We are once again in the midst of summer and intensified bike traffic on our private sidewalks and common areas. We have a unique private community, geographically positioned as a convenient short cut from 8th Street to 3rd Avenue SE.  This has been an on-going issue for well over twenty years and has been a safety concern for all MHOOSA residents who are on our sidewalks. Countless bikes have zoomed by gardeners weeding on their hands and knees and residents who use canes, walkers or strollers. Many homeowners have valiantly tried to educate pedestrians and engage them in conversation but  "talking" to bikers, in particular, has proven to be an unsuccessful strategy. Most of the people passing through are transitory to our neighborhood, don't understand that our driveways are not streets and new offenders replace them each year.  Bikers have also zoomed thought the gardens as if they were public park space with dirt bike paths. The numbers of bikers through the complex has now increased to the highest level on record. If neighborhood pedestrians and bikers passed through respectfully and walked their bikes slowly it might not be a critical issue but this year two bikers escalated their disrespectfulness and behavior by not only swearing at a homeowner but by shoving him to the ground and injuring him after he asked them to walk their bikes.

In an effort to make a stronger statement to the bikers and to increase the safety of all homeowners the board has investigated installing a fence and gate at the north side of the 3rd Avenue SE sidewalks between the garages of 716 and 714. The gate would require a user to open a latch handle for entering and exiting and would then close automatically on a spring. The gate would not be locked but would act as a very strong symbol that our sidewalks are private. Often when you add a physical requirement such as needing to open a latch, you discourage users, like our bikers, who will choose another route that appears more accessible. A gate will not guarantee that a biker will not still choose to go through but they will be slowed down and inconvenienced which may be the greatest outcome we can achieve.

Since, we are at the height of the summer season, we would like to proceed on the gate project as soon as possible but wish to offer you the opportunity for feedback. Please contact the managers or any board member with your concerns as soon as possible.