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"How could you destroy beautiful Summit Avenue!!! Ther are plenty of parks in this beautiful city that you can ride your bikes! ENOUGH!!!!"

"NO! Changing Summit Avenue to accommodate more bikes is RIDiCULOUS!!! Are the people driving this bus even bike riders??????? QUIT WASTING MONEY, OTHER RESOURCES and TREES!!!!! You are shameful people! Shameful!!"

"I am a Minneapolis resident and I am concerned about the removal of trees with this project."

"We drive on Summit Ave with every visit to St. Paul to enjoy the serenity of the trees along the street by the historic homes. Save the trees! Don't make the street look like North Dakota."

"As frequent visitors to St.Paul we enjoy driving on Summit Ave with the stately homes and beautiful trees. This is the best residential street in the St. Paul-Minneapolis area with its history. There are alternative plans that make the street usable for cars, bikes and homeowners and save the trees."

"Thank you for the work you are doing. Summit is an unusually beautiful Avenue. If it ain’t broke why fix it. The bicycle paths are unused by bikers. I use them as a pedestrian in the winter’s ice and snow. Why waste money on this insane project when there are important and serious issues we face in this city."

"I have lived in Minneapolis for 20 years, and the addition of bike lanes there has become overbearing. It has made it more of a hassle to get around, to find residential and business parking, and reduced available lanes for vehicles to use at a time when more and more residential units are being built. The addition of white and yellow posts with reflective tape has also made the streets unsightly. This proposal would chop down a major portion of what makes historic St Paul so beautiful. I am so disgusted with this proposal!!! It seems like a vast waste of money to me with the end result being an overall net-loss for everyone, except the 2% of the people living in the Twin Cities that use a bike. I strongly oppose this idea."

"The historical character of St. Paul is undoubtedly the best feature of your beautiful city and Summit is without question the crown jewel. I absolutely love to visit and walk to restaurants and shops under the beautiful trees. My family and I often make plans to meet up with other friends in St. Paul specifically for this atmosphere. We applaud those that have worked diligently to preserve it, and appreciate the significant extra expense your residents have spent over the years in order to maintain this lovely historic neighborhood. The proposal to remove trees and narrow sidewalks to make way for a bike path would completely alter the landscape and significantly damage the historical integrity of this neighborhood we love. Granted, serious bikers do need safe places to ride, but surely it does not need to destroy such a lovely place to walk not to mention decades of hard fought preservation of one of the most beautiful neighborhoods in the upper mid-west. I beg of you to oppose this proposal."

"I moved from historic city ( that destroyed by concrete) to green Saint Paul, Please don't cut trees and we don' need more concrete. Save Our Street and Save Summit Ave."

"One of the most beautiful things about the city of Saint Paul is it trees and nature. We must preserve every piece of nature we can to leave the next generation a better neighborhood, city and world."

"Instead of spending millions creating a bike path that won't be maintained, neighbors want the city to follow recommendations of experts to shrink the drive lanes of the existing street to create a bigger buffer for bikers. Shrinking drive lanes would also slow/calm traffic speeds--helpful for everyone, and saving millions in needless federal, state and city spending... Preserve the park-like feel of this historic street!!"

"I am opposed to the plan being presented by the City, Many thanks to the SOS Committee for doing solid research to expose the flaws of the City's plan."

"The city can not keep up with plowing streets. How can they add plowing bike paths. From what I’ve seen of the new proposal everyone looses. Avid bikers will not like it, residents and walkers will hate it. Taxes will go up to support something most don’t want."

"I am a concerned resident of Ramsey Hill and I’ve seen the number of ash trees marked for removal in our neighborhood and it’s shocking. Between Mackubin and Western on Portland and Holly, I counted over 25 of them. This is concerning for several reasons: 1. Change in neighborhood microclimate and energy usage: Scientific studies suggest boulevard trees can reduce residential energy consumption by 10-15% through shade and transpiration, so removing them would likely increase energy consumption (to cool homes) by 9-13%. This is significant 2. Loss of historical character of the neighborhood: These mature ash trees have lined the boulevards for over a century and confer a unique historical character and charm that visitors and residents of St. Paul value. This character will be lost when the trees are removed 3. Inadequate preparation to replace trees: While the City has known that the emerald ash bore is a problem for almost 10 years, no replacement trees were planted so they could begin growing before the ash trees come down. We will be left with a neighborhood that looks blighted, is significantly hotter, and more expensive to live in (due to increased energy usage to cool homes)"

"The proposed new bike lane will not only be less safe than our present bike lane but more importantly a needless waste of hundreds of trees on historic Summit Avenue. It will be even more of a boondoggle than the Ayd Mill bike lane that no one uses. Why does the Mayor and city council continue to show such poor judgment and fiscal irresponsibility?"

"Please...as a resident and taxpayer in St. Paul, do not decimate and dilute the power and beauty of our nationally known treasure, Summit Ave and every single tree on it. It is a profound mistake leading to a profound loss to consider altering it in any way. There are other non-destructive options to give the city another bike trail. Please consider that ....seriously. I am of the neighborhood and fully support the position of SOS. Please find a more respectful way to have a bike path as I am sure most bikers are of the same ilk, and would not like to see any destruction of Summit Ave and it's vegetation so they can have a bike path, already there without the destruction. Cutting trees and replanting is NOT an option as it is, decimation."

"I own a bicycle business, advocating for more people on bicycles. This plan is ridiculous. It’s a waste of money and resources. National resources too! There’s nothing stopping people from riding in the street. However there is a problem with drivers Ed and enforcing traffic laws. I agree with a NO."

"How many people actually bike here? Where are they coming from and going to? For work or pleasure? How much revenue do you make on “bikers” ? Also, how many months is it safe to bike? May - Oct? 1/2 a year. The few months biking is safe and the small number of bikers. Is not at all worth the damage to the trees and destroying the historical charm and function to all the homeowners on Summit and all the surrounding homes. How is it possible the St Paul’s Historic society (https://www.visitsaintpaul.com/blog/summit-avenue-history-the-story-of-saint-pauls-famous-street/). Can dictate what homeowners can and can’t do to the homes they own- and you can come in with a plan that will devalue theses same homes - Why???? I’d like to know how much money you have already wasted on this plan before even finding out if anybody wanted it. Stop destroying Summit Avenue and the historical value of this city."

"I think I might have signed this petition before, but can't recall for sure, and would be devastated to learn that I hadn't. I have lived on Summit since 2004, and cannot believe that those entrusted with the care and maintenance of this legendary street would deliberately put it so clearly at risk for any reason, especially when bikers have so many choices of where to ride. I very much agree that safety is important, but it has not even been shown that separate bike lanes would enhance bikers' safety, and there are unlimited alternative routes on which they can travel! The plan seems to me to be an irresponsible, ill-considered, and pre-decided capitulation to the wishes of a relatively small group of people, most of whom are not property owners and have no interest whatsoever in maintaining the unique characteristics of the street. Rather than refusing to acknowledge the opinions of certified arborists, any responsible public servant would respect its heritage and refuse to allow the slaughter of the innocent trees of Summit Avenue."

"This whole bike path thing is ridiculous. It’s nothing more than virtue signaling by the city while they ignore more pressing road issues. I say this as a bike commuter."

"Thank you for saving our trees."

"I am saying an emphatic “no” to the proposed Summit Avenue Regional Trail Master Plan. It does not belong on historic Summit Avenue, the most famous tourist destination in Saint Paul. I think the plan would provide a more dangerous alternative for human safety to the current plan, not less. The damage to the environment (our awesome historic trees) itself is reason to reject this plan. Please, City of St. Paul, do not do this."

"I am against any plan that negatively affects trees period. I believe Summit Ave’s bike lanes are sufficient in our city. It’s much more important to me to preserve the trees, canopies, boulevards, current trails and current bike lanes. Also, not thrilled with the severe reduction in parking along Summit. How about we pave the rest of Summit and get the street freshened up that way and preserve and minimally enhance its natural beauty?"

"There are more appropriate places for such a bike trail that would not have as negative an impact on natural resources and historic preservation efforts."

"I oppose the construction of a bike path on Summit Ave."

"Leave the street, parking, and particularly the Boulevard alone. It works just fine for everyone and it is very very pleasant to be around. Don’t screw it up."

"I oppose the cycle path proposed for Summit Avenue. We need another option: Save trees, save parking, slow traffic with narrower drive lanes, and create in-street, wider, high-visibility bike lanes."

"I find it horrendous that the city has such little regard for the historic and aesthetic nature of Grand/Crocus Hill, Summit Avenue. We do not want our neighborhood to look like Eagan, or what has happened to Uptown Minneapolis. This current administration has no regard for the thoughts or concerns of this neighborhood! Daniel Tesch"

"I am opposed to eliminating parking on any side of Summit ave. I read that because of the amount of traffic on Summit a divided bike lane is needed for safety, the other option is to move to bike lane to a less busy street eliminating Summit ave. Residents on Summit from Lexington to Snelling Ave donated 20 feet of their property to create green space, please don’t mess this space up."

"Summit Avenue is one of the key unique features of the history of St Paul and altering it would make the city more bland and generic. There also are plenty of bike lanes in the area so this doesn’t really serve any missing need."

"Residents need more time to evaluate the impact and details of such a major plan."

"Summit Avenue is very special. Not only to me, but to the citizens of our city and state of Minnesota. I have taken the time to review the plans, and unfortunately I believe they will detract from the historic integrity and the beauty of one of the most important public amenities we have in the city. Summit Avenue is a gem, and let's keep it that way."

"I strongly oppose the Summit Avenue Regional Trail Master Plan. Please do not approve this plan."

"It is necessary for a society to remember it's past, for better or For worse, as a means to recycle the good and understand that which went bad. Architecture is one of the foundations to a memory of which is not clouded by romance, but clearly displayed by truth that's hidden within each stone, and each brick, and each design. Nothing is trivial. Destroying history destroys our individual and collective futures."

"I’m still grappling with the idea that the Saint Paul City Council would negate 137 years of an historic Boulevard, and in that process would be taking down trees which we are trying to preserve not eradicate. None of this makes sense. There are so many other streets you could be choosing. Or not do this at all. Or do it without harm. I don’t live on Summit Avenue, but that does not keep me from recognizing the importance of this Boulevard and driving on it almost daily. This bike lane would have limited usage, given the long winters we are known to have. I’m pro bike but I don’t get this direction we’ve taken. Why are we putting seven months of expanded bike usage ahead of the year round needs of cars, pedestrians and current bike lane users? Enjoying this historic mature tree-lined Boulevard belongs to all of us."

"Summit Ave. is of historical importance to the entire area. We have family who live on Summit and we are in our 70's and biking is not an option. Bikers have other options such as Dayton or Selby Aves. to reach downtown. Our family home on E. Minnehaha Pkwy. was damaged when a large boulevard Elm tree fell on the house after the Pkwy. was redone and supporting tree roots were removed."

"I have been walking this green, leafy, peaceful avenue for over fifty years. It is, to me, the symbol of a city that values its history and its people. Why in the world would you ruin this simply because federal money is available to do so? This is a city with many infrastructure issues. How did you decide to prioritize this project? What surveys convinced you that car traffic would be reduced and more bicycles would be used if you proceed?"

"Please leave Summit Ave as is and first consider much needed repairs such as resurfacing and repainting existing bike lanes indications. Summit Ave is a historical landmark. Altering it in any way will be destroying one of very few such neighborhoods in the US. Trees are historic too! And provide much needed shade and cooling effects in the spring and summer months not to mention gorgeous colors in the fall. And haven’t we already removed enough trees in our city? The plan to remove stumps and replace is years out… Trees of the size and maturity if Summit Ave are irreplaceable! Leave them alone (no pun intended). There are many alternatives to this proposed plan and the voices of the citizens should be heard & heeded. Not to mention this is a residential area home to many and most of which do not have access to off street parking. Summit Ave is our home and we love it just as it is. Please look elsewhere for spending this money such as the Ford Spur if another bike trail is a must or far better yet repairing ALL the roads of St. Paul."

"If you do this, future generations will curse you ! Ruining beautiful Summit Avenue for the BikeLobbyL I’ve lived here sinc 1963, worst idea ever!"

"I live in the area and ride my bike on Summit several times a week. It serves as an excellent junction to many trails in the region in it's current configuration. This plan is unnecessary and I do not see it leading to a better experience for bikers like myself. Summit avenue is historic and a signature piece of what makes our town special. It is enjoyed for walking, biking and recreating by so many residents and students every day of the year. There is no reason to overthink this. Please consider leaving Summit just the way it is so we may all continue to enjoy it for the years to come."

"Saint Paul’s proposed $12 million Summit Avenue Regional Bike Trail, though seemingly well intentioned, is fraught with many unknowns that will likely result in unintended and irreversible consequences, with no proven increase in bicyclist safety. Before city departments and the city council approve the project’s recently unveiled Regional Trail Master Plan, they must prove that once completed, the trail will not be yet one more civic-improvement debacle built on good but not fully thought-out intentions. According to the master plan, regional trails “are intended to pass through or provide connections between regional parks.” At a recent meeting of the Parks and Recreation Department, a community member asked a city design engineer if there were any dedicated regional bike trails similar in length and design to the proposed Summit Avenue trail that also run through a highly developed urban residential neighborhood like the one along Summit Avenue. His answer was no; he and his staff were not aware of a similar bike trail in the region or even the nation. The Summit Avenue Bike Trail, if completed, would then be the first of its kind: a 5.4-mile-long ribbon of off-road pavement running through the heart of an old and established Saint Paul neighborhood. It would intersect with forty-eight cross-streets, seven of which are high-traffic-count connectors. The danger posed by those intersections is real and will not be diminished. In the last ten years, there have been thirty-two reported accidents between vehicles and bicycles on Summit Avenue, most of which occurred at one or another of its intersections. Two accidents, both at the intersection with Snelling Avenue, a high-speed, high-volume county highway, killed the bicyclists involved. One death was the fault of the vehicle driver; the other was the fault of the bicyclist. There is no evidence to show that the new trail will reduce or eliminate these types of accidents, given that it will intersect with the same forty-eight cross-streets. The new trail will also become more dangerous for bicyclists designated as “advanced” in the Metro Council Regional Trail Plan: rigorous, recreational riders—those who often bike between regional parks—and long-distance commuters. These cyclists desire fast, unimpeded transit and move at an average speed of about 15 miles per hour. It is reasonable to assume that many advanced riders will chose not to use the off-road trail because they will not want to slow down when maneuvering around the slower casual and family bikers the trail is also designed to serve. Instead, they will ride on Summit Avenue as they do now, except without the benefit of an on-road bike lane, which will be eliminated to make room for the new trail. Not only will drivers and bicyclists need to share a single vehicle lane, but the master plan does not provide enough room for vehicles to safely pass cyclists—a recipe for frustration, anger, and accidents. Residents of Saint Paul are being asked to buy the proverbial pig in a poke—a $12 million pig. The master plan—seductive because it hits all the high notes of what many of us consider good urban living—is little more than a bureaucratic fever dream for an untested and unproven concept. It leaves far too many questions unanswered, including the impact of the trail’s construction on the hundreds of mature trees along its route as well as its impact on the character of a nationally cherished historic district. Safe bicycling for all should be the goal of an urban bike trail. This goal can be achieved on Summit Avenue by less intrusive means such as paving and striping the road, installing traffic calming devices at each intersection, and enforcing current speed limits. If the city implemented these simple measures, Summit would provide an expedient and safe experience for all bicyclists at a fraction of the cost. Patrick Contardo Robyn Roslak 1845 Summit Avenue St. Paul, MN 55105 218-390-0322 contardo@d.umn.edu"

"The Met Council and Parks and Rec Department tout the Summit Avenue Trail for its increased safety for bicyclists. The “bike” trail, as proposed and as designed, will in fact be less safe than the current on-street bike trail. It is a mischaracterization to refer to the Summit Avenue Regional Trail as a bikeway. Three segments of Summit Avenue, according to the City of Saint Paul Bicyclist and Pedestrian 2019 Count Report, are the most popular walking streets in Saint Paul. Besides those who walk on foot, the report also defines pedestrians as "individuals using assistive devices such as strollers or skateboards." Because of its immense popularity with Saint Paul residents and tourists alike, a dedicated 5.4-mile-long paved trail will likely be used more by non-cyclists than cyclists. These other users would include but not be restricted to: runners, and runners with jogging strollers; electric scooters; electric bikes; motorized wheelchairs; skateboards; dog walkers; parents with children in strollers and on training bikes; and walking groups wanting or needing a wider walkway. Many will be using ear buds or similar devices that make it difficult to hear other trail users approaching from behind. They will all see the trail as not just for cyclists but as an amenity to be shared by all. Most of the sidewalks along Summit are 4 ft. wide, with some 5 ft., and one segment of about 6 ft. Almost all sidewalks are uneven from frost heaving and tree roots, which makes for hazardous walking. It impossible to use a skateboard, and almost impossible to safely use an electric or non-electric scooter on them. Motorized wheelchairs, runners, runners with jogging strollers, electric scooters, and skateboarders currently use the striped, on-street bike lanes because they are wider and smoother than the sidewalks. During winter months, Summit’s existing striped on-street bike lanes are used not only by cyclists, but also by most non-cyclists, runners, and even a few walkers. All these users feel safer on the street than on adjacent ice- and snow-covered sidewalks. As the "bike trail" (a misnomer, really) becomes the preferred path for other users, the advanced and casual cyclists who want to ride at a fast clip (15 mph) and avoid conflicts with other trail users who may not hear them due to earbuds, will revert to riding in the street. However, vehicle lanes are too narrow to allow a car, let alone commercial vehicle, to pass a bicyclist. Bicyclists have full legal rights to operate in the vehicle lane of all city streets if they obey traffic laws. Mississippi River Boulevard is a prime example of what trail congestion looks like. Almost 100% of advanced bikers ride in the street and not on the adjacent bike trail because of the great number of pedestrians enjoying the beauty the boulevard. Saint Paul would have a safer bike trail -- and save $12 million -- by repairing the sidewalks along Summit, resurfacing the street, restriping current bike lanes, and installing traffic-calming devices at the 48 intersections. Patrick Contardo 218.390.0322 contardo@d.umn.edu"

"I'm with Dan of the Bike Shop. I've been riding Summit Ave since 2001 when I moved to St. Paul. Don't fix what's not broken but some well placed Asphalt and Seal Coating will go a long way to improving the Bike Lanes. I ride on sidewalks now because I'm too old for Off Road riding."

"Please continue your great work. Please keep Summit as it is. The changes to Ayd Mill and Pelham were bad enough but this going too far. Carters city planners need to have a reckoning. Sorry I could not make your open house. Where can I view the proposed planned changes? Thank you, PetrB"

"This process needs to be transparent and involve the citizens of St Paul. Many residents are impacted by this plan and our voice needs to heard and taken to heart. Summit Avenue is a irreplaceable treasure and should be treated with respect and reverence especially given its historical and natural beauty. A longer comment period is needed for everyone to review, digest and provide feedback on the proposal."

"We visit our daughter almost every month because it feels like our second home. Summit is known for its beauty and elegance BECAUSE of the trees. If the trees are ripped away, everyone’s sacred place will be destroyed."

"We visit our daughter almost every month because it feels like our second home. Summit is known for its beauty and elegance BECAUSE of the trees. If the trees are ripped away, everyone’s sacred place will be destroyed."

"I appreciate all your effort for this. Every homeowner should make a copy of their tax bill and send it to the mayor and city council. The bike coalition has nothing but time to stuff this down the councils agenda. The home owners work to pay their taxes and do not have the time to run downtown for a meeting at 2:00pm in the afternoon to voice their concerns."

"No"