The City of Berkeley has approved a plan to create new protected bike lanes on a mile-long stretch of Hopkins through our business district. Making room for the lanes will require the removal of over 60 parking spaces and the erection barriers that will prevent cars from parking next to the sidewalk. This proposal is wrong.

It will hurt our local business, people trying to use the King Pool or recreation area, parents picking up children, surrounding neighborhoods who will not be able to park in front of their houses, seniors who cannot ride a bicycle due to health or disabilities. Yet studies show there is very low bike usage through this area.

Over 51% of people in our area are over 55 years old. Carrying heavy bags, walking great distances, crossing traffic as well as bike lanes will make it difficult to use our beloved shopping area.

The bike coalition is powerful but so are seniors. The Hopkins Corridor plan is not worth the disruption it will cause for all of us in our area and is not fair. 

We the undersigned demand the City Council withdraw their approval of the Hopkins Corridor Plan.