Once again, a segment of the Joe Rodota Trail has been closed indefinitely to cyclists and pedestrians due to a homeless encampment. Sonoma County Regional Parks' website states that the camp is “impeding safe public use of the trail” and no end date has been provided.
In an article in yesterday's Press Democrat, Parks Director Bert Whitaker states that the department has not issued notices to campers asking them to vacate; nor have they asked for assistance from the Sheriff's Office or the Santa Rosa Police Department. He also suggests that cyclists detour along Sebastopol Road - a route that would require crossing BOTH Dutton and Stony Point Roads.
If folks were to set up tents in the middle of a vehicle lane, they would immediately be removed. You may have seen our Letter to the Editor last week about the various obstructions we continually face in bike lanes: vehicles, garbage bins, construction and other signs, even a storage POD - with no response from the city or county.
This pattern of sacrificing our sparsely-distributed, hard-won bicycle facilities to other uses MUST BE STOPPED.
If you agree, please emailBert Whitaker and the Board of Supervisors and tell them how you feel - include your own personal experiences of the trail if possible.
If you are interested in possibly joining an in-person protest, let us know. |
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