitchcock’s thriller, “The Birds,” and laughing out loud. Over the years, Mel has made far too many funny comments for me to mention here, but take my word for it, he’s one of the funniest people I’ve ever had the pleasure of knowing.

When I wrote about this incredible man last year (“A tale of a man and his dog,” Letter to the Editor, Feb. 6, 2008), I wrote primarily about the passing of his beloved dog, Hobo, and how together, their morning walk was a kind of ballet and a thing of beauty. I miss seeing the delicate dance Mel and Hobo did, as Mel stopped to chat with someone and Hobo sauntered on a few feet, or hunkered down and waited for her walk to resume. Mel chose not to replace Hobo after she passed away, and I think he made the right decision. Hobo was very special, as was the love they had for each other.

After my letter appeared in the Burbank Leader, the community rallied around Mel and threw him his first-ever birthday party. This year, even more people joined in his second birthday celebration, and I watched as those who love him feted this deserving man.

As Mel enters his 91st year and the community embraces this kind, funny and endearing man, I anticipate each morning’s encounter with secret glee. I wonder what the topic du jour will be. Will his sharp wit take notice of a passerby’s lack of proper attire, or someone’s dog wearing a nicer sweater than he’s wearing? Will his agile mind conjure up a comment that stops me dead in my tracks and leaves me chuckling for the rest of the day? The chances are good a guffaw will be ready and waiting for me and delivered with sly relish.

Whatever the subject may be, Mel’s brilliant banter amuses many people along the Chandler Bikeway. He’s a Burbank fixture, a favorite son and a treasure; and I, for one, hope he continues taking his daily morning walk for another 91 years. My happiness depends on it.

PAMELA LANG is a Burbank resident.

MAIL BAG: Must be outsiders causing problems

Regarding “Some tips to improve the Chandler Bikeway,” Community Commentary, Jan. 14:

I have a solution for the ugly bike path problem.

Put an ID checkpoint at the North Hollywood-Burbank border, with a crossing arm and armed military, a la Nazi Germany, and stop nonresidents from using our beloved “bike” path.

It couldn’t possibly be Burbank residents causing all this havoc and overcrowding of bikes, roller-bladers, dogs, strollers, people and discourtesy.

I have to stop. My tongue is hurting my cheek.

I sure hope Robert Phipps catches all those speeding bikers going 10 mph.

STEVE URBANOVICH, Burbank

I am 12 years old, and I would like to share my experiences on the Chandler Bikeway. I love riding on the path. It’s very enjoyable. It was a very smart idea to build it, because people that would like to get somewhere don’t have to deal with the problems of cars. It is a Class 1 bikeway. Some people may argue that pedestrians should not be allowed on the path.

On the other hand, some people would like them to use the path.

My opinion is we can have a happy medium by making it a little more clear to all users. I get pretty mad when I see roller-bladers with their dogs and bikers in the wrong lane.

One solution to the problem is having the police patrol it. I rarely see police near the path. How about having a bike patrol? The police would definitely change people’s bad habits. On a positive note, I am very glad to see people on the path having a great time.

DILLON WIEGAND, Burbank

It’s the Chandler Bikeway, folks. Not the Gaza Strip.

So frightened have I been by all the recent talk of how dangerous and chaotic the Chandler Bikeway is, I considered buying a flak jacket before my next ride. But instead of mine fields and bunkers and rifle-toting troops, what I usually see is this: considerate people. On one recent Sunday night ride, almost every single person I saw said hello, waved, smiled, nodded or shrugged some form of polite greeting. The nerve!

I ride the Chandler Bikeway several times a week. Like everyone else I dodge slow bikers, walkers encroaching upon the bike lane, children on bikes and trikes and scooters they cannot control. I dodge the occasional road pie left by a dog and its inconsiderate owner. I have not yet dodged bullets or grenades. I have yet to see any accidents, calamities or paramedics.

I will admit that I often want to yell at bikers going too fast, those standing still blocking the way, that speeding roller-blader who criss-crosses all lanes, walkers four across as they march in the lane designated for me and my bike. I get frustrated when the rhythm of my ride is interrupted by a dog that has too much liberty on his leash.

But I put up with it.

I put up with it in the same way that I put up with inconsiderate drivers on the road, herd-like crowds at the mall or those people who hang out at Costco all day, pouncing on the free sausage the moment it comes off the hot plate. This last group really irks me. I believe they are a secret society of moochers whose agenda is to find free food every day, then go home to their mansions and laugh at the rest of us.

The fact that there are people complaining about the bikeway is further proof that people have an instinctive need to argue about most anything. On my last ride I witnessed several gentlemen in wheelchairs using the bike lane. This, I am sure, will give rise to much debate.

But so up in arms have people been recently that the matter of what to do about our bikeway has gone all the way up to that supreme assembly of the civic trust: our esteemed City Council.

I recently patched some holes in the walls of my daughters’ room. I pulled up a chair when I finished and watched the spackle slowly set. Watching a City Council meeting on TV is about like that. I feel good about it. I know it is necessary; but it is no Will Smith movie. Although, where else can one hear such cutting dialogue as, “what would the punishment be if someone did not comply with the one gallon per minute bathroom faucet aerator regulation?”

I do not want to disrespect our council. Just the opposite. I am sure they would be bored to tears watching me sit at my desk selling post-production services. And in fact, watching the council meeting reminded me to install those faucet aerators the city sent to everyone not long ago. Though it hisses annoyingly, the pride of a civic duty fulfilled is overwhelming.

While watching this council meeting, it became apparent to me that our City Council members do not always agree with one another, sometimes testily. But I like our council members, “proven” or not. They are all different individuals with varying agendas and unique points of view. In essence, they represent the rest of us.

Thankfully they found no great reason to debate this issue much. There were a few words about budgetary constraints and the need to keep our police force focused on something other than whether bikers are staying under 8 mph on the bikeway. They promised that the matter would be “looked into further” at another time. That’s politico for, “we have more important matters to discuss right now.” And I for one am glad for that.

In these disastrous economic times, asking the city to put more time, money or resources into controlling the bikeway is wrong. When we ask the government to regulate our behavior over something as simple as this, we have failed as a society to do that for ourselves.

If you want to speed, ride the Los Angeles River bike path. If you want to walk without bikers close by, there are sidewalks on either side of Chandler Boulevard. If you want to do whatever you desire without regard for anyone else, or if you want to live in a sterile environment free from the possibility of interaction with other human beings and their nasty habits, stay home. If you want to join the rest of us on the path, accept the fact that you may need to slow down or move out of someone’s way occasionally.

It has been my experience that nowhere else in our city is the true spirit of Burbank more evident than the Chandler Bikeway; overwhelmingly good people enjoying one another’s company, and a very few bad eggs who don’t care about anyone else. The latter we will always have with us. Let them get speeding tickets and high cholesterol.

We don’t need to repave it, repaint it, rename it, patrol it or otherwise mandate it. You can’t regulate common courtesy. And that is all we need.

PATRICK CANEDAY lives and works in Burbank.

In his Jan. 24 Mailbag letter (“A bikeway by any other name”), Richard J. Tafilaw sarcastically criticizes the City Council for considering a name change to the Chandler Bikeway as a viable way to make it a safer place for all its users. How sad.

Throughout history, names and labels have often proved an effective and low-cost way to influence (positively or negatively) people’s perceptions, attitudes, beliefs and behavior. We learned it from women in the 1970s liberation movement when they demanded to be called “Ms.” and not “Mrs.” or “Miss.”

We have learned the value of names from child psychology books (and life), which tell us that if we want our children to have self-esteem and self- confidence, we must label them “beautiful” and “brilliant,” not “stupid” and “ugly;” and, in fact, from every expecting parent who puts so much thought into his or her coming child’s name, knowing it will help define them to themselves and others forever.

To understand the power of a name, we only have to talk to any real estate developer about how and why they chose the name of their project, or to any homeowner in the neighborhood of “Valley Village” or “West Toluca Lake” — who deliberately petitioned for that name — about their enhanced property values and pride of ownership since their neighborhood name was changed from “North Hollywood.”

ROBERT PHIPPS, Burbank

City Council Candidates offer their solutions to big issues in Burbank

Following is an except — only responses to question #2 are included.

2. There has been much talk lately of potential safety hazards associated with Burbank’s Chandler Bikeway. What do you think should be done to address the safety issues?

CITY COUNCIL CANDIDATE LEE DUNAYER — The council has referred this issue to citizen subcommittees and neighborhood stakeholders for input. Safety measures that can be undertaken at minimal cost include additional signage and educational efforts.

CITY COUNCIL CANDIDATE STEVEN FERGUSON — The Chandler Bikeway is a community jewel, and I believe that 90% of all users of the bike path stay to their side of the path. I support an education campaign via signs and other notices to local users to reinforce some very simple common courtesies. Regulation of the bike path would only make things more complicated than they need to be.

CITY COUNCIL CANDIDATE DAVE GOLONSKI — The Chandler Bikeway is a major asset, and we need to make sure that a very small minority of people not using common courtesy are not allowed to spoil this jewel.

I would start with some changes to the path’s layout and an effort to educate everyone on how to safely share the path.

CITY COUNCIL CANDIDATE DAVID GORDON — The council recently directed staff to explore innovative ways to improve safety for pedestrians and bikers who enjoy the Chandler Bikeway. I look forward to reviewing staff’s recommendations to improve safety for everyone utilizing the Chandler Bikeway.

CITY COUNCIL CANDIDATE DAN HUMFREVILLE — There is little that the city can do directly to make drivers and users more aware of their responsibilities when using or crossing the bikeway. The primary method for intervention falls on increased enforcement of traffic laws by the Police Department. I would investigate the addition of police bike patrols or even patrols using our reserve officer force.

CITY COUNCIL CANDIDATE GREG JACKSON — Legislating common courtesy and good manners should not be the role of government, but a problem exists that requires resolution. The recent Community Forum article by Robert Phipps (Burbank Leader, Jan. 14) contained many good suggestions including additional signage, reconfiguration of the existing path and a speed limit. I would support implementing most of Phipps’ suggestions.

CITY COUNCIL CANDIDATE KIMBERLY JO — I would consider implementing clear signage that delineates usage and protects pedestrians and bicyclists to enjoy the environment.

CITY COUNCIL CANDIDATE JEFFREY W. PRUTZ — [No answer given.]

CITY COUNCIL CANDIDATE BARBARA SHARP — We all want to avoid potential safety hazards, however, implementing restrictions on usage or diverting resources to monitor every possible problem on the Bikeway is likely unduly reactionary and expensive. The fact that the Chandler Bikeway is such a popular venue speaks to its success. Placing signage that addresses these potential hazards, such as is successfully utilized in the beach cities, would assist people in better understanding safety guidelines for the benefit of all bikeway users.

CITY COUNCIL CANDIDATE ELISE STEARNS-NIELSEN — I think the City Council’s recommendation to look at possible solutions to the safety hazards is a good idea, such as widening the walkway part, and/or reducing the two bike lanes to one, and/or more signage on the pathway.

CITY COUNCIL CANDIDATE JESS TALAMANTES — The Chandler Bikeway was created to provide a safe and fun way for residents to ride their bikes in a previously unused strip of railway property. It has evolved into a peaceful place to sit, walk or ride a bike. The bikeway is currently divided into a walking side and a bike side. It should be viewed as a privilege to use it, being respectful and courteous to others. Observing their safety should be understood; if not, you forfeit that privilege.

CITY COUNCIL CANDIDATE GAREN YEGPARIAN — The Chandler Bikeway is part of my work commute. Safety hazards may exist, but are largely a matter of courtesy and better awareness of “bikeway rules.” We should implement an outreach program to riders and walkers, conveying how to make the best, safest and most enjoyable mutual use of a great Burbank resource.

COMMUNITY FORUM

BERT RING/The Leader 1-31-09

MAIL BAG: Bikeway problems are kids’ stuff

Ugh! Enough already with the Chandler Bikeway discussion/rant (“Some tips to improve the Chandler Bikeway,” Community Commentary, Jan. 14; “Bikeway study has a few holes,” Mailbag, Jan. 17).

Are you seriously telling me that the adults in our community need more official (costly) Burbank signs to tell us how to behave? Here’s an idea — ask a child. Yep, any kid on any playground knows what to do. Share. Take turns. Be polite. As a last resort, use your words (example: “Excuse me.”)

If appealing to common sense and common courtesy doesn’t work, how about a little guilt?

Do you know how many communities would love just the idea of their own bikeway? In Burbank, it is a reality. Stop counting the near-“accidents” and start counting your blessings.

If we still can’t see how to improve our enjoyment by improving our own behavior, then take an expert guide on your next outing to the Chandler Bikeway. Take a child.

JONI GILLIS, Burbank

MAIL BAG: A bikeway by any other name

I couldn’t believe my eyes, but there it was in black and white. Rather than simply addressing the problems of the Chandler Bikeway as reasonable, intelligent human beings, our esteemed City Council has opted instead to “rename” it! As my great grandmother might say — Mein Gott in Himmel! It’s like the Three Stooges and the Marx Brothers have taken over the city.

But imagine how convenient this system would be around the house. Say your computer printer won’t print out that cute picture of the dog chewing on grandpa’s slippers; just start calling it a cucumber and it’ll be humming like new.

Maybe your adolescent son is giving you fits; simply change his name to Happy Sparkling Sunshine and he’ll clean the litter box, finish his homework and take out the trash in a flash without any lip.

Or perhaps your transmission has given out on the freeway; just start calling it a Snickers bar and you’ll be home in no time.

Using the Golonski-Reinke-Bric-Gordon-Ramos Method of Problem Solving, all we need to do to fix the Chandler Bikeway is to call it the “The Glendale Bikeway.” Then it won’t be our problem anymore.

RICHARD J. TAFILAW, Burbank

Published Burbank Leader, Saturday, January 17, 2009

BURBANK CITY COUNCIL MEETING WRAP-UP

CHANDLER BIKEWAY A name change for Burbank’s popular bikeway, where walkers and cyclists have repeatedly clashed, could soon be in store after the council asked two city groups to consider renaming the route.

The Friends of the Chandler Bikeway, run by the Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department; and the Traffic Commission, will now consider changing the Chandler Bikeway name to incorporate its wider usage.

The council stayed away from larger changes that some had pushed for, citing funding the city receives, which stipulates that Burbank cannot alter the usage of the bikeway.

There has been one official police report of a mid-path accident on the bikeway, along with anecdotes of close calls between walkers, cyclists, roller-bladers and others.

WHAT IT MEANS A report from the two groups will come during a future council meeting.

MAIL BAG: Bikeway study has a few holes

I am still digesting Robert Phipps’ article on “improving” the Chandler Bikeway (“Some tips to improve the Chandler Bikeway,” Community Commentary, Wednesday) and have a rebuttal, as well as some comments of my own.

What I am most curious about would be Phipps driving along Chandler Boulevard at 5 mph, monitoring the speed of people on the bike path.

I also am curious about how accurate his statistics are. Was he sitting at one bench or traveling along the path himself, and is he aware that cyclists get on and off the path at different streets? When he says “heavy vehicles,” does he mean bicycles, which I don’t really see as heavy compared to a car?

Changing the width of the bikeway makes no sense at all. It is a bikeway first, people, and dog-walking path second. Let the bicyclists navigate between themselves? I see what side of the “multiuse” pathway you are representing. Maximum speed limits? What happens if I am going 11 mph?

If Phipps has ever “observed” any other bikeways — say, the Venice bike path — he would see that it is a give-and-take situation, that you can’t effectively police it, and that the “traffic” there is much higher than 571 users in six hours.

MIKE RUFFING, Burbank

Published Burbank Leader, Wednesday, January 14, 2009
COMMUNITY COMMENTARY: Some tips to improve the Chandler Bikeway

The Chandler Bikeway can be dangerous. It has seen at least one serious accident. Without changes, I expect to see more.

Since the pathway was built in 2004, I have walked it more than 3,000 times for more than 1,000 hours and seen the activity there. The danger is caused by heavy vehicles moving fast and close to people and dogs moving slower.

In November, I spent more than six hours, during different days and times, monitoring the use of the Chandler pathway. I viewed 571 users, including walkers, joggers, toddlers, dogs, rollerbladers, skateboarders and people with strollers, on scooters, wheelchairs and bicycles. Including dogs, those on foot constituted 69.2% of the users. Those on bicycles were 23.6% of the users.

The bicyclists I saw constituted three types and speeds. There were slow bicyclists; often children on bikes, who were just ambling along at speeds up to 5 mph — which I clocked with my car.

There were those who were traveling from 5 to 10 mph, often with backpacks, seemingly headed for destinations — work, school, home. And then there were the bicyclists who were apparently there for a strong physical workout, for speed and/or distance, often in serious bicycling outfits, riding 10 to 20 mph or faster. It is this last group — the speeders — that poses the danger on the pathway.

Of the 135 bicyclists I viewed, 62 were going slowly; 58 were the medium-speed riders; and only 15, or 11%, were the speeders — and they were only 2.6% of all the pathway users. Those 2.6% — the speeders — were the only ones who were using the pathway in a manner inconsistent with the use and safety of all other users.

It seems to me we have four goals: one, make the Chandler pathway as safe as possible; two, make the pathway more user-friendly; three, spend as little money as possible to do it; and four, add little or no cost or burden for police enforcement. I believe these goals are attainable with these five steps:

• First: Widen the pedestrian lane from 6 feet to 7 feet, and make the two 4-foot-wide bicycle lanes into one 7-foot-wide bicycle lane.

For pedestrians, the 6-foot width is too narrow in many instances, and adds to the problem. An extra foot of width would help keep pedestrians from leaving their lane (narrowing the lane would only exacerbate the problems, as would removing a foot of user-width to paint a hatched median).

Having only one bicycle lane would actually increase safety. The bicyclists would navigate between themselves and would invariably and automatically move to the right of oncoming bicycles, as we do with cars. And, without direction lanes, there would be less sense of territorial ownership so that bicyclists traveling east would no longer feel compelled to ride right next to people in the pedestrian lane, where the risk is highest, and would be inclined to drift a safer distance to the left.

One thing to note: In more than six hours of observation, I witnessed only 135 bicyclists. If half were going east and half west, and it takes about a second for them to pass each other, that means that only 67 seconds — slightly more than a minute — of the more than six hours was spent with bicycles passing one another. In other words, for only about 10 seconds out of each hour were both bike lanes needed. For all the remaining time, the additional 4 feet of bicycle lane were unnecessary. A single 7-foot-wide bicycle lane would be more than adequate to accommodate all bicycle traffic in both directions.

• Second: Impose a maximum speed limit of 10 mph.

All bicyclists may use the pathway at that speed or below, and those who want to ride faster may do so in the street where they already do on all other streets. Drivers use drag strips and raceways when they want to race or speed; bicycle racers who want to ride fast should use the street. In that way, no one is deprived of their chosen activity, and the pathway becomes much safer. As it is now, I regularly see fast-moving bicyclists riding in one or the other Chandler roadways instead of on the bikeway. Curbing excessive bicycle speed will go further than any other action toward reducing risk of danger on the pathway.

• Third: Add periodic signs informing all pathway users of the following: "Maximum Speed 10 mph," "Yield to Slower Movers" (or "Slower movers have right of way"), "Anticipate Lane Encroachment." (Bicyclists already do this when riding in the street; they watch for opening car doors, dogs, kids running after balls, etc. This will reinforce the above rule, and help remove any cyclist‚Äôs feelings of lane "ownership.")

• Fourth: Name the location.

Right now, the location carries a descriptive title of a/the "Bikeway." If pragmatic considerations suggest keeping that title, then give the location an actual name; something that connotes slow, comfortable, safe use, not speed; something like "Chandler Lane," "Chandler Way," "Chandler Path." Then, on maps and in people’s minds, "Chandler" will consist of three named byways: "Chandler Boulevard South," "Chandler Boulevard North," and running between them, the Bikeway, "Chandler Lane."

• Fifth: Require certain equipment on bicycles, such as a sound warning device like a horn, bell or whistle, to be sounded when a bicyclist nears someone who is in the bike lane or who is near to it with a child or dog, or is unaware that the bicyclist is coming and might inadvertently enter it.

For night riding, which is especially dangerous, a headlight — preferably flashing so it can be picked out by other pathway users from the oncoming car headlights that can be blinding.

I believe that adopting the above-listed five steps would achieve the goals of improving safety and user-friendliness on the Chandler Bikeway at low cost and little or no increased police involvement.

ROBERT PHIPPS, Burbank

Published Burbank Leader, Wednesday, December 24, 2008
MAIL BAG: Sharing bikeway shouldn’t be too hard

I’d like to reply to the letter from Jennifer Agapiou of Valencia complaining about bike riders on the Chandler Bikeway (“Bikeway not meant for stunts,” Community Commentary, Dec. 20).

First of all, the Chandler Bikeway is a thing of beauty, and is a great asset to Burbank.

We live a half-block away, and at any time or day of the week, you can see people riding their bikes to get somewhere in a hurry (it is a bikeway, after all), casual riders, exercisers, seniors and families with toddlers.

The factor that makes it possible for all of these groups to coexist peacefully (in theory) are signs and markings that designate areas for pedestrians and bike traffic. We’re casual riders and try to follow the same rules of the road that would apply for driving in traffic.

On any given weekend, you will encounter a family of four or five members with at least one stroller, scooter or tiny bike. They are spread out across the bike lanes, meandering casually along, seemingly oblivious to the other traffic present. This necessitates steering around them, sometimes onto the grass.

Maybe a small article in the Burbank Leader, and/or a pamphlet distributed in the surrounding neighborhoods, that presented a few simple rules of bikeway etiquette would help prevent hurt feelings or accidents.

At the top of the list: (1) Slow traffic keep to the right, (2) safety first, and (3) read the signs, people.

JENNIFER RABUCHIN, Burbank

Published Burbank Leader, Saturday, December 20, 2008
COMMUNITY COMMENTARY: Bikeway not meant for stunts

I actually wanted to write this for a while, but was worried that maybe it was just me.

I grew up in Burbank, right down the street from the keystone part of the Chandler Bikeway. I was so excited that it was being constructed and thought about how wonderful it would be to be able to exercise, ride our bikes as a family, roller-blade, push my jogging stroller and walk with friends while walking off baby weight.

At the beginning, I used it maybe four times. I didn’t like the speed of the bike riders, I didn’t like the lighting (a bit too dark for me to walk alone), I didn’t like the dog poop that I’d almost step in, and I didn’t like feeling like I was being rushed by someone behind me.

On one of my last nights walking on it, I was walking with a group of moms, and we all had strollers. We were two in front and two in back. An older couple started walking in front of us, so I looked behind me like I would do if I was changing lanes in traffic to check to make sure no one was coming.

We started walking quickly around the couple, and when we started going back into the pathway, a biker blared a horn very loudly (waking babies), cussed at us, told us that we needed to stay in our lane and flipped us off.

I couldn’t believe it, mostly because we had babies and some of us had older children with us as well who understood the words used. The biker didn’t have a light on (the lighting was bad; we were over by Sizzler) and came flying at us.

The biker then continued to race down Hollywood Way, still cussing and screaming. What did we do? We stepped foot in the bike path for a whole 15 seconds just to pass someone, and we looked and saw no one coming either way. I didn’t go on it again for probably a year.

The next time we went on it, my 5-year-old wanted to ride her bike (with training wheels), so we took her up there because the sidewalks are terrible in our neighborhood and there’s no safe place that a child — or anyone — can ride a bike or walk without hitting pushed-up concrete and patched sidewalks.

We took her up there, and I pushed a stroller and walked with her (on the walkway) while my husband and son were ahead of us on their bikes (in the bike lane). My daughter was just learning how to ride this new bike and was going a bit slow.

A fast-paced couple walked by and told us that this isn’t the best place for this and that we should go to a school playground and practice, that we were too slow for it. I couldn’t believe it. If not on the bike path, where are we supposed to do this? The schools are just as bad as our sidewalks with bumps, etc.

This was built for use for families, for exercise, for leisure — not for bike racing or stunt tricks on scooters or bikes. Also, I thought it was a great idea that it was so close to Edison Elementary School so that the kids walking to and from school could use it. That intersection is absolutely terrible. No one stops (cars or bikes) at the stop signs. I’ve seen many, many kids come close to being hit. I’ve also seen a few bikers come barreling through the intersections and almost get hit.

We’ve since moved to Valencia where the city has paseos. They wind around the city and you can pretty much walk, bike or jog anywhere you want to go. There are no cars near it, and the pathway is big enough for four people to walk across it and still have room for a bike.

My kids are free to go their own speed, and I don’t feel unsafe. There are no bikes racing down there. In fact, I see more families walking together after dinner or in the mornings, walking their dogs and jogging.

It was a great idea, the Chandler Bikeway, but something needs to be done. Someone is going to get seriously hurt one day.

JENNIFER AGAPIOU, Valencia CA

Published Burbank Leader, Saturday, December 6, 2008
COMMUNITY COMMENTARY: Tough love needed on bikeway

With more and more stories of chaos and incivility arising daily concerning the Chandler Bikeway ("We can’t undo evolution of bike lane," Community Commentary, Nov. 12), I think it is time for the government to step in and put a stop to this madness.

It’s obvious that the concerned parties cannot "play nicely" together, so it’s high time to shove a little tough love down their throats.

Luckily, through the great wisdom of President Bush and his total-world-domination ambitions, a solution is at hand. Hundreds of highly trained military personnel are returning from the front lines every day well-versed in the persuading effects of the AK-47.

I propose that we hire several of these vets, station them every 50 yards along the bikeway and employ them to keep order in the "war zone." A pooch steps across the line into the bikeway, and a warning shot is fired over his head.

Same rule applies to all parties — if City Council member Marsha Ramos' Saturday morning gang of hangers-on starts its usual four-abreast walking, a warning shot will be fired above their heads.

Funding for Operation Chandler Bikeway Freedom can be easily procured by instituting a simple $99-per-month user fee, with $89 for seniors and children. Any excess money obtained can be funneled into a fund to hold more free dinners for retiring Burbank city executives and City Council members.

We live in a land of laws, of the people, by the people and for the people. When citizens refuse to obey those laws, they are not just making a mockery of our country and its institutions. They are criminals and should be dealt with as such.

RICHARD J. TAFILAW, Burbank

Published Burbank Leader, Wednesday, November 26, 2008
MAILBAG: Can’t we all just get along on bike path?

Regarding the so-called "bike path," we should change the name to "walk, dog and bike path" ("We can’t undo evolution of bike lane," Community Commentary, Nov. 12). It’s a sad situation that you’d have to do that, but some people just don’t get it. This might help, but I doubt it.

I am a bicyclist, riding for leisure and exercise. The riders who are would-be Lance Armstrongs, with their fancy shirts, think they have domination over everyone.

I’ve been close to being run down while on my bike by these rude riders. They haven’t even the courtesy to say, "Behind you, on your left." They are a hazard to walkers, dog walkers and other bicyclists.

Roller-bladers are another issue. They come at you, weaving from the bike path to the walking path as if the whole thing belongs to them.

With everything going on in the world, all the above things sound pretty stupid, right? I agree.

Maybe the solution is for the city to find other venues and designate them as "bikers only," "speed demons only," "Roller-bladers only" and "walkers only."

As long as people fail to exercise courtesy to all, there is no solution to this problem, and it will continue to exist, and accidents will happen.

STEVE URBANOVICH, Burbank

Published Burbank Leader, Saturday, November 15, 2008
MAILBAG: This city is made for walking

In response to Robert Phipps’ monumentally wrongheaded opinion article about the Chandler Bikeway (“We can’t undo evolution of bike lane,” Community Commentary, Wednesday):

There are hundreds of miles of bike-free sidewalks in Burbank and only a few miles of bikeway.

People walking on the bikeway can expect to encounter bicyclists moving at 15 to 20 mph on their left and must pay attention accordingly.

It’s common sense.

As a bicyclist, I pay attention to my surroundings and am courteous to others. All I ask of other Chandler Bikeway users is that they do the same.

SCOTT LOWE, Glendale

MAILBAG: Maybe traffic flow is the problem

Regarding “Path is no picnic for bicyclists,” Mailbag, Wednesday:

I do agree that those bicyclists who need speed can always ride in Griffith Park, but everyone who uses the bike path needs to be respectful.

Looking at the photo in the Wednesday paper, it seems that the walkers are walking on the wrong side of the path, which can cause a problem with the flow of traffic.

Maybe we should put signs up to let everyone know which side of the road they should be on.

RITA C. GONZALES, Burbank

Published Burbank Leader, Saturday, November 15, 2008
COMMUNITY COMMENTARY: On the bike path to salvation

The kids are arguing because one got a free giveaway ball from the dry cleaner and the other didn’t. The one without claims that I don’t love her as much as her sister. The dry cleaner ruined my favorite shirt. I broke my glasses. The wife is mad at me for spraying sunscreen in the girls’ eyes (again). Fox News is already blaming Obama for all the country’s woes.

And I am out of Prilosec.

Only one thing to do. Take a ride.

Last Christmas, my wife surprised me with a new bicycle. As a simple man in his early 40s, I choose to believe that this gift has more to do with the price of gas and my carbon footprint than the profundity of my midsection. Whatever her motive, the bike has become the best gift she has ever given to me outside of her love, her patience, her cute little bod and our two children. I’ve been a reluctant and unregimented exerciser my whole adult life, and for the first time ever I find myself craving the peace, meditation and physical output of my bike rides.

I set out one recent morning just before sunrise and made my way to Forest Lawn Drive at Barham. Along the way I encountered stoplights and traffic; there was much road work along the way, detouring me down busier streets than I would like. Half-filled and overfilled potholes made the ride bumpier as well.

Once I hit the bike lane at the top of Forest Lawn, I began my ride south. I felt a great sense of relief having finally made it to the path. I work hard, provide for my family, pay my taxes, go to church regularly, buy cookies from girls outside the supermarket and generally try to be a responsible member of society. Finally, as I began what I hoped would be a nice, long, relaxing cruise, I was getting what I deserved. Peace. Is that too much to ask for?

Then one truck and another passed by me so close as to nearly knock me from my bike. Quick, dodge that dead opossum! (Wasn’t that here last week, too?) Broken glass and other debris pushed me out into the road where I narrowly escaped becoming a hood ornament for people too eager to get to their office and surf the Web. There were odors I would rather not know, bugs, dust and exhaust that I couldn’t help but inhale. Grave sites checkered the hillside and gave me caution and pause. Even the wind pushing against me seemed to beg my frustration.

This wasn’t working, so I veered off Forest Lawn through the quiet streets of the Rancho and headed for home unfulfilled. As I passed the park with a giant purple dinosaur for a slide, I saw balloons trapped in the telephone wires, remnants of some child’s birthday party. I sympathized with those balloons. As I approached home, I felt gypped. I tried to escape for just a little while, find some peace, and could not get there. So, I continued right past my house and headed through more sleepy streets, avoiding main roads like Buena Vista and Olive. My goal: the Chandler Bikeway.

I’d say it was about 6:30 a.m. when I finally hit the path and started my journey to the east. The San Fernando Mountains seemed oddly majestic and awe-inspiring in the morning haze. I’ve seen this before at the base of the Sierra Nevada or the Rockies. I’d just never seen our local mountains look like this before.

There was an early-morning dew on the grass and plants all around. A soft mist blanketed everything. The dawning sun just cresting the hills ahead of me sparkled fresh light off the landscape like floating crystals. The light reflected especially brightly off the painted lines of the bike path marking the lanes.

I knew that in a few minutes, the sun would move on and the particular intensity of the refracting sunlight would disappear, perhaps never to be seen exactly like this ever again.

I looked around and saw bikers and walkers and dog-walkers, fast, slow and stationary, making their way along this bright path. And I was struck by something I had never realized before. The Chandler Bikeway is crooked.

It is a scribble, a squiggle if you will, through our city. Not a straight and perfect path that I guess I had always envisioned it was. And in that imperfection, I found a kind of perfect peace.

Isn’t it interesting how we can cruise along in life thinking one thing, and in an instant, have that preconception shattered? Perhaps that “too good to be true” mortgage you may have gotten into a couple of years ago?

That smell in Griffith Park is feces. Manure. But what makes that is ponies. Ponies! And ponies make little kids smile and laugh, which makes me smile and laugh. That may be a dead and flattened opossum ahead, but overhead is a flock of exotic parakeets — yes, wild parakeets in Burbank! Their collective chirping sounds like a thousand marbles colliding.

Sometimes there is road work and potholes and exhaust along our ride, walkers in the bike lane and bikers in the walk lane. But there will always be that one old man with his walker, slowly making his way along the path at his own pace, stopping to chat with anyone and everyone willing to take a moment and enjoy good company. He looks like he has more stories to tell than I do mistakes in my life.

Beyond the smells, the garbage and the traffic, there will always be carousels, fountains, ponies and good people willing to share a crooked path with one another.

The straight path to a comfortable and happy life, the straight shot to heaven or salvation or just plain contentedness is real. And it is easy, but only in the decision to actually take the path. In practice, the path is not straight or easy.

There will be obstacles, stumbling blocks, broken glass, dead opossums and foul odors. Sin, if that’s your bag. We can choose only to see obstacles or we can choose to see hope. We can choose to slow down a little, walk together or move out of one another’s way politely. We can choose to do in our hearts what we know is right rather than alienate and demonize one another with rhetoric, rules and restrictions.

Choose to argue or choose to get along. It is not a straight path. But it is our only path.

PATRICK CANEDAY, Burbank

Published Burbank Leader, Wednesday, November 12, 2008
MAILBAG: Path is no picnic for bicyclists

This is in response to John Gaskill’s "Bike speed limit not required" Community Commentary in the Nov. 5 Burbank Leader.

I wholeheartedly agree with Gaskill’s commentary. When I first read about the Chandler Bikeway being proposed several years ago, I thought, "What a wonderful alternative to other options for riding my bicycle while enhancing the beauty of the neighborhood along Chandler Boulevard."

The other alternatives being: the potentially unsafe bike routes on city streets, the trash-strewn Los Angeles River bike path and unsafe bike routes through Griffith Park.

Riding a bike on the Chandler Bikeway is not a rewarding or enjoyable experience; I, like Gaskill, have had to revert back to other places to ride my bike in order to get some exercise.

I have experienced all the pitfalls that he has mentioned and more.

The things that caused me to abandon my attempts to use the bikeway were people standing in the pedestrian lane with their dog’s leash strung across the bike lanes while the dogs were on the grass or in the flower beds on the other side, or a large dog lying across both bike lanes with its owners scratching its belly.

On a recent Sunday morning, I had to leave the bikeway into the grass to keep from being attacked by two large dogs that, although on leashes, could not be controlled by their master.

One recent evening just before dusk, a small child accompanied by an adult was sitting on one of the bike lanes playing with a remote-controlled toy car.

Other than punish the bikers for riding on the bikeway, the city should require all bikeway users to obey the posted signs, know and use commonly accepted walking and biking etiquette and common courtesy without the policing that, it seems, will eventually be required.

FRED CASE, Burbank

Published Burbank Leader, Wednesday, November 12, 2008
COMMUNITY COMMENTARY: We can’t undo evolution of bike lane

In his Nov. 5 Community Commentary about the Chandler Bikeway ("Bike speed limit not required"), John Gaskill makes a number of assertions, most of which are wrong. Instead of a long fact-versus-fiction list, I'll say this:

The Chandler Bikeway is a dangerous place. Its very design and creation guaranteed that. There are two primary reasons:

One, it invites and encourages a diverse and concentrated group of users, some of whom are traveling much faster than the others, and this creates an inevitable intermixing and colliding of the groups.

And two, although the place is called a "Bikeway" the lanes are in the pathway to indicate use — not command it. No law requires people to stay between certain lines. The plan assumed goodwill and cooperation, which was pre-designed by the meandering shape, the soft curves with park-like lawns and trees that suggest a place of leisurely enjoyment, slow comfortable pace and social interaction — not speed. It assumed that speed-cyclists would stay in the street where they belonged and always were.

Gaskill himself disclosed the true purpose and use of the pathway when he said he was driven from it "by increases in the number of pedestrians walking three abreast...; groups of people standing and conversing...; cruiser bicyclists riding in groups of two and three abreast...; roller-bladers and scooter pushers...; and last but not least, families attempting to teach young children how to ride bicycles with training wheels."

Yes, he's right. The place has evolved, and the groups he listed demonstrate the current primary use. He complained that each of the groups was not paying attention or was in his space, but the very design of the place has encouraged both a wandering mind and step. And, besides, it seems bicycle riders are fewer in number than walkers, and far fewer than all combined non-cyclists. Gaskill's lament is similar to that of a homeowner who sees his neighborhood becoming commercial: Frustration, anger and ultimately sadness are all understandable; nevertheless, the genie will not go back in the bottle, and his practical options are to adapt or move.

Having bicycles and pedestrians in close proximity is inherently dangerous. That's why the city has made it illegal for bicyclists to ride on many sidewalks.

A general rule of the road says that with intermixed modes of locomotion (cars, bicycles and pedestrians; boats and swimmers, etc.), the faster must watch for, and defer to, the slower. And, in fact, there is a law that prohibits "reckless bicycle riding," which would encompass traveling at unsafe speed for any given location or conditions.

But, again, the name "Bikeway" has created a problem. It has given some bicycle users a sense of ownership to it, which has led them to ride way too fast; to become enraged at walkers, toddlers, dogs, roller-bladers, or others who drift into "their" lanes; and to put other users and themselves in great danger.

Gaskill says he "use[s] the bike path multiple times each week in pursuit of fitness," that he would "ride...24 to 30 miles" at a time, and that in an accident with a skateboarder, the collision occurred despite his "hard braking [that] could not stop me in time, even though I had previously slowed to about 10 mph." All this, if not the accident itself, suggests that Gaskill rides the pathway at speeds that are excessive and unsafe.

Here are ways to greatly reduce the danger on the pathway:

Generally, the bicyclists must slow way down — willfully or otherwise — and the signs should be changed from "Bikeway" to "Pathway" or "Multi-access Path."

Bicyclists on the pathway must use sound warnings (bells, horns) when nearing someone from behind.

Bicyclists who wish to ride faster than is safe among other pathway users must ride in the street, not on the pathway.

If complaints and/or accidents continue, then the city must force bicyclists using the pathway to stay within safe speeds (possible methods are another discussion), and if they can't, then, ironically, bicyclists will have to be removed from the pathway altogether.

If the pathway is not made safe — and soon — then, at some time, there will be an accident in which a speeding bicyclist kills a toddler or a dog, or turns a plain ordinary person into a quadriplegic. Then, after the bicyclist (certainly not the slower mover) and the city are successively sued and pay out massive damages, voila, a solution will be found.

ROBERT PHIPPS, Burbank

Published Burbank Leader, Wednesday, November 5, 2008
COMMUNITY COMMENTARY: Bike speed limit not required

I suggest that Pamela Lang’s recent call in this space for a speed limit on the Chandler Bikeway (“Bikeway needs a speed limit,” Community Commentary, Oct. 15) represents a mistaken understanding of what the bike path is about and what it may do for us all in the longer run.

The bikeway is not a sidewalk, even though it looks like one. It is illegal to ride a bicycle on many city sidewalks in Burbank. Sidewalks are reserved for pedestrians. The bikeway is for bicycles, tricycles, unicycles and other person-powered means of wheeled transit. It is divided into three segments by painted lines: two wheeled-traffic lanes for east- and westbound bikes, etc., and one lane for pedestrians, joggers and walking stroller-pushers. Overhead signs at main entry points indicate traffic lane assignments and flows using pictographs. Faded pavement markings restate the overhead signs. I recall that, at one time, there were signs prohibiting skateboards, but they seem to have vanished (sadly).

I use the bike path multiple times each week in pursuit of fitness. In the past, I rode back and forth from Vineland to Mariposa, completing four or five laps for a ride of 24 to 30 miles, but now use the bikeway as a traffic-free zone to and from the Los Angeles River Bikeway. I was driven away by increases in the number of pedestrians walking three abreast in bike lanes; groups of people standing and conversing in the middle of the bike lanes; cruiser bicyclists riding in groups of two and three abreast, oblivious to the traffic lanes and unwilling to ride single-file when opposing traffic approaches; roller-bladers and scooter pushers ignoring their surroundings; and last but not least, families attempting to teach young children how to ride bicycles with training wheels.

While using the bike path, I was once knocked off my bike by a skateboarder traveling in the opposite direction who turned across the lane in front of me without warning and did not bother to look up in spite of my shouts. Hard braking could not stop me in time, even though I had previously slowed to about 10 mph. He was with five other westbound skateboarders, all of whom had moved out of the eastbound lane I was using. I was also nearly felled once by a scooter rider in the pedestrian lane who lost his balance and turned a 360 holding the handlebars while the scooter became airborne like a scythe blade.

In spite of these problems, the bikeway is a space dedicated for the use of bicyclists by the city of Burbank. Most bike riders I see have no problems staying in the bike lanes when others are using the path. Speeding is not really a problem because even the strongest riders achieve only 25 to 30 mph at maximum effort. Many cruiser riders stay in lanes and ride single-file, just as many walkers keep to the pedestrian lane. Courtesy and common sense suffice.

People need to understand that cyclists have the right of way in the bike lanes. When bikes approach, pedestrians should stay in the pedestrian lane or move to the grass.

After all, if the sidewalk along Olive Avenue were full, one would not step into traffic expecting cars to stop. Would they?

The Chandler Bikeway is a “street” for bicyclists. It allows people to commute to work, visit friends, shop, or get out and exercise without worry that some auto or truck driver is going to run them over. Having bike paths encourages bicycle use, saving all of us from more greenhouse gases. Having bike paths helps people stay healthy and get in shape. Placing an artificially low speed limit on the bike path is not the answer.

JOHN GASKILL, Burbank

Published Burbank Leader, Wednesday, October 22, 2008
MAILBAG: Chandler bicyclists aren’t to blame

As a longtime Burbank resident and regular user of the Chandler Bikeway, I was shocked at the Community Commentary by Pamela Lang (“Bikeway needs a speed limit,” Oct. 15) suggesting a “speed limit.”

Having regularly traveled the bikeway, I can safely say I have not encountered any traffic problems.

In fact, it has been the opposite, with bikers always being courteous and giving advanced warning of their approach to pedestrians.

On the rare occasion, I have noticed pedestrians encroaching on the bike side of the path, but by and large, it has always been a very amicable relationship with a mutual respect shown by both parties.

It may be more of a case of the writer having a nervous disposition at the very sight of a biker or roller-blader.

If so, there are quieter and slower-paced walks such as along the sidewalks in the city or the seafront that may be more suited to her.

In the meantime, let us all continue to enjoy the beautiful bikeway in our lovely city without adding another law to the books.

What’s next? A breathing restriction?

ANTHONY KELLY, Burbank

MAILBAG: No need to clamp down on speed

The Burbank Leader published a letter from Pamela Lang (“Bikeway needs a speed limit,” Community Commentary, Wednesday) in which she calls for a speed limit on the Chandler Bikeway.

She cites an accident in which two cyclists collided with a skater as justification for the speed limit.

I know the cyclists well, and have ridden with them on many occasions.

They have ridden literally tens of thousands of miles, and I know them to be careful, courteous and mature. They are not riding recklessly or at excessive speeds.

The cyclists saw the skater approaching from the opposite direction and moved to the right side in single file, as they often do to provide a margin of safety.

Nevertheless, the skater veered across the centerline and collided with them head-on, resulting in a fractured humerus for one cyclist and a fractured collarbone for the other. The skater said she had not seen either of them, and was able to skate away after speaking with those who came to assist. My friends, on the other hand, will require many weeks to heal.

Given the skater’s comments, the accident most likely resulted from inattention and not from excessive speed. These injuries can occur at the speeds of casual cyclists and skaters, especially in a head-on collision.

Inattentive users can create risks for themselves and others. Dogs and small children can dart suddenly across the path, so they need to be closely controlled. For safety’s sake, all who use the path must mind the pavement markings and be alert, aware and courteous. Then everyone can enjoy this multiuse asset to the community.

PAUL NICHOLAS, Burbank

Published Burbank Leader, Saturday, October 18, 2008
MAILBAG: In defense of Chandler cyclists

I guess I’m the exception to the legion of reckless cyclists Pamela Lang has encountered (“Bikeway needs a speed limit,” Community Commentary, Wednesday).

I’ve respectfully and considerately pedaled the length of the Chandler Bikeway on many occasions and agree with her that it is a jewel of a resource of which every Burbank resident should be proud. I consider it one of the finest realizations of an urban bikeway in the region.

But I have to disagree when Pamela generalizes about cyclists’ “sense of ownership that apparently goes with using the bike lanes.” I could say the same thing about the fair share of pedestrians, skaters or joggers (or my favorite: the dog walkers with their pets strung across the path on 15-foot leads) that I’ve encountered either solo or in groups who occupy the bike area with little regard or consideration — and who often grumble after I’m forced to slow down to their speed, repeatedly ring my bike bell and beg their pardon as I pass them. Bikeway entitlement issues aren’t limited to just my form of self-propelled transport.

Pamela may be ready to foot the bill for the law enforcement resources that she wants dedicated to maintaining speed traps focusing on me and my bike, but I think an educational reinforcement is the better and less costly way to go. Rather than speed limits, my suggestion would be to post signage urging everyone to “share, take care and be aware.”

Of course, I offer the above compromise as something of a skeptical outsider — a Los Angeles resident — still shaking my head over Burbank’s decision a couple of years ago to remorselessly kill the planned and budgeted on-street connector route between the Los Angeles River and Chandler bikeways, so it won’t surprise me if I see a radar gun pointed in my direction the next time I have to slow down and alert some wayward walkers that they’re in my way or stop and wait while some dog owner reels Rover in.

WILL CAMPBELL. Los Angeles

Published Burbank Leader,Wednesday, October 15, 2008
COMMUNITY COMMENTARY: Bikeway Needs a Speed Limit

I was on my daily morning walk on the Chandler Bikeway recently when an unfortunate and entirely preventable accident occurred.

A woman roller-blading collided with two bicyclists, one male and one female. This accident was something I, and many other people who frequently use the bikeway, have dreaded and knew would eventually happen.

The Chandler Bikeway is a wonderful and much-appreciated addition to the general ambience of Burbank.

I use it every day, sometimes two or three times a day. In the three years I’ve been using the bikeway, I’ve almost been run over by speeding bicyclists, roller-blading individuals whizzing by and runners paying attention to their cellphones or music devices instead of where they are going.

At the very least, the city of Burbank needs to impose and post a speed limit for bicyclists and those using roller blades, skateboards or any other vehicle on wheels. I have personally witnessed those on bikes passing me at an alarmingly fast speed. I’ve always known that if they hit me, I would be seriously injured.

I have also been yelled at and verbally abused for having the need to step into the bike lane when passing slower- moving pedestrians.

This is a problem that needs to be addressed by the city of Burbank. It’s a problem that I personally have spoken to the Burbank Police Department about on several occasions. I’ve voiced my concerns that the city has advertised the Chandler Bikeway in such a way as to make bicyclists feel entitled to speed on it. At this time, there are no posted speed limits anywhere on the bikeway.

As a pedestrian, I’ve noticed that there is an inequity in the amount of space allotted to runners and walkers, and that allotted to bicyclists. There is absolutely no way a pedestrian can avoid stepping into the bike lane when passing slower-moving pedestrians.

In the last three years, I’ve been verbally abused countless times by others using the bike lanes for simply walking my dog on the grass nearest the bike lanes. There’s a sense of ownership that apparently goes with using the bike lanes, and it has to stop.

I’d like to think most of us use common sense when out in public, as we go about our daily business, when we exercise and when we come into contact with other people.

This was a preventable accident. I don’t want to see anyone else involved in such an accident on the Chandler Bikeway, and I don’t want to be one of the victims of such an accident. A speed limit, some signs and some good old-fashioned common sense and courtesy should solve the problem.

PAMELA LANG, Burbank

Published Burbank Leader, Saturday, February 23, 2008
LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Please observe simple rules on bike path

I’m writing this letter not because I really want to, but because I feel compelled to. And, you’re right, I have nothing better to do. Some simple rules of etiquette for a “walk” — bike path.

1. Keep your dog leashed. It’s not a biker’s fault if he accidentally hits an unleashed dog.
2. Clean up after your dog. Duh.
3. Walkers, the lanes are adequately marked; stay in the proper lane. I guess if it’s Saturday morning, and you’re with the mayor, this rule doesn’t apply.
4. This is not a layman’s practice course. If you must go 50 mph, stay single-file in the proper lane, and upon coming up to a slower rider, yell, “on your left.”
5. If you must talk on your cellphone, remember where you are, and stay in the right lane.
6. Slow bike riders, keep looking over your shoulder and be aware of violators.
7. If you must stop and chit-chat in groups, remember where you’re at and don’t block the lane (I think I’ve been guilty of this a time or two).

It’s a great addition to the city of Burbank, this bike-walk path. Let’s try to observe the rules, and make it the best it can be for everybody.

STEVE URBANOVICH, Burbank

Published Burbank Leader, Wednesday, February 6, 2008, Opinion
LETTER TO THE EDITOR: A Tale of a Man and his Dog

I’ve wanted to write a letter about a man named Mel and his dog Hobo for quite some time.

I met them two years ago when I first moved to Burbank. I walk on the Chandler Pathway each morning, and each morning I see Mel pushing his silver walker with his dog Hobo walking beside him.

Over the past two years, I’ve come to delight in both of them. I’ve come to look forward to seeing them off in the distance, knowing that when I encounter them, Mel would charm me with a pithy comment and Hobo would welcome the love I show her and give me even more love in return.

It’s common knowledge on the pathway that Mel rescued Hobo from the railroad tracks before they were turned into the Chandler Pathway. Mel never put Hobo on a leash.

He carried one on his walker, but Hobo would walk untethered, either a few steps ahead of Mel or a few steps behind him.

When Mel would meet friends along the pathway and stop for a chat, Hobo hunkered down and waited patiently for her walk to resume.

One of the funniest and most endearing things I’ve ever witnessed was when Mel and Hobo would reach the intersection of California Street and Chandler Boulevard each morning. Each time they would stop at the intersection, Mel would wait for the traffic to pass and roll his walker off the curb into the intersection. Walking beside him and only walking on the white painted stripe, would be Hobo.

Why she would only walk on the white stripe, I will never know, but she never walked on the asphalt. Each time I saw this, I marveled at it and secretly, it made me love her more.

I found out on my walk this morning that Mel had to put Hobo down. She stopped eating two weeks week ago and the last time I saw her, she wasn’t feeling well. When I stroked her stomach, I felt a lump and I worried and wondered if I would ever see her again.

I’ve wanted to write this about the two of them because of how special they both are. It saddens me to know I waited too long to write the letter I originally wanted to write. I wanted to honor both of them in life. They matter so much to me and so very much to our community.

You might ask if it’s possible for one beautiful, golden dog to mean so much to so many people. It is possible. I will miss Hobo, Mel will miss Hobo, and others will miss Hobo.

And if in the future, off in the distance, I see Mel pushing his walker with another dog by his side, I’ll be happy for him. But, I know that each time he comes to an intersection, walking unseen on the white painted stripe will be Hobo. I miss you, sweet girl. I love you.

PAMELA LANG, Burbank

Published Burbank Leader, Saturday,October 6, 2007, Opinion
LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Bikeway has its weak points

On Tuesday evening at roughly 6:15 p.m, I turned east onto Chandler Boulevard to see that a clearly confused and extremely flustered woman had driven her car onto the Chandler Bikeway.

It’s no secret that the Chandler Boulevard Bikeway is very popular at that hour, and Tuesday was no exception. Several adults and children were present on the bikeway when she drove onto it.

Although I’m grateful for everyone’s sake that luck was on their side, the situation could easily have turned into a tragedy similar to the Santa Monica Farmer’s Market in 2003.

Folks, to my mind, it should not even be possible for an unauthorized vehicle to enter the bikeway at any point.

I strongly suggest that the city install retractable pillars at each intersection entry point of the Chandler Boulevard Bikeway.

I work at UCLA, and these barriers are used throughout campus to stop the public from driving their cars into restricted areas. The retractable pillars are locked into position and can be unlocked and retracted in

A solution like this would allow authorized city vehicles to enter the bikeway when necessary but would provide a barrier against people accidentally entering the bikeway.

Pillars like these could have saved 11 lives in Santa Monica. Tuesday was a near-miss, so please, let’s not wait for the tragedy to happen before some action is taken.

Patricia Rough, Burbank

Published Burbank Leader, Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Mayor asks residents to join her on weekly stroll to promote a healthier lifestyle and open communication. By Jeremy Oberstein

About a dozen residents kicked off their weekend Saturday morning with Mayor Marsha Ramos during her new, weekly Walk with the Mayor.

The three-mile round-trip walk along Chandler Bikeway affords Ramos the opportunity to get to know residents and promote the city’s efforts toward maintaining a healthier lifestyle.

“We are all here to get healthy,” she said as she and fellow walkers shared the narrow path with joggers, bicyclists and strollers. “Walking is one of the easiest and most inexpensive ways to incorporate physical activity into our lives. Plus, this is part of our push toward more pedestrian-friendly enhancements [in Burbank].”

The Chandler Bikeway is a two-mile path from Mariposa Street to Clybourn Avenue on what was an abandoned railroad track. In 1991, Los Angeles and Burbank jointly purchased the median and agreed to refurbish the dilapidated property.

Joining Ramos during the second of her weekly walks were local residents and city officials.

Though constituents could have taken the opportunity to discuss city matters with their mayor, conversations between Ramos and walkers were more friendly than civic.

Burbank resident Hilda Feters spoke with Ramos about her weekend plans and why she enjoys the weekly stroll. “It’s a very good workout,” she said. “It’s very pleasant and nice to meet people from the community.”

Burbank Water and Power board member Bob Olson spoke with Ramos about the city’s decision to build the pathway.

“This is great,” he said. “It’s the best three miles this city has ever spent money on.”

Asked whether his participation was compulsory as a city employee, Olson laughed. “No, no. I’m just here for the exercise.”

Others there for exercise included June Musurlian, the 3-year-old daughter of Peter Musurlian, a senior producer for the city’s government access channel.

“Is exercise important?” he asked her as they strode along.

“Um, yes!” she shouted.

Musurlian took the opportunity to walk because “it’s a nice incentive to spend some quality time with my daughter.”

And that is what Saturday morning was all about — healthy living, Ramos said

“The goal is to get as many people out here as possible,” she said.

“We want kids, adults, dogs, everyone. We want people to get healthy, and it starts with me. You have to walk the walk to be able to talk the talk.”