The Encinitas City Council on Wednesday approved a $3.8 million paving contract and voted to keep existing striping on Birmingham Drive after residents opposed a proposed bike lane.

The agenda item included plans to restripe Birmingham Drive with a new eastbound, uphill bike lane, drawing strong opposition from several public speakers who raised concerns about safety and transparency.

“I find it disturbing that important restriping on an artery like this could be initiated more or less anonymously in a 400-page document on pavement maintenance,” said Ron Medak, speaking as a resident and commissioner on the Mobility and Traffic Safety Commission. “Birmingham is very dangerous … Liverpool (Drive), as somebody suggested, is a very good alternative, much less traffic.”

Several speakers, including representatives from Cardiff 101 Main Street and the Cardiff Town Council, argued that Birmingham’s narrow lanes and steep grade make it unsuitable for a bike lane.

“The proposed eastbound bike lane would remove approximately eight feet of roadway, about four feet from each side,” said Rahul Deshpande, a member of Cardiff 101 Main Street and chair of the Cardiff Town Council. “This would dangerously narrow the space available for vehicles, increasing the risk for both drivers and cyclists.”