There are a number of reasons why restriping to narrow Winchester to a single lane is a good idea. It would provide an enhanced gateway to downtown Los Gatos, it would deter use of Winchester as a cut-though road to other destinations, and it would slow down vehicles now averaging speeds 10 to 20 mph over the speed limit. But the main reason the idea is a good one is simple—it's safety.

We all know that pedestrians, cyclists and automobiles—especially autos traveling at a high rate of speed—don't mix. It's a formula for disaster, but it's just the formula we have now on that stretch of roadway.

The Los Gatos and Monte Sereno councils recognized the potential for danger when they joined forces to install a traffic signal at the intersection of Winchester and Daves Avenue. The purpose of the light was twofold—to slow down traffic heading in and out of town, and to make the crosswalk at that location safer, especially for the children going to and from Daves Avenue School.

The project is now near completion with the construction of a new sidewalk that runs from just past Farley Road to Vineland. Brodsky now wants to see the project move into what he calls Phase II, which he says calls for restriping for a reduction of two lanes to one in that stretch of Winchester. Los Gatos, however, does not seem to support the idea.

The interesting thing is, the roadway has been reduced to a single lane during the construction of the sidewalk. Orange pylons have blocked the outside lane, apparently to protect workers from the fast-moving traffic on the roadway nearby. And guess what? There is no apparent back-up, even during the peak traffic hours of the morning.

The new sidewalk is paralleled by a narrow bike lane that appears less than adequate for cyclists riding along a roadway where few motorists abide by the posted limit. Restriping to limit traffic to a single lane would solve that problem and make the stretch of Winchester safer for all who use it. As Brodsky wrote in an e-mail to supporters, "Do we have to wait for some bicyclist to be injured or killed before the town of Los Gatos acts to authorize the 'Phase II' road restriping requested three years ago by Monte Sereno? All the studies are done. Why is Los Gatos dragging their heels?"

Now, the question is, where do council candidates Steve Glickman, Barry Bakken and Barbara Spector stand on the subject? In a campaign short on issues this could be a defining point, at least in the minds of some voters.

Los Gatos should support Phase II of the Winchester project. Brodsky's plan is a good one for Los Gatos and Monte Sereno, but especially for those who use Winchester Boulevard.