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Residents praise Bakersfield bike lanes, urge more infrastructure; one speaker promotes Waymo autonomous vehicles
Summary
Several public commenters and councilmembers lauded new bike lanes and painted treatments; the council expressed support for continued active-transportation work. One commenter urged the council to consider Waymo autonomous vehicles; council members responded that autonomous mobility merits study.
Multiple residents told the Bakersfield City Council they support recent bike-lane projects and painted treatments and urged the city to continue building safe routes for bicyclists and pedestrians.
Cindy Parra thanked the council and staff for new bike lanes, green pavement and the Active Transportation Program (ATP) projects. Matthew Dils, a Stockdale High School teacher who said he has bicycled to work for 15 years, said improved bike infrastructure lets him advocate for students’ safe routes. Bert Alton, a veteran who said he is legally blind and uses a bicycle for transportation, thanked the council for paint and color choices that improve visibility and requested more lanes on corridors such as Buck Owens Boulevard.
Councilmembers responded with continued support for active-transportation investments. Councilmember Smith cited traffic-fatality data and urged continued street redesign to protect cyclists and pedestrians. Vice Mayor Kaur and Councilmember Arias thanked speakers and said infrastructure designed for the most vulnerable lifts the whole community.
One speaker, Britney Bridal, suggested Bakersfield pursue Waymo autonomous vehicles and recommended council engagement with the company. Councilmember Smith and others said autonomous vehicles may improve safety long term but that safer street design and bike/ped infrastructure remain immediate priorities. Councilmember Gonzales said autonomous mobility represents a cultural shift and recommended pursuing “increased access to mobility for all” while studying options.
No formal council action resulted from the public comments; councilmembers signaled continued commitment to ATP and bike-safety projects.
