Bike lane on Boyson not a safe decision

To the editor:

The city of Cedar Rapids has decided to put a bike lane on Boyson Road. The bike lane would extend from C Avenue east to connect to the Boyson Trail. In the future, the bike lane also will connect from C Avenue west to the Cedar Valley trail, but that cannot be accomplished without widening Boyson west of Council Street and no planning date was given for that.

After concerns from some residents, speed on Boyson, minimal buffer between vehicle and bike, and that you will no longer be able to park on Boyson, the city still finds that this is a safe and viable decision. The city is aware that Boyson Road has speed issues. Also, that this will interfere with the pickup of elementary students from Bowman Woods Elementary School.

A speed test was done by the city at 11 a.m. on a weekday and found that the traffic was light and not concerning. It was not done during the early morning hours as people head to work or early evening as they head home. Apparently most people bike mid morning. I'm not against bikers or bike lanes, just not on Boyson Road. I realize the city would like to connect these two bike paths, but without planning for the remainder of the road and all the known hazards concerning Boyson, this is not a safe or smart decision. Makes a person wonder why they are going through with it.

Susan Horne

Cedar Rapids