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16-0118_DEVELOPMENT SOLUTIONS OAK, LLC_E1a_Correspondence- Cory, Leslie1/18/2016 Ela From: Leslie Cory Sent: Tuesday, January 12, 2016 10:32 AM To: Maria Morris Subject: Proposed Bike Path Dear Ms. Morris, I am writing on behalf of equestrians that utilize the berm trail adjacent the Oaks project in San Juan Capistrano. I am aware there is a proposed new bike path that will share this berm trail with equestrians in order to connect 'mountain to sea' bicyclists. I see this as a recipe for disaster. I board my horse at Mission Trails at the end of Avenida Siega/Calle Arroyo and have been riding my horse along the berm trail since 1998. There are a lot of horse riders who utilize that area and ride in and out of the creek as well as accessing the new Reata Riding Park and the Rancho Mission Viejo Riding Park. Recently, the new Oaks project has expanded their equestrian facilities which run adjacent the new proposed bike path. This has added even more riders onto the trail who use this to cross over to the RMV Riding Park. The problem as I have experienced is that the bicyclists are not familiar with how horses might react to the presence of a fast moving bicycle coming up behind them. Some of them are polite and announce they are coming, but most do not. Currently, since the trail is dirt, they are deterred from going very fast as they might do on an asphalt path. I totally understand that this would be ideal for the bicyclists to have this short path paved, but I am fearful of horse accidents that may occur as a result. I would recommend leaving it as is. It is wide enough for everyone to share. If it is left as is, perhaps the city can put up signage directing the bicyclists to stay to one side of the trail closest to the fence. This would allow riders to use the rest of the trail for open access to and from the creek. Best regards, Lem Cary