Richmond Bridge bike lane needs to be removed

Extending the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge bike lane pilot project two more years beyond the four-year pilot project “to collect more data” is a waste of taxpayer money (“Richmond-San Rafael Bridge managers make arguments for modified path,” Jan. 22).

Doing so extends very visible, negative environmental and safety impacts caused by the bike lane. While the Bay Trail Plan to provide bike access to shorelines is admirable, application of this policy, in this case, violates state mandates to mitigate negative impacts to the environment.

At the Jan. 16 Bay Conservation and Development Commission meeting, very little discussion was focused on the negative environmental impacts caused by the bike lane. Bike-lane proponents need to account for carbon emissions from stacked westbound traffic every day, “lost” worker hours sitting in traffic, compromised emergency response ability and personal stress, as well as possible health impacts to the Point Richmond community.

I think the proposed share plan compromises emergency responders’ efficiency, which should be an everyday essential public safety need. Additionally, the movable barrier plan requires vehicular equipment, labor, maintenance and sweeping costs, is time-consuming and likely reduces westbound traffic to a single lane.

Neither the small number of cyclists using the lane, nor the numerous negative impacts on vehicle traffic will change with further study. Yes, biking is wonderful, but biking should not drive irresponsible shortsighted decisions. Our elected leaders seem to reflect a disproportionate political bias toward bike advocates, while disregarding the impacts of climate change.

Perhaps existing bike lane contracts need to be audited. Honest synthesis of the positive and negative trade-offs lead to a clear decision: Remove the existing bike lane barrier ASAP. Any future studies should be based upon where to go from there.

— Ron McRobbie, San Rafael

Trump pardons for Jan. 6 participants set bad tone

I am writing in response to the article by the Associated Press published in the IJ on Jan. 21 with the headline, “Trump signs blitz of orders, pardons 1,500 from Jan. 6.”

So much for considering pardons for the insurrectionist mob on a case-by-case basis. With his mass pardon, I think President Donald Trump sent a clear message endorsing political violence (as long as it serves him). In my opinion, he made a mockery of law enforcement and the rule of law.

These newly freed violent criminals — most alarmingly some leaders of several threatening organizations — can now feel encouraged to become Trump’s “paramilitary enforcers.”

Some might be emboldened to threaten, intimidate or assault anyone who’d dare challenge his agenda.

Republican Party leaders need to show some spine, not just sit silently in the face of what I consider to be a brazen act of contempt.

— John Redfield Brooks, Fairfax

Legal immigration for continued growth needed

A few days ago, the Marin IJ published an article about Marin County supervisors pushing back against President Donald Trump’s stated policy to deport undocumented immigrants (“Marin groups rally around undocumented immigrants,” Jan. 21).

Marin supervisors adopted a resolution ahead of Monday’s inauguration affirming commitment to “democracy and community.” The resolution states that the supervisors affirm “every individual in our community — regardless of race, gender identity, age, ability, religion, sexual orientation, immigration status or other identity — equally deserves safety, security, inclusion, respect, dignity and freedom of expression.”

I think the majority of U.S. citizens are committed to “democracy and community” in our amazing country and the importance of being law-abiding citizens. That begins with entering our country legally (over 70% of our country’s citizens have issues with ineffective existing illegal immigration policies).

Entering the United States properly and legally has nothing to do with racism, sexism or the other issues mentioned. Look, we need immigrants. They have helped build our country into the most productive democracy in the world. But rallying around and supporting illegal immigration has resulted in homelessness and more welfare. Allowing it takes resources from citizens and immigrants who are here legally.

— Bruce McDermott, Fairfax