We, the undersigned request that the Sonoma City Council revisit its decision not to implement Class II bike lanes on West Spain Street. As residents of the City of Sonoma Valley and its environs, we recognize the following:

1. Cycling is an activity that advances the health of our community members. 
   
2. Cycling is a carbon-free form of transportation that is accessible to almost all members of community. 
   
3. Twelve bicycles can be parked in the space it takes to park one car; thus every bicycle that is ridden to a business leaves room for another car or up-to 11 other bicycles.
   
4. Too many of Sonoma's streets are designed almost exclusively for motorized vehicle transport and as such do meet the objectives of the 2008 Complete Streets Act. 
   
5. West Spain Street offers the only viable East-West transport for residents who use a bicycle within the city's central commercial zone. 
   
6. The "Bike Path" is not conducive to moving traffic within the commercial zone. 
   
7. Many of those who work hospitality ride bicycles and have to ride home after dark and the "bike path" is not safe to ride at night as it has no lighting. 
   
8. The "Bike Path" is a misnomer as it is actually a multi-use path that can prove to be more of an obstacle path than a bike path at certain times of the day. 
   
9. West Spain is a critical component that ties together the city's emerging network of bike paths, lanes and routes as designed in the city's new Bike Plan.
   
10. The parking on West Spain St, as revealed by the city's own investigation, is very lightly utilized every day of the week and the reduction in parking would not have a significant impact on residents or businesses.
    

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