LETTERS

Letters to the editor: Jan. 20, 2020

Staff Writer
Austin American-Statesman
A cyclist makes her way on Shoal Creek Boulevard in 2016. [RICARDO B. BRAZZIELL/AMERICAN-STATESMAN]

Another safety concern

on Shoal Creek Boulevard

The City of Austin will soon complete the two-way protected bike lane on Shoal Creek Boulevard between 38th Street and Foster Lane. This important safety improvement is very much welcomed by the biking community, but there is another safety issue the city continues to ignore on Shoal Creek Boulevard: Speeding cars and trucks.

Just north of W. 41st Street there is an S-curve where vehicles regularly race through the curves, often crossing the double yellow center line and driving into the parking lane. The city needs to install devices to force vehicles to slow down in this area.

In recent years, there have been parked vehicles hit by speeding drivers on the curves. A house was even crashed into a few years ago, and still the city has done nothing to slow down drivers. That needs to stop now.

Bobby French, Austin

Candidates should address

child care, mental health

After watching the Democratic debate on Jan. 14 , I was kept awake by all the challenges identified and the solutions offered.

The two topics that trouble me the most are child care and mental health.

In my experience as teacher, mother and grandmother, both could and should be positively impacted by at-home moms.

Bonding with a newborn is imperative for a child's mental health. Who knows better than a parent what a child needs? Does he/she progress as anticipated physically? Is he/she ready for the next step (preschool, kindergarten)?

Dollars spent on child care and mental health are undoubtedly needed. Could they be more effectively applied earlier by increased maternity leave or Social Security credit (not dollars) available to a parent at home caring for and loving their child?

Please put your minds to it, candidates.

D. Bauhs, Austin

Use of pens was for

partisan purposes

All you need to know about the Trump impeachment was on display when Nancy Pelosi signed the articles of impeachment using some 20-odd souvenir pens.

Souvenir pens are a keepsake, a memento, the legislative equivalent of a high five celebration. In this case a solely partisan celebration.

Robert Warren, Round Rock

Austin needs more

transportation options

Re: Jan. 14 article, “Lyft debuts new Austin driver center.”

I was excited to see the recent article about Lyft providing a vehicle service center for its drivers, as ride sharing is becoming a popular transportation option for many in Austin.

Many are looking for increased transportation options. Congestion in Austin is only getting worse as the city’s population increases. This makes improved public transit even more crucial. Providing fast and reliable public transportation is the best way to reduce the number of cars on the road. This will help improve mobility as well as reducing the environmental impact of the greenhouse gases emitted while driving cars.

Cap Metro’s Project Connect includes plans for new bus lanes, new high-capacity transit lines, and more buses. This implementation of Project Connect will help to better connect Austin in a way that makes transportation more pleasant for everyone.

Jessica Wood, Austin