‘Aggressive Expansion’ of Bike Network Heads to Council

Fewer cars, more bike lanes, and reduced greenhouse gas emissions may be Palo Alto’s future.

Tonight the city council will vote on the 2011 Bicycle + Pedestrian Transportation Plan, which if passed would build upon the broad and ambitious 2003 Bicycle Transportation Plan by including innovative design strategies, a new policy framework, a revised bike network and other changes.

The plan, which is being recommended by the Transportation and Planning Commission and staff, lays out the following five objectives:

• Double the rate of bicycling for both local and total work commutes by 2020 (to 15% and 5%, respectively).
• Convert discretionary vehicle trips into walking and bicycling trips in order to reduce City transportation-related greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions 15% by 2020.
• Develop a core network of shared paths, bikeways, and traffic-calmed street that connects open spaces and promotes healthy, active living.
• Plan, construct, and maintain ‘Complete Streets’ that are safe and accessible to all modes and people of all ages and abilities.
• Promote efficient, sustainable, and creative use of limited public resources through integrated design and planning.

To help meet these objectives, there would be an “aggressive expansion” of the existing Bikeway Network, according to the new plan, by adding over 50 miles of new or enhanced routes, bringing the total length of the network to about 120 miles.

These routes would include new bike lanes, shared lanes, multi-use paths, “enhanced” bikeways—which offer dedicated or preferential use for bicyclists—and new or expanded Bicycle Boulevards.

The plan also, for the first time, outlines a strategy for pedestrian transportation. If approved, sidewalks would have to be built at least six feet wide with no gaps, all curb ramps would be ADA compliant, curb extensions would be considered where appropriate, curb radii would be tightened to slow motorists, higher-visibility crosswalks and signals would be built, and new shared spaces for motorists and pedestrians would be considered.

City Council meets tonight at 7 p.m. at Council Chambers, 250 Hamilton Avenue.