There has been a remarkable and joyful abundance of citizen participation and investment in Camden since my activist years, so this note causes me great discord as the otherwise quiet, unassuming Camdenizen I have been. It cannot be easy to represent voters and residents these days, with rapid communication and huge constituent resentment for the many foul decisions of the recent past, at all levels of government.
Now we are faced with yet another baffling notion: A bike lane on Fremont. First, which quisling came up with that one? Some goon will tell me, ignorant peasant that I must appear, to consider the neighborhood needs instead of just my own (we have lived on Fremont since ‘86, family since ‘24). There just has to be money involved. Now you know how much a life is worth, in City Council numbers! Because, whatever it costs to put up signs, paint stripes, tow resident vehicles, and respond to potential outrage, that's apparently a fair price to pay for the foolish mortal who rides or lives on Fremont. People are going to get killed.
It was only a couple years ago that I administered ‘last rites' to a motorcyclist who ‘got whacked' attempting to enter Fremont from 41st. He was so mangled, the police officer nearly puked instead of manning up on mouth-to-mouth. Then there were the drunk baboons with an SUV full of unbuckled kids who sped through the 42nd light, smashing into someone eastbound, who then smashed into me, going home westbound, in ‘05. Not a summer goes by that we don't see the show, after screeching brakes and shattered glass, when two cars disagree about their places, and trade paint over it. The freaking busses speed through Fremont 24-7. Sure, a bike lane. That'll work...
Fremont is, and has been, a street with "issues," not the least of which is conversion to rental property over the glory mortgage years just past. How much is the City anticipating, by habits to street park, so they can tow residents and short-termers and guests? Which genius is ready to account for the huge problems during snow season? Which "supervisor" is failing their oath of service, by simply ignoring the pending pedestrian injuries from those of us who will have to attempt crossing Fremont to our cars? Ever heard of arm-loads of groceries; children; seniors; the impaired; teenagers?
I've bicycled since the dark ages. Never, would I do so on Fremont Avenue, with or without a bike path. That's sheer suicide. If moving vehicles don't get you, somebody will open a car door right in front of you. Other hazards are potholes, but those are trivial compared to the drivers' habits.
Of course, given Camden's political history, writing this letter is considered a form of suicide as well. (Wait for it...Ah! City Inspectors! What a surprise!) But I choose to step out of line, yet again; bolstered by folks such as Buzzy Bohn and Nick Haig. Should our "officials" choose to give us the brush off, I predict it will be politically costly, maybe even suicidal. Sure, the calculus is there from the last election for Ward 4. There were some interesting points of view, but not much traffic from the voters. Are there bunches of other deals like this one, where the City makes a move, crushing and ignoring proper input because it's only from a small group?
The only logical explanation is: Money from the legislature, or the lottery or Fed Stimulus. Compared to a few blocks of angry Fremonters, nobody will be the worse, right? Where is the compromise so often suggested between those in conflict? Well, here's one that isn't making the rounds, apparently. Try St. Paul, along Summit Avenue. All those college kids ride bikes, right? They put the lane outside of the parked cars, which are there 24/7 for miles. Why am I not surprised that this idea wasn't even considered by the City? We could have our parking on both sides, and a bike lane. Are we learning, yet?
Joseph Grimme,
Webber-Camden