I am writing you with my concern about the proposed changes to Merrimon Avenue. I am an avid biker in Asheville and everything that I have read about the changes for Merrimon Avenue seem as though they are not taking into account anything other than automobiles as a main transportation.

I have ridden this section of road as it is now and I find it a troublesome stretch of road. I have done so out of necessity, and the entire time that I am riding it, I question my safety.

As it looks at the moment, the changes would make this stretch of road very similar to Hendersonville Road. I believe we both can safely say that if we told a friend that we were going to bike from downtown to Carolina Cinema to see a movie, those dear to us would urge us not to put our lives at risk and find an alternative way to get to the theater, due to the danger that road would pose to a bicyclist.

I am saddened to think, yet another road would be off limits to a whole form of transportation- bicycling. I urge you to reconsider this proposed change and keep in mind not only cyclists but the community and businesses as a whole.

Thank you for your time.

Sincerely,

Tara O’Loughlin