Get this bullshit out of my email, pro-car propaganda is the dumbest possible thing imaginable. Cars ruined America, and they'll ruin Santa Barbara too.
Auto traffic circulation is being ruined in SB, so I do not understand Derek's message. Many of the immigrants to US that I have known well, sent photos of their first home and car to their families back in the old, poor countries, to show them that they had "made it" (home and car ownership) in this most prosperous land.
Whether it was a short escape from a busy work day, a scenic route crossing town with the family, or as a tourist gaining perspective on this beautiful place, slowly driving along State Street admiring the architecture, different businesses, and different people was an easy way to enjoy Santa Barbara. The current model is a disorganized competition for square footage between a unattractive parklets, urban campers, and inconsiderate bikers that, as the numbers show, is often just easier to avoid entirely.
I moved here last summer. I avoid State Street because State Street is a mess. I remember it from years ago when it had a normal traffic and pedestrian flow. It was lovely and hanging out there was a delight. Now it’s just confusing and dysfunctional to the max.
As a former regular weekly spending shopper, diner, and movie goer, I avoid State Street while wondering: Who voted for these Council representatives? When will qualified business and planning pros be identified and elected to Council? Current District reps on Santa Barbara City Council are on self-serving missions to retain their paid jobs or advance to mayor because political jobs with decent pay are only accessible to puppet Democrats with no business experience. Until very recently when two have slightly distanced, all were owned plus controlled by the Democrat machine. They do as instructed.
Business be damned! Improving or maintaining Santa Barbara’s historic uniqueness and financial viability is not the goal! Rather, State Street is to be recreated into low income high rise housing taken off the property tax rolls. State Street will be the future open recreational space for these residents.
The City already owns over 30 tax exempt downtown parcels to block vote on issues of increased taxation for other property owners. Business slowly die or some relocate. It’s the Santa Barbara progressive plan.
Presently, anyone visiting downtown will see few — if any — carrying packaged purchases, and multiple empty buildings with too many vagrants confirming Council’s plan isn’t working. The brave dodge 20mph bikes and skateboards. The high density housing with no parking is coming. The plan to destroy Santa Barbara is progressing.
Pedestrians gained about 20 ft of walking space in the street while the cyclists and skateboarders are contained within a commute lane. You are right that myopic and oblivious walkers who blindly wander into the bike lanes are often surprised by the people actually using them for what they're designated for. Show the same respect which you demand from cyclists and skateboarders by being aware of your surroundings and looking before stumbling into the bike lanes in large groups.
State Street has been failing for years before the road closed to traffic. More cars in our already congested downtown area isn't an answer. Dealing with the exorbitant rent downtown and greedy property management companies who let spaces sit fallow for years at a time seems like a more pressing issue.
I read this very good article by Mr. Wenz and I will comment since my family had a hand in the automotive and trucking Industry inventing and producing parts for same. See weblink below>
Derek made an uninformed comment ...... "Cars ruined American"
I quess Derek would say the same about the Wrigth Brother's Airplane. "Airplanes ruined America"
The problem here in Santa Barbara and the State of California is much deeper than our personal freedoms of speech, use of transportation and even our rigth to live openly where we want.
The So-Called-Leaders of this State and here in SB have suppressed many of our core freedoms that are essential to a free community and to a free society and it is not just use of cars and "State Street" or Goleta "Old Town" . Think about it, there are some very serious problems here.
Airplanes didn't ruin America. Cars shredded our cities, flattened our beaches, wiped out ecosystems. You aren't having your freedoms suppressed by having to walk to a store instead of driving down a street.
The problem is, not everyone is able-bodied, and in California's leftist Utopia many have to commute long distances in order to get to their jobs. Those who are older, have physical impairments, and are working-class realize this. Also, don't forget that the people that the author of the letter criticizes have created a situation where the people who live in that area have to go to the North Side of Santa Barbara or Goleta. In decades past, there was plenty of shopping downtown that served the locals, but now that has been wiped out so serve the interests of the tourist industry, which while always having been a major factor in Santa Barbara's economy, was balanced with the needs of the locals: that is no longer the case.
You don't need to be able bodied to sit on a bus or train. Our current car-centered society is worse for our older generations because they are either forced to continue driving even when their health makes it unsafe to do so, or they have to pay extreme costs to all their needs brought to them. Creating a transit oriented, walkable society is better for those who are not able bodied.
I think your point of view goes against human nature. When I was a kid in the '60's and 70's we watched documentaries about life in Peking, China. Back then the entire population was on bikes. Fast forward with the opening of their economy and now Bejing looks like any city in the world, although with horrible air.
Look at developing countries, I think it's safe to say they want a lot of what we have. Cars, for easier transportation, and an iPhone, and of course, an air fryer.
I don't think this is about us older people needing our cars, more so the basic idea of CAB. Cars are basic, they make life easy for everyone.
Riding bikes means no iPhone? Cars may seem to make your life easier, but are they making your life BETTER? They’re expensive, polluting, loud, create congestion, and are responsible for the downfall of so many cities and neighborhoods.
That is like saying water causes congestion in an undersized pipe. And the toilet is too loud- better to poop in the bush. Walking is almost free, and is your choice.
It was obvious that State Street was much healthier when it was open to vehicle traffic. But liberals are obsessed with doing the wrong thing even if it doesn't work. They don't care. All they care about is their vision of a European socialist Utopia.
Yes, and we see how well that so called Trotskyite utopian dream is working for Europe yes? Millions of adversarial and barbaric invaders from fifth world filth, crazy taxes, inflation out of control and complete demise of societal traditions and order just to name a few things of the top. That is Santa Barbara's fate if we don't elect a sensible mayor and city council moving forward. Randy Rowse was supposed to turn Santa Barbara around, instead, he, his city council and unelected city bureaucrats have turned Santa Barbara into a utopian NIGHTMARE which is getting worse by the day.
I once commented to Charlie the confirmed leftist how a city bus passing by had exactly zero passengers. Charlie replied that this was because the bus schedule needed to be expanded with more routes and more buses. His view seemed to be completely divorced from reality. Apparently this divorce is shared by our city planners whose ideology eclipses reality. It is also said to be the definition of insanity.
That leftist was right. People aren't going to be willing to use busses until the busses cover the destinations they want with enough frequency to be convenient
People choose buses in highly dense cities like NYC & SF, where car ownership and parking costs exceed their budget. Most bus riders can’t afford a car, a cab, or Uber and don’t qualify for Easy Lift. Few choose a bike over a car. Parents, singles, suburbanites, and service businesses need a vehicle.
People choose buses in cities where busses are fast, frequent, and go to the places they want to go. I'm surprised that people are so afraid of moving to a city design model that would save them hundreds or thousands of dollars a month. Cars are incredibly expensive.
Having lived in SF, L.A., NYC, New Orleans, I chose to live in a small manageable safe city under 100,000 residents where the only thing I’d hear daily is chirping birds rather than sirens, constant noise. I’d see beauty rather than high rise buildings, congestion, street vendors, and crowding behaviors. I chose Santa Barbara 45 years ago thinking the limited land space due to mountain to ocean topography, it’s 3-story height requirement (Granada Theater the only exception), and limited fresh water supply would ensure an escape from the stresses of high density city noise and problems. I could get what I needed within 3 miles from my hillside neighborhood.
And you think having ample transit options would result in sirens and constant noise? You know cars also result in sirens and constant noise, right? Busses reduce the number of cars on the road dramatically
Increased Transit translates into increased density. On the Eastside more buses will require street parking limitations to residents. Moreover, because of changes in CA public policy increased transit/ bus stops will allow increased density via construction of high rise residential complexes on each lot. Beware of the domino effect of your wish list, Derek.
I'm not insisting on a total teardown, I'm insisting on you people not clinging desperately to forcing car usage onto everybody else. Having a car requires you to be inconvenienced sometimes. You won't always be able to drive everywhere you want, you won't always be able to park exactly where you want. Deal with it. You don't need a pro-car advocacy group.
I believe the reason State street is closed to cars and open to parklets is because five city council members voted for it, more than once. They are, Mike Jordan, Meagan Harmon, Kristen Sneddon, Alejandra Gutierrez and my "representative" Oscar Gutierrez. Eric Friedman had a proposal to open the street except for the 500 block, but no, shot down again by these five. Alejandra, Oscar and Mike are all up for reelection. . . I can only vote against Oscar. I think a town with this population is too small for districts. Although I live on the border of Oscar and Mike's districts. I actually look out my windows at Mike's. I have work about five blocks down in the Funk Zone, that's Alejandra's district. But my apartment is closer to Meagan's than any of the others. I can only vote once every four years for my district council member. How is this good for democracy?
Next, I'll admit I'm one of those that liked driving up State very early in the morning. I can't anymore but the same people that rode their bikes up and down State can still ride up and down State. And every year it seems like more traffic lanes are eliminated or reduced for cars, yet bike riders still use ALL streets, and sidewalks. And don't get me started about those E-bikes!! They are a menace to society, and I own one. I rode it once, scared me to death and it's in my garage.
Last, some people here have said State street is vibrant. I won't disagree. It is vibrant at times, the same times that the Funk Zone is vibrant, weekends and special events. The rest of the time, 24/7 the FZ is pretty quiet, but cars, bikes and pedestrians all use it. I agree with CAB, open State street.
Agree: SB City is too small for Judge Ochoa’s victorious demand for Districts. At large Council representation for our town of under 90,000 worked well for decades.
This is so maddening. Why do people like Paris so much? Because there are cars everywhere? Absolutely not! Santa Barbara has one chance at becoming a more European city. People who actually spend time downtown are loving it. I invite you to go on Thursday nights at Satellite and listen to live music and dance in the middle of State Street. This is life. This is the life I want for my kids.
The reason shops are closing are certainly not because of the lack of cars, this is so BS... how about because the rent is unsustainable?
I totally agree with this rationale about what makes a downtown a special destination, walkability without fear of cars is high up there. I was taking a walk on state street the other evening with my wife and 3 year old toddler and we casually stopped and listened to an outdoor band with a large group of people blocking a good section of the entire street and dancing danced with a group of folks in the street. This type of magic and unique experience would never happen if cars were driving up and down.
If you want EUROPE, please feel free to move there. Santa Barbara is American, more specifically Southern Californian with its own unique flair and culture absent in Europe. You cannot and should not impose a European flair on anything Santa Barbara.
We now have two Funk Zones—the one at the train tracks and the other the erstwhile vibrant downtown State Street. I prefer these days to head to Goleta to the lively world of the Camino Real Marketplace and on the other side of the freeway, the thriving businesses along Calle Real. Major difference between SB and Goleta commercial districts? Availability of FREE off-street parking. And SB is going to raise parking fees and try to capture revenue from street parking? Dah.
I’m confused why the ability of cars to drive on State St (with no street parking anywhere) would affect patronage of businesses along State St. Whether the street is open to traffic or not, potential patrons still need to park elsewhere and walk over. Are we pointing the finger at the configuration of the street when businesses are more likely going broke due to a changing economic climate?
At present, the only available solution is for alternative business candidates to replace the three council members standing for re-election to the city council. All the talking in this forum, alone will be pointless until the leftist grip on the city council is broken.
I agree - OPEN STATE STREET! To the readers and the community: vote for new representation! Liberal policies continue to wreak havoc on our communities because they are not intended for the benefit of the people, as much as they sound like it. Wake up and vote conservative.
I'm a very pro-business and anti regulation person but I think this article missed the mark here. I go to state street at least twice a week with my wife and toddler to eat dinner and walk around. The #1 thing we love and what I believe makes state street so magic is that there are no cars on the street. We love riding our bikes slowly up state street and taking in the energy and music and smells and checking out the shops. We love walking and letting our toddler run free without worrying about a car hitting him. And every single person who comes into town and visits us comments on how much they love having state street shut down to car traffic. If you want to help the small businesses downtown, get down there and spend money yourself and support them. Take your friends. I am sympathetic to the businesses struggling as I want them to succeed, but I think the cars on state street will ruin what is a very special part of our community. I love eating in the parklets too and watching people pass by and enjoying the views down state street.
If you want to raise some money for the city, how about setting up a few cops and giving tickets like crazy to the bikers and skaters who speed on state street. They are going to ruin it for everyone. We ride bikes but are always careful to go very slow under 10 mph and mind pedestrians. If you're in a hurry, you're in the wrong town.
Get this bullshit out of my email, pro-car propaganda is the dumbest possible thing imaginable. Cars ruined America, and they'll ruin Santa Barbara too.
This comment is sheer genius.
Auto traffic circulation is being ruined in SB, so I do not understand Derek's message. Many of the immigrants to US that I have known well, sent photos of their first home and car to their families back in the old, poor countries, to show them that they had "made it" (home and car ownership) in this most prosperous land.
that makes no sense
Whether it was a short escape from a busy work day, a scenic route crossing town with the family, or as a tourist gaining perspective on this beautiful place, slowly driving along State Street admiring the architecture, different businesses, and different people was an easy way to enjoy Santa Barbara. The current model is a disorganized competition for square footage between a unattractive parklets, urban campers, and inconsiderate bikers that, as the numbers show, is often just easier to avoid entirely.
You can't slowly walk and do the same? How lazy can people get. Inconsiderate bikers bad, inconsiderate car drivers good. Makes total sense.
I moved here last summer. I avoid State Street because State Street is a mess. I remember it from years ago when it had a normal traffic and pedestrian flow. It was lovely and hanging out there was a delight. Now it’s just confusing and dysfunctional to the max.
As a former regular weekly spending shopper, diner, and movie goer, I avoid State Street while wondering: Who voted for these Council representatives? When will qualified business and planning pros be identified and elected to Council? Current District reps on Santa Barbara City Council are on self-serving missions to retain their paid jobs or advance to mayor because political jobs with decent pay are only accessible to puppet Democrats with no business experience. Until very recently when two have slightly distanced, all were owned plus controlled by the Democrat machine. They do as instructed.
Business be damned! Improving or maintaining Santa Barbara’s historic uniqueness and financial viability is not the goal! Rather, State Street is to be recreated into low income high rise housing taken off the property tax rolls. State Street will be the future open recreational space for these residents.
The City already owns over 30 tax exempt downtown parcels to block vote on issues of increased taxation for other property owners. Business slowly die or some relocate. It’s the Santa Barbara progressive plan.
Presently, anyone visiting downtown will see few — if any — carrying packaged purchases, and multiple empty buildings with too many vagrants confirming Council’s plan isn’t working. The brave dodge 20mph bikes and skateboards. The high density housing with no parking is coming. The plan to destroy Santa Barbara is progressing.
Pedestrians gained about 20 ft of walking space in the street while the cyclists and skateboarders are contained within a commute lane. You are right that myopic and oblivious walkers who blindly wander into the bike lanes are often surprised by the people actually using them for what they're designated for. Show the same respect which you demand from cyclists and skateboarders by being aware of your surroundings and looking before stumbling into the bike lanes in large groups.
State Street has been failing for years before the road closed to traffic. More cars in our already congested downtown area isn't an answer. Dealing with the exorbitant rent downtown and greedy property management companies who let spaces sit fallow for years at a time seems like a more pressing issue.
I read this very good article by Mr. Wenz and I will comment since my family had a hand in the automotive and trucking Industry inventing and producing parts for same. See weblink below>
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Walther_Sr.
Derek made an uninformed comment ...... "Cars ruined American"
I quess Derek would say the same about the Wrigth Brother's Airplane. "Airplanes ruined America"
The problem here in Santa Barbara and the State of California is much deeper than our personal freedoms of speech, use of transportation and even our rigth to live openly where we want.
The So-Called-Leaders of this State and here in SB have suppressed many of our core freedoms that are essential to a free community and to a free society and it is not just use of cars and "State Street" or Goleta "Old Town" . Think about it, there are some very serious problems here.
Howard Walther, member of a Military Family
Airplanes didn't ruin America. Cars shredded our cities, flattened our beaches, wiped out ecosystems. You aren't having your freedoms suppressed by having to walk to a store instead of driving down a street.
Have you met Nancy Freeman?
🤣
Hahahaha.. o m g
It’s raining cats and dogs!!!
Obviously you believe in fake climate change and probably had 6 quakzeens .. ugh
Derek obviously does not have kids, so he can pick up a burrito for dinner and carry it home.
The problem is, not everyone is able-bodied, and in California's leftist Utopia many have to commute long distances in order to get to their jobs. Those who are older, have physical impairments, and are working-class realize this. Also, don't forget that the people that the author of the letter criticizes have created a situation where the people who live in that area have to go to the North Side of Santa Barbara or Goleta. In decades past, there was plenty of shopping downtown that served the locals, but now that has been wiped out so serve the interests of the tourist industry, which while always having been a major factor in Santa Barbara's economy, was balanced with the needs of the locals: that is no longer the case.
You don't need to be able bodied to sit on a bus or train. Our current car-centered society is worse for our older generations because they are either forced to continue driving even when their health makes it unsafe to do so, or they have to pay extreme costs to all their needs brought to them. Creating a transit oriented, walkable society is better for those who are not able bodied.
I think your point of view goes against human nature. When I was a kid in the '60's and 70's we watched documentaries about life in Peking, China. Back then the entire population was on bikes. Fast forward with the opening of their economy and now Bejing looks like any city in the world, although with horrible air.
Look at developing countries, I think it's safe to say they want a lot of what we have. Cars, for easier transportation, and an iPhone, and of course, an air fryer.
I don't think this is about us older people needing our cars, more so the basic idea of CAB. Cars are basic, they make life easy for everyone.
Riding bikes means no iPhone? Cars may seem to make your life easier, but are they making your life BETTER? They’re expensive, polluting, loud, create congestion, and are responsible for the downfall of so many cities and neighborhoods.
That is like saying water causes congestion in an undersized pipe. And the toilet is too loud- better to poop in the bush. Walking is almost free, and is your choice.
It was obvious that State Street was much healthier when it was open to vehicle traffic. But liberals are obsessed with doing the wrong thing even if it doesn't work. They don't care. All they care about is their vision of a European socialist Utopia.
Yes, and we see how well that so called Trotskyite utopian dream is working for Europe yes? Millions of adversarial and barbaric invaders from fifth world filth, crazy taxes, inflation out of control and complete demise of societal traditions and order just to name a few things of the top. That is Santa Barbara's fate if we don't elect a sensible mayor and city council moving forward. Randy Rowse was supposed to turn Santa Barbara around, instead, he, his city council and unelected city bureaucrats have turned Santa Barbara into a utopian NIGHTMARE which is getting worse by the day.
I once commented to Charlie the confirmed leftist how a city bus passing by had exactly zero passengers. Charlie replied that this was because the bus schedule needed to be expanded with more routes and more buses. His view seemed to be completely divorced from reality. Apparently this divorce is shared by our city planners whose ideology eclipses reality. It is also said to be the definition of insanity.
That leftist was right. People aren't going to be willing to use busses until the busses cover the destinations they want with enough frequency to be convenient
People choose buses in highly dense cities like NYC & SF, where car ownership and parking costs exceed their budget. Most bus riders can’t afford a car, a cab, or Uber and don’t qualify for Easy Lift. Few choose a bike over a car. Parents, singles, suburbanites, and service businesses need a vehicle.
People choose buses in cities where busses are fast, frequent, and go to the places they want to go. I'm surprised that people are so afraid of moving to a city design model that would save them hundreds or thousands of dollars a month. Cars are incredibly expensive.
Having lived in SF, L.A., NYC, New Orleans, I chose to live in a small manageable safe city under 100,000 residents where the only thing I’d hear daily is chirping birds rather than sirens, constant noise. I’d see beauty rather than high rise buildings, congestion, street vendors, and crowding behaviors. I chose Santa Barbara 45 years ago thinking the limited land space due to mountain to ocean topography, it’s 3-story height requirement (Granada Theater the only exception), and limited fresh water supply would ensure an escape from the stresses of high density city noise and problems. I could get what I needed within 3 miles from my hillside neighborhood.
And you think having ample transit options would result in sirens and constant noise? You know cars also result in sirens and constant noise, right? Busses reduce the number of cars on the road dramatically
Increased Transit translates into increased density. On the Eastside more buses will require street parking limitations to residents. Moreover, because of changes in CA public policy increased transit/ bus stops will allow increased density via construction of high rise residential complexes on each lot. Beware of the domino effect of your wish list, Derek.
I'm not insisting on a total teardown, I'm insisting on you people not clinging desperately to forcing car usage onto everybody else. Having a car requires you to be inconvenienced sometimes. You won't always be able to drive everywhere you want, you won't always be able to park exactly where you want. Deal with it. You don't need a pro-car advocacy group.
Nobody is forcing you to drive a car, you can bike or walk wherever you please.
Electric busses.
I believe the reason State street is closed to cars and open to parklets is because five city council members voted for it, more than once. They are, Mike Jordan, Meagan Harmon, Kristen Sneddon, Alejandra Gutierrez and my "representative" Oscar Gutierrez. Eric Friedman had a proposal to open the street except for the 500 block, but no, shot down again by these five. Alejandra, Oscar and Mike are all up for reelection. . . I can only vote against Oscar. I think a town with this population is too small for districts. Although I live on the border of Oscar and Mike's districts. I actually look out my windows at Mike's. I have work about five blocks down in the Funk Zone, that's Alejandra's district. But my apartment is closer to Meagan's than any of the others. I can only vote once every four years for my district council member. How is this good for democracy?
Next, I'll admit I'm one of those that liked driving up State very early in the morning. I can't anymore but the same people that rode their bikes up and down State can still ride up and down State. And every year it seems like more traffic lanes are eliminated or reduced for cars, yet bike riders still use ALL streets, and sidewalks. And don't get me started about those E-bikes!! They are a menace to society, and I own one. I rode it once, scared me to death and it's in my garage.
Last, some people here have said State street is vibrant. I won't disagree. It is vibrant at times, the same times that the Funk Zone is vibrant, weekends and special events. The rest of the time, 24/7 the FZ is pretty quiet, but cars, bikes and pedestrians all use it. I agree with CAB, open State street.
Agree: SB City is too small for Judge Ochoa’s victorious demand for Districts. At large Council representation for our town of under 90,000 worked well for decades.
This is so maddening. Why do people like Paris so much? Because there are cars everywhere? Absolutely not! Santa Barbara has one chance at becoming a more European city. People who actually spend time downtown are loving it. I invite you to go on Thursday nights at Satellite and listen to live music and dance in the middle of State Street. This is life. This is the life I want for my kids.
The reason shops are closing are certainly not because of the lack of cars, this is so BS... how about because the rent is unsustainable?
I totally agree with this rationale about what makes a downtown a special destination, walkability without fear of cars is high up there. I was taking a walk on state street the other evening with my wife and 3 year old toddler and we casually stopped and listened to an outdoor band with a large group of people blocking a good section of the entire street and dancing danced with a group of folks in the street. This type of magic and unique experience would never happen if cars were driving up and down.
If you want EUROPE, please feel free to move there. Santa Barbara is American, more specifically Southern Californian with its own unique flair and culture absent in Europe. You cannot and should not impose a European flair on anything Santa Barbara.
I rarely come up to SB from Carp anymore. I totally agree that you have killed downtown.
One would think that a dead mall would be proof enough of that.
We now have two Funk Zones—the one at the train tracks and the other the erstwhile vibrant downtown State Street. I prefer these days to head to Goleta to the lively world of the Camino Real Marketplace and on the other side of the freeway, the thriving businesses along Calle Real. Major difference between SB and Goleta commercial districts? Availability of FREE off-street parking. And SB is going to raise parking fees and try to capture revenue from street parking? Dah.
I’m confused why the ability of cars to drive on State St (with no street parking anywhere) would affect patronage of businesses along State St. Whether the street is open to traffic or not, potential patrons still need to park elsewhere and walk over. Are we pointing the finger at the configuration of the street when businesses are more likely going broke due to a changing economic climate?
Great article!
At present, the only available solution is for alternative business candidates to replace the three council members standing for re-election to the city council. All the talking in this forum, alone will be pointless until the leftist grip on the city council is broken.
I agree - OPEN STATE STREET! To the readers and the community: vote for new representation! Liberal policies continue to wreak havoc on our communities because they are not intended for the benefit of the people, as much as they sound like it. Wake up and vote conservative.
I'm a very pro-business and anti regulation person but I think this article missed the mark here. I go to state street at least twice a week with my wife and toddler to eat dinner and walk around. The #1 thing we love and what I believe makes state street so magic is that there are no cars on the street. We love riding our bikes slowly up state street and taking in the energy and music and smells and checking out the shops. We love walking and letting our toddler run free without worrying about a car hitting him. And every single person who comes into town and visits us comments on how much they love having state street shut down to car traffic. If you want to help the small businesses downtown, get down there and spend money yourself and support them. Take your friends. I am sympathetic to the businesses struggling as I want them to succeed, but I think the cars on state street will ruin what is a very special part of our community. I love eating in the parklets too and watching people pass by and enjoying the views down state street.
If you want to raise some money for the city, how about setting up a few cops and giving tickets like crazy to the bikers and skaters who speed on state street. They are going to ruin it for everyone. We ride bikes but are always careful to go very slow under 10 mph and mind pedestrians. If you're in a hurry, you're in the wrong town.