Editor, Ceres Courier,

I noticed our city is lacking a Bicycle Master Plan in the General Plan, so I decided to bike my entire district – and eventually the entire city – to be able to give some informed suggestions on the matter should the city ever develop a Bicycle Master Plan.

Here are my insights so far:  

The city seems fairly safe to bike in. I say “fairly safe” because in my run-up to the 57.59-mile feat, on one occasion I was chased by a vicious-looking pit bull. On a second occasion, stray cats saved me from a stray German Shepherd. On a third occasion, I witnessed a teenager on a bike get struck by a car near Neel Park.

The conclusions I draw so far are that we definitely have an animal control problem in Council District #3 and we could use safer biking routes. My suggestion – and genuine plea – is that the city only spend money on developing Class 1 and Class 4 bikeway paths henceforth. Class 1 and Class 4 pathways are exclusive for bike riders and typically have some form of barrier to protect riders from traffic. Although the city already has plenty of designated Class 2 bike paths, painted lines won’t protect our children from incoming traffic–much less vicious-looking animals.

To end, I would like to recognize the Parks & Recreation staff. On more than one occasion during my ride, I felt fortunate to bike passed such well-preserved parks – the crown jewels of Ceres.

Alvaro Franco,

Ceres

LETTERS POLICY: Letters will be considered for publication but must be signed and include an address and phone number. Letters should be 250 words or less and be void of libel. Send to The Ceres Courier, 138 S. Center Street, Turlock CA 95380 or emailed to jeffb@cerescourier.com.