To the Editor:

During a recent discussion, a member of City Council raised the question as to why the city doesn't have standards for installation of bike lanes, for example, recommendations by width of street, volume of traffic, etc. This is an excellent question. The lack of standards is evident by wide variations seen throughout Alexandria. If there were standards, would we even be having a discussion concerning bike lanes on King Street? Applying any reasonable standard of street width plus volume and type of traffic would immediately rule out King Street, that is, the four blocks of King Street where bike lanes are proposed.

The city's engineer wrote in a Dec. 20, 2013 letter to residents announcing his decision to install bike lanes, that he "walked, drove, and rode my own bike up and down King Street to make sure I experienced the roadway from the perspective of all street users." He does not address the impact that removing parking and access to homes along this narrow, heavily traveled roadway will have on the safety of residents.

Neighbors throughout the affected community who will live each and every day with the results of this decision are working together to raise these issues. It seems counterproductive for the city to sacrifice safety for residents in an attempt to provide it for bicyclists. Thankfully the city identified a basis for appealing and the opportunity to overturn the decision to install bike lanes on King Street. This would provide the city time to develop plans that incorporate realistic standards which actually address the safety of residents and the constraints of the neighborhood.

Louise Welch

Alexandria