Community Meetings
In the fall of 2009, we conducted five community outreach meetings for the Safe and Healthy Streets Plan. The following is the flyer for those meetings as well as notes from them. The information gathered as these meetings will be used to help draft the Safe and Healthy Streets Plan.
Detailed notes from the Safe & Healthy Streets Community Meeting, October 8 2009 at the Central Library.
Attendees were asked questions for discussion and were also asked to write some responses on index cards.
Index card: Write down one thought you’d like to share tonight. Why are you here?
• Pedestrians take too many risks in Glendale
• Visibility – power in numbers.
• There are far more pedestrians and bicyclists in Glendale already, than in many other U.S. cities.
• Relatives visiting from out of town have remarked on the need to begin, as drivers, looking for pedestrians – there are so many of them.
• To support bicyclists in Glendale, for their safety.
• This is a great walking/biking town but it seems there are no rules to the road.
• Enhance the ability to traverse the city on foot or bike. Both east-west and north-south, one inevitably runs into discontinuities.
• To advocate for sharrows on two-lane (four-lane?) streets, such as Broadway, Verdugo and Central.
• Reasons to get out of your car.
• Glendale is considered dangerous to walk, bike and even ride in. I emphasize improvements for cycling, but I would like to see improvements in bicycling and walking conditions.
• Share the Road education.
• I came here tonight because I’ve heard that there is a good chance that my street (Verdugo Rd.) will eventually have a bike path [lane]. I want to do what I can to make this happen.
What do you think is good or bad about biking/walking in Glendale?
• Dangerous drivers. Aggressive drivers.
• Lack of enforcement.
• Drivers only focused on driving – do not see bicyclists or pedestrians.
• Lack of awareness, distractions. Drivers using cell phones or texting.
• People don’t know the rules.
• Drivers do not know how to share the road with bicyclists.
• Bike riders need to be aware that drivers do not acknowledge cyclists.
• We need better driver awareness, education.
• Some cyclists have encountered aggressive drivers on a regular basis, others have not.
• Many cyclists expect aggressive behavior from drivers. Some have quit cycling due to this.
• Some cyclists do not adhere to the rules of the road.
What are good/bad locations to walk/bike in Glendale?
Pedestrians
• Most of downtown is bad.
• Drivers crowd the crosswalk and jump the red light.
• Need serious driver education.
• Difficult to get across Glenoaks and the 134 freeway.
• Montrose Shopping Park is good for pedestrians.
• The Americana is very nice when it’s not crowded.
Cyclists
• It’s difficult where the three streets come together before Brand Park.
• Broadway and Adams – the intersection is poorly synchronized.
• East-bound Glenoaks at Brand is bad due to the right turn only lane.
What would you like to change about biking/walking in Glendale?
Pedestrians
• Put the pedestrian phase of traffic lights on permanent recall and let the cars activate the light.
• Put the stop lines 10 feet back from the crosswalks (like they do in London).
• Want to be able to actuate the signal without having to wait for a car to do it. (Pedestrian buttons that work).
• Slower speed limits. Speeding is a huge issue.
• Need to strike a better balance between pedestrians, bicyclists and cars.
• Enforcement gap can be helped by technology (radar, speed enforcement cameras).
• Design changes can make the streets better (median on Glenwood road is helping).
• Advertising in Glendale urging people to find/use alternate transportation.
• Beeline is undermarketed.
• Annual bike/ped event where the streets are closed.
• More community walks and rides.
• Walk to school day needs better marketing, should be done city-wide.
• Think bigger.
Cyclists
• Would like to feel safe riding by myself and with my child anywhere in Glendale.
• Would like bike lanes on every street, even if it means eliminating parking.
• Sharrows on all streets.
• Bike sensors at every traffic signal.
• Slowing down cars. Lower speed limits. Focus on slowing speed around schools.
• Increased enforcement.
• Sharrows on streets with two lanes in each direction.
• Speed bumps on downtown streets.
• Look at the balance of accommodating all transportation modes in the city safely.
• Need to provide policies that work with our existing budgetary constraints.
• Street design changes are more effective than enforcement.
• Market the beeline better.
• Focus on bicycle policy and prioritize bicycling versus moving vehicles.
• Heavily advertise “Bike to Work Day”.
• Obtain more accurate data about bicycling and average vehicle ridership surveys.
• More bike racks throughout the city in more visible locations, including parking garages.
Index card: List three concerns you have about walking or biking in Glendale.
• Dying, finding a bike rack, and a bike lane on San Fernando. Also, earphones, cultural differences, and drag-racing.
• Traffic signals sometimes do not detect bicycles when they should (hopefully AB1581 will change this). Signal timings for pedestrians – especially outside of Brand Blvd. downtown – could be more equitable. City of Glendale still has a bicycle license ordinance on the books – let’s get rid of it.
• Motorists obeying traffic laws. Pedestrians obeying traffic laws. Pedestrians not taking responsibility for personal safety while crossing streets.
• Traffic – speeding and lack of enforcement. Stopping at stop signs. Stopping at red light before turning.
• Aggressive drivers. Safe routes and sharing the road with drivers. Transversibility.
• It’s too dangerous to ride a bike on the street! Drivers are too aggressive. Pedestrians sometimes cross without looking or making eye contact with drivers.
• Safety. Amenities. Support.
• Scale of projects and thinking of the city is too small. Cycling and walking is dangerous throughout the city – most work to date seems to be downtown. No talk about effecting the City Plan to improve cycling.
• More public service announcements about cycling and walking safety.
• Fast cars. No bike lanes. Reckless drivers.
• That there aren’t enough bicyclists. That we don’t talk to each other. That there’s the threat/dilemma of whether to be in the road or on the sidewalk at any given moment. Legality doesn’t always equal safety. Will a cop bust me for being safer on the sidewalk?
What obstacles exist that you feel prevent you from walking or biking in Glendale?
Pedestrians
• At almost every intersection, the pedestrian is a second class citizen – too much delay.
• Fear of being hit. Crime is not a big concern.
• Topography – hills.
• Distance – some places are too far.
• Weather.
• The lack of public transportation.
• Crossing the 134 freeway.
Cyclists
• Main issue is the risk of being hit by motor vehicles, especially when children ride alone.
• Getting a ticket for riding on the sidewalk , even if the sidewalk is clear and safer to ride than the street.
• Topography in North Glendale – too hilly.
• Distance between points of interest for daily errands.
• Crossing the 134 freeway.
• Do not feel comfortable riding in business districts.
• Lack of bike racks and inconveniently located bike racks.
Index card: List one great thing about walking or biking in Glendale.
• No drive-by shootings. The drivers aren’t very good, but face it, it’s mayberry.
• Beautiful neighborhoods to see and experience.
• The weather is excellent – few days are unseasonable for outdoor activity.
• Getting to experience the neighborhoods, seeing homes, trees, etc.
• The varied topography.
• I think certain routes could be prioritized for biking and walking. Even at the Americana (Harvard and Brand) there are lots of pedestrians and there is only one crosswalk. Such routes could happen at less populous routes.
• For biking – that it’s legal to ride on sidewalks in residential neighborhoods. For walking – beautiful homes and yards and a low crime rate.
• Trees!
• Walking the residential streets can be great, especially in North Glendale, Verdugo Woodlands, and Kenneth Road. Biking has many recreational options, especially Ethel, Verdugo Road from Wabasso to Sparr, and Kenneth Road.
• Nice neighborhoods, trees, etc.
• I like the lighted crosswalks.
• Glendale is green, breezy, and cycling is just as quick as a car.
What actions do you see the city has taken to improve conditions in Glendale for walking/biking?
Pedestrians
• Residential areas are very nice.
• There are a lot of trees.
• Lighted crosswalks.
• Safe Routes to School efforts.
Cyclists
• Bike racks on Beeline buses
• Bike lanes on Glenoaks.
• Bike racks for parking bikes on Brand downtown and in Kenneth Village.
• We’re seeing good inertia to move forward with bike and ped friendly policies and community involvement.
Detailed notes from the Safe & Healthy Streets Community Meeting at the Brand Library Recital Hall on October 21, 2009.
Attendees were once again asked questions and their responses were recorded on poster pads. Attendees were also given index cards to write on. The focus of this meeting was primarily on “central” Glendale which we defined as all areas north of the 134 freeway and south of Sparr Heights, Montecito Park, Oakmont.
Blue index card: What do you want to share tonight, why are you here?
• Better policing of drivers required.
• More signs with speed limit and things to slow down cars.
• Here because I want the area to be ped/bike friendly but want them to be aware and responsible towards others. River areas could be improved if made ped/bike friendly and accessible. All need to be very safe and visible.
• I support the creation of a bike lane on Verdugo Road. Bicycle/General safety.
• I ride in or through Glendale almost every day.
• I support pedestrian and bicyclist improvement for Glendale – to provide input as a 13 year resident and with 3 years of car-free experience. I support a walking map of Glendale.
• We need a pedestrian and bike only bridge from Glendale into Griffith Park!
• I came today because I’d like to be proud of my city by knowing that Glendale is working to be safer for pedestrians and bicyclists (especially since Glendale drivers are the worst).
• Need program to train kids on safe cycling (Netherlands has fewer injuries/death than US). Need more bike lanes/paths and sharrows.
• North to south bike lanes from south Glendale to northwest Glendale, alternative to San Fernando Road. Make San Fernando safer for cyclists.
• I’m here to support the Safe and Healthy Streets initiative. I want to be part of the solution to make the streets a safe place for everyone. I’d like to see more enforcement from the police and an increase in fines to support the police presence.
• I think Glendale, especially Glendale Ave and surrounding areas is the most dangerous place to walk because a lot of drivers do not pay attention to marked crosswalks.
• We’re here because we think LA County should be much more bicycle friendly and we would like to support efforts to make it that way.
What streets/areas are good for walking? Why?
• Hermosita, Bonita near Casa Verdugo, Kenneth, Grandview, Bel Aire, Garden, Rancho area near Betty Davis Park. Also Brand (north of freeway), Cumberland.
• Number of pedestrians has increased in northwest Glendale. Great trees and sidewalks in the area.
• Time of day is relevant. In the evenings, people come out to walk. There is more potential for accidents during the morning/evening rush hour.
• Pacific, Duran, Stocker, and by Casa Adobe are good.
• No lighting on Grandview coming up the hill from Glenoaks. Brand Park is also very dark at night – intimidating as a pedestrian.
• Walking from northwest Glendale to downtown is good using Central and Brand.
What streets/areas are bad for walking? Why?
• Glendale Ave. south of Colorado to Los Feliz – people drive very fast. Dangerous for pedestrians.
• Verdugo north of college – drivers drive too fast, especially between morning and evening rush hour.
• College south to Monterrey is tough and it should be beautiful.
• No good access to Griffith Park.
• Glenoaks – a lot of speeding motorists, no sidewalks between Central and Pacific.
• Glenwood from Sonora to the schools – everyone is “flying” to get to Highland.
• Northwest is used heavily for driving instruction and DMV testing – hazardous.
• Group is unanimously interested in better access to Griffith Park.
• Verdugo Road, north of Wabasso – the sidewalks drop out. Have to drive to Glorietta Park.
• Montrose & Honolulu is difficult to get to from Verdugo & La Crescenta if you are walking.
• Pacific – sidewalks are narrow from the 134 freeway to Colorado.
Central and Stocker ranks highly for car/pedestrian collisions? Why do you think this is?
• Central is wide, no median, dense population.
• Ralphs and the surrounding area is a magnet for pedestrians (bank, 31 flavors).
• Central curves further south and Stocker is also a busy street.
• Central and Stocker is the first traffic light as you are coming down the hill.
• Drivers coming from the freeway are still going fast, even after they’ve left the freeway.
What streets/areas are bad for biking?
• Verdugo Road is bad. Risk of getting doored is high in the area north of GCC. Drivers are also going too fast.
• There is a lack of bicycle access to Griffith Park and the bike path.
• The area around the DMV is hazardous since there are a lot of drivers learning to drive or being tested in the area.
• I do not ride in the neighborhood due to speeding traffic on the large streets in northwest Glendale and I do not ride on the single family streets due to on-street parking and the lack of space.
• I don’t like biking on streets in Glendale; I would like a dedicated path.
• San Fernando is not so good, but it’s a direct route.
• Brand Blvd. on weekdays due to angled parking.
• Sonora is rough due to narrowness, but it is commonly used.
• There are no good transition points to get into Glendale by bike.
• Western Ave. is bad for biking.
• Louise between Stocker and Glenoaks is very narrow, bad interface with cars and bikes.
• Central and Stocker is a hard intersection.
What streets/areas are good for biking? Where do you like to ride?
• It would be great if we connected to the LA River bikeway.
• The Chandler bike path in Burbank is a great example of what we need.
• I like to ride Mountain to Verdugo to Montrose then down Canada.
• I like Hermosita to Country Club to Canada.
• I like to ride to the LA River (but walk my bike to the bridge). I also like riding to the Ranchos in Burbank.
• Glenoaks – it’s nice and wide. Kenneth Rd. – low traffic.
• Flower Street all the way to Olive in Burbank.
• Brand north of the freeway is easier to ride than Central or Louise.
• The north/south portion of Chevy Chase is good to ride.
Looking at the Bike Plan map of proposed bike routes, what do you think?
• Should make San Fernando a bike path [route].
• Kenneth Road is good for a route.
• I’m concerned about Louise as a bike route; it’s narrow and not safe for cyclists.
• Bicyclists should be a higher priority on Brand.
• Jackson and Geneva are possible alternatives to Louise; however, Jackson is scary north of the 134, especially during rush hour.
• No room for sharrows on Louise and Jackson
• Monterey is a potential connection to Brand.
• Nobody rides Brand or Central to cross the freeway, use side streets to cross, even if they are tight.
• Highland is also very narrow – dangerous.
• Brand is very steep north of Stocker – Central or Valley View are better alternatives.
• The bike route/lanes should be northbound on Verdugo and southbound on Canada. Need to reduce speed on the Canada/Verdugo stretch, suggest traffic calming measures there.
What do you think of a walking map of Glendale?
• Great idea! Lots of great places to walk.
• Seniors love to walk, but need places to sit down. Make sure there is more street furniture.
• We need to stress furniture and shade as well as evening lights for pedestrians.
• Barcelona is a great example for us. Gives priority to pedestrians and cyclists, then motorists.
Additional comments.
• We need better pedestrian access to the Amtrak/Metrolink station.
• There should be bike lanes [or a path] along the Verdugo wash.
• Close down some streets once a month for pedestrians and bicyclists. Could close half of Glenoaks or Brand.
• Create a pedestrian mall on Brand from the 134 freeway south.
• In Germany they have reduced 2 lane streets to 1 ½ lanes. Bicyclists, pedestrians, a cars traveling in a certain direction get priority.
• Reduce on-street parking on residential streets that are single-family homes with driveways – could eliminate on-street parking entirely or just one side. Use the extra space for bike lanes.
Red index card: Is there anything else you’d like to tell us that we haven’t already discussed?
• Consider Brand as a pedestrian and bicycle boulevard.
• Consider a bike lane southbound on Canada and northbound on Verdugo.
• Verdugo wash could be a Class I bike and pedestrian route.
• What about pedestrian, bicyclist and driving education?
• Verdugo Road was striped with a bike lane several years ago and after just a few weeks it was re-striped, eliminating the bike lane – how do we prevent proposed bike lanes from being reverted to vehicular traffic lanes only?
• More bike lanes please.
• More bicycle parking. None here at the Brand Library?
Detailed notes from the Safe & Healthy Streets Community Meeting at the Pacific Park Community Center on October 29, 2009.
Attendees were again asked questions and their responses were recorded on poster pads. Attendees were also given index cards to write on at the beginning and the end of the meeting. The focus of this meeting was primarily on “south” Glendale which we defined as all areas south of the 134 freeway.
Blue index card: What do you want to share tonight, why are you here?
• Would like to see wider access ramps onto sidewalks, since shorter ramps force the user to go further into the street (into on-coming traffic).
• Need traffic police enforcement between Riverdale Ave. and Chevy Chase Drive on Columbus Ave. since there are no stop signs or speed limit signs posted.
• We live in the 400 block of West Windsor Rd. between Columbus Ave. and San Fernando Rd. Windsor Rd. is a major artery to/from Central Ave. and San Fernando Rd. and drivers tend to speed through Windsor. Our family and neighbors would like speed bumps installed on Windsor Rd. since drivers speed through our street at all times of the day.
• If the streets and sidewalks are safer for me in my wheelchair, they would be safer for everyone!
What are the good streets/areas for walking in south Glendale?
• Many of the streets are good for walking. There is shade and there are a lot of local markets. But, you need to be careful. Drivers don’t watch out for pedestrians.
• There are speed bumps on Patterson near Fremont Park which have slowed down speeders.
• Cyclists in this area are very conscientious when riding on the sidewalk.
What are the bad places for walking?
• Columbus Ave. because there are speeding motorists.
• The 400 block of Windsor is a cut-through from San Fernando to Central. There are no stop signs.
• Pacific is scary.
• This neighborhood (around Pacific Park) is not great for walking.
• Cyclists sometimes use the sidewalk in an unsafe manner for pedestrians.
• There are problems on Glendale Ave. for people in wheelchairs, especially near Trader Joe’s.
• Some ramps on City streets are too steep for wheelchair users.
• I was “tapped” by a motorist at Sonora and San Fernando Rd.
• The crosswalk by the Armenian church on Central (Lomita or Chestnut), the cars stop in the crosswalk. Cars in the crosswalk are a problem, especially if they are blocking the curb ramp.
• At Brand and Los Feliz the pedestrian crossing light is too short. I saw an old man with a walker get stuck in the middle of the intersection and I helped him the rest of the way across the street.
• Some streets are too wide with no median for safety.
• At Cypress and San Fernando Rd. the pedestrian light is not long enough.
• Curb ramps are centered facing into the intersection and they are too steep. You are dumped into the street, not into the crosswalk. Chevy Chase and Central is an example of this. Also Windsor and Central.
• I have a problem as a wheelchair user when cars in driveways block the sidewalk. It’s the same problem for pedestrians. It happens mostly in residential areas. This is a frequent problem at the cultural center on Riverdale. They park their cars in a manner that blocks the sidewalk.
• Drivers exiting driveways pay no attention to pedestrians on the sidewalk.
• There’s a big need to educate drivers.
• Glenoaks between Pacific and Brand has no sidewalk.
• I would like more law enforcement to take care of speeders.
• Cerritos near the train station is not well lit.
• There is no crosswalk into the parking lot; no pedestrian way in (at the other entrances).
• You cannot cross Brand at Chestnut. You have to go to Maple or Lomita. This forces you to jaywalk. I need to be able to cross at Brand and Chestnut to go home.
What are your thoughts about bicycling in south Glendale?
• Cyclists are more careful around pedestrians than the motorists are, although many cyclists ride on the sidewalks in south Glendale.
• Bike lanes need to be painted in a more reflective paint to be more visible at night.
• It’s hard to see bike riders at night. The lighting in general is not good in south Glendale.
• Education on driver, bicyclist, and pedestrian etiquette is very crucial.
• Is there anything that can be done to expand the mention of bicycling in the DMV manual or DMV regulations?
• Many attendees expressed being generally nervous about bicycling on the roads in south Glendale.
• Many cyclists ride in south Glendale as their main form of transportation. Many are going to and from work. Lanes should go to places of employment.
What are the good places to ride a bicycle?
• The residential areas with stop signs. California, Adams, Lexington, Wilson.
• Chevy Chase in some parts.
• Glenoaks around Highland.
What are the bad places to ride?
• Colorado Street. It’s hard to ride with lots of obstructions, it’s narrow, and the road width isn’t consistent.
• San Fernando Road. There are too many cars, high speeds, many potholes, lots of trucks.
• Glendale Ave. Some potholes. A big pothole at Patterson.
• Glenoaks between Central and Brand, south side, the right lane becomes very narrow and there’s no sidewalk.
• Broadway and Pacific. There is a triangle median on the northwest corner that makes bicycling a challenge.
What do you think of a walking map of Glendale?
• I like the idea of walking maps. You could do a history walk, a shopping walk, an exercise walk. You could have it both online and a paper version.
What do you think of the routes proposed on the Glendale bike plan?
• I don’t like riding on Verdugo. If riding on Verdugo, there should be a bike lane.
• We need some dedicated bike paths. Or some area where you can ride protected from cars.
• Could we host an event to close down a street so people can walk/ride bikes on the street? (Near Fremont park would be possible).
Is there anything we’ve missed? Anything else to improve upon in south Glendale?
• More law enforcement needed. Too many aggressive drivers.
• Problems with drivers racing through red lights – near Jewel City Bowl.
• Better lighting near the train station for pedestrians.
• Brand Blvd. need to make medians accessible for pedestrians to cross the street.
• Need to keep the streets cleaner.
Red Index card: Please tell us anything else you’d like us to know.
• Seriously, on my bike I consider myself a car. I want to get to my destination as fast as possible, so I take all major roads – some are easier than others. Glenoaks, San Fernando can be rough. I never take Glendale south of Broadway. Never – Broadway west of Brand. Los Feliz into LA and Glendale into Silverlake – also a bit hairy.
• I find that when bicyclists ride on the sidewalk (which they should not be on in the first place) that they are not courteous. They are dangerous because they do not honk their horns or give a warning of some kind when they pass the pedestrians that are also walking on the sidewalks. I suppose someone will have to get killed first before there is enforcement of bicyclists (and skateboarders) not riding on the sidewalks.
• Bikeway master plan does not have East/West links from East Glendale to recreational trails along the LA River and Griffith Park. How to get across? Also, just want to say that Glendale is the most walkable and bikeable place I’ve ever lived. In particular, I feel comfortable walking here because there are so many people out walking too! Even late at night (in my neighborhood in east Glendale) it feels relatively safe to walk. Lighting is very important too.
Detailed notes from the Safe & Healthy Streets Community Meeting at the Sparr Heights Community Center on November 4, 2009.
Attendees were once again asked questions and their responses were recorded on poster pads. Attendees were also given index cards to write on. The focus of this meeting was primarily on “north” Glendale which we defined as all areas north of the Verdugo Woodlands area, but all areas of Glendale were open for consideration.
Blue index card: What do you want to share tonight, why are you here?
• Tour de Glendale: a cycling event that will promote cycling within the City of Glendale, promote health, make the community aware of the cycling/bike lanes, and raise money to benefit charity.
• Education for drivers, pedestrians, cyclists. “Share the Road” walking map/walking tours. Safety at schools – encourage schools to support walking and cycling to school. Many schools do not encourage cycling.
• As we encourage kids and families to walk to school, let’s be sure it’s safe to do so (speeding, stopping, crosswalks, sidewalks, visibility…) See especially the Colina entrance to Verdugo Woodlands Elementary.
• Although I don’t live in Glendale, I work for the city, thus pedestrian and biker safety is of concern to me. From personal experience, I think driving in “north” Glendale is a little confusing. This drivers’ confusion may lead to unsafe driving, which may put bikers/pedestrians in danger. Not sure what solution would work for this problem, but maybe reducing the speed limit or making traffic signs more legible or clear.
What are the good places for walking in north Glendale?
• Honolulu (Montrose Shopping Park) – pedestrian culture, traffic is slowed by narrow streets. There are shops and restaurants.
• I don’t walk to Montrose because there’s no sidewalk to get there.
• Canada Blvd. is good. I often run from GCC to CV Park.
• Canada Blvd. finally has a sidewalk (it didn’t use to). There is so much traffic on Canada and Verdugo.
• Montrose is a favorite among many of tonight’s attendees.
• Hermosita is beautiful, but there is no sidewalk.
• Verdugo Woodlands has a walking culture. Great walking on Hermosita, Opeechee, Niodrara. Great evening and summer walks.
• Sparr Heights is a nice area to walk.
• Santa Carlotta is a popular walking spot.
What are the problem areas for walking?
• There are no sidewalks around CV High School.
• I would like to be able to walk to Descanso Gardens. It’s bad from Honolulu to the 2 freeway. You can walk on the north side of Verdugo, but you have to cross many driveways (with traffic exiting/entering).
• The sightlines on Verdugo force drivers to come way out of the driveways.
• There should be some method to differentiate the sidewalk from the driveway so that drivers know they are in a pedestrian zone.
• Above Foothill, every north/south walk is steep.
• I live in La Crescenta. We’ve become a car culture. We used to walk much more.
• The intersection of La Crescenta, Arlington and Sierra Vista is bad. Sierra Vista comes in at an angle so you cannot see pedestrians who are coming south on La Crescenta.
• Colina at Canada is bad. There is heavy traffic. East of Canada, there are no sidewalks for kids going to the back gate of Verdugo Woodlands School. There’s also a lot of thick brush which forces the pedestrians further into the street.
• We need to do safety stuff with cars before we encourage kids to walk.
• At Verdugo Woodlands the kids are getting safety instruction. There are many more people out on Walking Wednesdays.
• Parents also need to be educated. They drive their kids out of fear.
• On the west side of Verdugo, south of Wabasso, the sidewalk is so narrow that you can’t push a stroller.
• We need to identify the safe routes to school and let the parents know where they are.
• We should encourage the lot at Congregational Church as a drop off spot, then students could cross at Wabasso to get to Colina (and the back entrance to Verdugo Woodlands).
• Parking on both sides of some streets, like Hermosita, Niodrara, and Colina make it difficult. They should park on one side only.
• There’s a drop-off area in front to Glendale Community College where cars are double parked around 7 pm every night.
• Cars need to stop at the crosswalk, acknowledge pedestrians, and THEN creep into the walkway to check for traffic.
What kinds of bike encouragement programs would you like to see?
• Tour de Glendale – a bike ride in Glendale where the streets would be closed.
• A family cycling event with closed streets, 2 to 5 miles long.
• Small bike paths within the parks would be good.
What are the good places to bike in north Glendale?
• Honolulu, through Montrose Shopping Park, but also to Crescenta Valley Park.
• Would like to see more bike racks on the Montrose Shopping Park.
• West of Canada on Opechee.
• Verdugo Park to Oakmont, nice bike ride.
• Riding on Canada is similar to Glenoaks, Verdugo is decent, not too many cars on the road, not too many entry points (driveways) into the road.
• Foothill is a bit dangerous due to the topography, traffic, driveway cuts, lights – especially Lowell to Ocean View.
• Honolulu is a good alternative to Foothill, but Foothill is a more regional and direct biking route. Bike lanes would help on Foothill to make riding safer on it.
• Quiet residential streets in Verdugo Woodlands are safe for kids to ride.
Where are the bad places to ride a bike in north Glendale?
• There are no good places for kids to ride a bike in north Glendale. The closest safe places are the Rose Bowl or Lake Balboa in the valley.
• The local schools do not encourage kids to ride bikes.
• I think Glenoaks Blvd. is bad due to all the parked cars and the possibility of being doored. Pacific to Alameda in particular is dangerous.
• When resurfacing roads, is there a policy to warn cyclists of conditions particularly hazardous to them? Can the city adopt such a policy?
• A public safety campaign is needed to educate vehicle drivers, bicyclists, and pedestrians, especially at crosswalks.
General comment: improve sight lines for vehicles making right turns at intersections by prohibiting street parking near these intersections.
What kind of programs would you like to see to encourage bicycling?
• Cycling event one a year to encourage cycling around the city – a “Tour de Glendale” – scout the main routes, make it an official city event, certain streets would be closed to traffic.
• Monthly or quarterly, close off streets so kids can ride bikes in a specific neighborhood. Something like a 2-5 mile route.
• It would be nice to have concrete bike paths available to ride at city parks, especially at Verdugo Park.
• At Montrose Park there is a small paved area, but it would be nice if there were more options.
• Glorietta Park has another paved area to ride.
Red index card: Is there anything else you’d like to tell us?
• Encouragement programs: Walking/running tour of Glenale with a tour guide. Neighborhood walk-to-school meeting areas. Bike safety training and clubs for 5-8th graders. Link to school safety committees.
• Education programs – ideas. Walking tours/guided. Partner with AAA and insurance companies. Don’t forget about educating drivers. Promote car-free and bus days.
• As possibly irritating as it may be to some (not cyclists or peds) to shut down major streets to automobile traffic – in Hollywood, the intersection of Hollywood and Highland is regularly shut down due to events at the Kodak theater and people deal with it. Also, Times Square comes to mind.
• Discuss projects in process or proposed by the City of Glendale, that are currently pending or in process.