City Seeks Residents' Letters of Support for Bike/Ped Grant

Piedmont is asking residents to write letters of support for a grant application to develop Piedmont's first Pedestrian and Bicycle Plan.

The city is applying for funding from the Alameda County Transportation Commission (CTC) to develop the plan "to identify projects, programs and policies that make walking and bicycling throughout the City safer, more pleasant and more convenient," according to a city notice.

The plan will include a “Safe Routes to School” component, the city said.

"To show Alameda CTC that there is broad community backing for the Plan, the City is asking residents to write letters of support," the city notice said. "These letters will improve the City’s chances of receiving a grant."

Letters must be received by March 13. Residents can email their letters to City Planner Kate Black at kblack@ci.piedmont.ca.us. Those with questions can call Black at 510-420-3063.

The email addresses of those who submit letters will not be forwarded with the letters but will be added to the city's list for sending out notices about meetings and reports related to the plan.

The city offered these tips for writing a letter of support:

Begin by stating that you support Piedmont’s grant application to fund a Pedestrian and Bicycle Plan for the city.

Briefly mention who you are and what your relationship is to Piedmont:

• Do you live or work in the city? For how many years?
• Do you have children who attend school in Piedmont?
• Are you affiliated with any civic groups or organizations in the city?

Briefly, in a sentence or two, describe your experience of walking or biking in Piedmont:

• Do you walk or bike to work? Do you walk to the bus or bike to BART?
• Do you like to walk or bike for recreation? If so, where?
• Would you like to bike or walk (or do it more often), but it doesn’t feel safe or pleasant enough?
• Are you the parent of a child who walks or bikes to school (or who would like to be), but are concerned about safety?

Again briefly, describe how improving walking or biking would benefit the community. You probably have your own reasons, but here are some reasons you could mention. Choose a couple that are most important to you, and describe them in your own words:

• Makes it safer to get around, especially for children
• By promoting the re-design of streets, makes streets more attractive and slows traffic down
• Reduces congestion or helps fight global warming by getting people out of their cars
• Encourages kids to be more independent and frees parents from having to drive them everywhere
• Promotes physical activity and public health

Finish the letter by including and/or signing your name. You may also thank the Alameda County Transportation Commission (or “Alameda CTC”) for supporting walking and biking, or for considering the City’s application.