My name is Tony Lee, and I am the owner of Stanford Coin Wash, a local laundromat that has been serving our community on El Camino Real in Palo Alto, CA, for years. Last year, the construction of a new bicycle lane by Caltrans eliminated the only parking spaces that my customers and other small businesses in the area rely on - parking along El Camino Real. Since small businesses like mine don't have their own parking lot, this change has significantly impacted customer foot traffic and, consequently, the livelihood of us local business owners. 

While I fully support efforts to promote environmentally friendly transportation and ensure the safety of cyclists, I strongly believe it is possible to achieve these goals without compromising the accessibility and viability of small businesses along El Camino Real - especially since there are plenty of safer cycling paths in the vicinity. Our community has long been a nurturing ground for diverse, independent businesses that add unique character to Palo Alto, and these businesses depend on convenient parking to thrive.

The sudden loss of parking has made it increasingly difficult for customers to access my laundromat and other nearby businesses, leading to a sharp decrease in customer visits. Small businesses are already struggling to recover from the effects of the pandemic, and this additional burden threatens their survival.

We call upon Caltrans and local government authorities to reconsider the current road design and work collaboratively with business owners, residents, and city planners to devise a more balanced solution. Possible alternatives could include highly localized short-term loading zones (15-30 minutes) immediately adjacent to businesses that require the transfer of heavy goods (e.g., laundry) or other hybrid lane systems that better balance the needs of cyclists and businesses.

By supporting this petition, you will be advocating for small businesses in Palo Alto and in surrounding cities that need your help to continue serving our beloved community. Join us in urging Caltrans to find a fair compromise that benefits everyone - something that they failed to do in the first place when approving this small business-killing project. Please sign this petition and help save the jobs and spirits of small business owners, and most importantly, customer convenience on El Camino Real.