BIKE: dangerous tree branch blocking sidewalk on MLK

[Stephen.Kreidler]

Stuart the Maniac et al,

Thanks for the information.  I am pursuing the appropriate contact for
reporting this hazard.  Does the following location description sound
correct: 2700 Block of Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd, south curb, mid-block?
Crews use these kinds of location descriptions and a Mapsco as opposed to
more general landmark description.

Colly Kreidler, Program Coordinator
City of Austin Bicycle and Pedestrian Program
1011 San Jacinto, 2nd Floor
P.O.Box 1088
Austin, TX 78767
Voice 512-974-7046
Mobile 512-423-4287
Fax 512-974-6385
 e-mail stephen.kreidler


-----Original Message-----
From: maniac [mailto:maniac] 
Sent: Thursday, October 21, 2004 7:37 AM
To: forum-bicycleaustin.info
Subject: BIKE: dangerous tree branch blocking sidewalk on MLK

I am writing this because I am hoping that the bicycle and pedestrian
coordinator (who has responded to other posts here) will see this and maybe
can do something about the problem.  There are two tree branches coming off
of a tree on the south side of Martin Luther King Blvd. across the street
from Campbell Elementary School.  The tree is about midway between Ulit Ave.
and the next street over to the east (according to Yahoo maps, that street
is Miriam Ave.).  These branches come into the sidewalk space at about head
level, and even extend lower than that.

This morning while I was running to work along MLK, I hit my head on one of
these branches (for the third time in the last month!).  I deliberately
dodged the first branch after seeing it at the last minute but got caught by
the second one.

I'm sure that this is a hazard for bicyclists who use the sidewalk as well.
I hope the City can remove the branches or persuade the property owner, if
necessary, to remove them.  Barring this, is there anyone who is willing to
chain saw the damn things down or lend me a chain saw for a few minutes so I
can do it? I really don't want to hit my head again...it's especially hard
to see these running in the darkness of the morning.  And I respectfully
request that y'all refrain from responses suggesting that I wear a helmet
while I run...

Nursing a knot on my noggin,
Stuart the Maniac

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