Bicycle/Pedestrian Advisory Committee

City of Mountain View Minutes Bicycle/Pedestrian Advisory Committee Wednesday, August 28, 2024 6:30 PM Plaza Conference Room and Video Conference, 500 Castro St., Mountain View, CA 94041 SPECIAL JOINT MEETING WITH PALO ALTO PEDESTRIAN AND BICYCLE ADVISORY COMMITTEE 1. CALL TO ORDER Stone called the meeting to order at 6:33 p.m. 2. ROLL CALL Present 5 - Committee Member Lada Adamic, Committee Member Valerie Fenwick, Committee Member James Kuszmaul, Vice Chair Terry Barton, and Chair John Stone 2.1 Mountain View Bicycle/Pedestrian Advisory Committee (MV BPAC) Staff members present: Transportation Manager Ria Hutabarat Lo, Active Transportation Planner Brandon Whyte, Transportation Planner Karen Gauss, Acting Public Works Director Ed Arango, Santa Clara County Transportation Planner Ben Aghegnehu. Eight members of the public were present including two in person and seven online. 2.2 Palo Alto Pedestrian and Bicycle Advisory Committee (PA PABAC) Members present: Chair Bruce Arthur, Paul Goldstein, Art Liberman, Cedric de la Beaujardiere, Alan Wachtel, Nicole Rodia, Bill Zaumen, Penny Ellson, Jane Rosten, and Stephen Rock. Members absent: Kathy Durham, Robert Neff, Eric Nordman, and Ken Joye. Staff members present: Transportation Planning Manager Sylvia Star-Lack, Transportation Planner Charlie Coles. 3. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE PUBLIC Bruce England noted that the Moffett Boulevard Precise Plan community meeting was scheduled for the same time as this BPAC / PABAC meeting and suggested that the City consider an additional outreach meeting to obtain feedback from those in the room. 4. NEW BUSINESS 4.1 Santa Clara County Active Transportation Plan Aghegnehu introduced the County Roads & Airports Department, which oversees 600 miles of roads and provided a presentation on the Active Transportation Plan process for the County. Public comment: Bruce England requested a copy of the presentation and suggested that the public have an opportunity to City of Mountain View Page 1 Bicycle/Pedestrian Advisory Minutes August 28, 2024 Committee provide input. He also noted new California laws that require drivers to change lanes and suggested enforcement. He also supported inclusion of items such as bike parking, no turn on red, and routine evaluation and inclusion of sidewalks. Committee comments: Kuszmaul noted that there is a similar presentation in the VTA BPAC portion of the agenda. Kuszmaul stated he supported the plan vision and regular cleaning and maintenance. He also suggested consideration of traffic diverters in unincorporated areas, no-turn-on-red restrictions and red light cameras. Goldstein suggested that county standards for pavement condition, tree trimming and maintenance be included, with a requirement to maintain bike access during maintenance activities. Liberman noted that expressway overpasses were challenging. Fenwick noted that the maps were hard to read and requested that rumble strips not be placed in the bike lane because it would make an uncomfortable ride and would narrow the riding area especially when there is debris near the edge. Wachtel noted that the HDM indicates that rumble strips are not to be placed in Class II bike lanes. Barton appreciated the sunsetting of existing guidelines and adoption of more modern standards. He also supported incorporation of green street elements. Adamic suggested a policy regarding no-turn-on-red for county expressways and supported separation of bikes and non-bikes. She also suggested turnouts on mountain roads such as on Mt Diablo. De la Beaujardiere supported the plan including clear indication of where bikes and pedestrians should operate. Ellson requested a deep dive on how to address faster, heavier throttle e-bikes on shared paths. 4.2 Pedestrian and Bicycle Coordination Across City Borders Coles provided a presentation on cross border issues and planning efforts for the San Antonio Road corridor. Public comment: Bruce England noted that San Antonio Road feels like an expressway and it is not clear how to get around it as a cyclist but there are walkable and bikeable destinations at each end. He also highlighted that there is a path from Del Medio to Cesano Court that terminates at a fence. Mary Dateo noted that it is difficult to get between the two cities between El Camino and California due to a difficult intersection at California and San Antonio. Committee comment: Fenwick appreciated the conversation. She noted that the Fletcher Bike Boulevard gets people to Mountain View, but it is confusing to get through the Waymo campus. She also found it difficult to get from San Antonio station to the shopping area and felt that sharrows through San Antonio shopping area were not good. She noted that there is a beautiful regional park at the end of San Antonio Road, but it is difficult to get there by bike. There are also two sharp turns to get into the park, which makes it difficult with a stroller or mobility device. Finally, Fenwick requested that Cities consider the difference between pedal assist e-bikes and throttle e-bikes / mopeds. City of Mountain View Page 2 Bicycle/Pedestrian Advisory Minutes August 28, 2024 Committee Ellson supported Robert Neff’s comments and improved pedestrian and bike wayfinding to destinations in both cities, particularly on the Mountain View side. Barton stated that San Antonio is like El Camino with many destinations but difficult conditions for access. He felt that a recent hotel development was a missed opportunity for turning sharrows and parking or dedicated into bike lanes. Star-Lack indicated that a provision had been added regarding a setback on San Antonio. Barton also commented that Wilkie Way Bridge is slippery when wet. Finally, Barton indicated that a new school is also planned for this corridor. He requested that paseos be added and coordinated across cities. Arthur indicated that Middlefield Road is the most difficult cross-border crossing along Antonio". He also supported strategies to slow traffic including narrowing travel lanes in this area which will become a focus for future housing. Star-Lack indicated that San Antonio is a designated truck route. Rodia supported crossing improvements for San Antonio Road and would encourage crossing movements and improvements at smaller streets such as Leghorn. Kuszmaul highlighted that there aren't that many crossing locations on San Antonio. He also noted that San Antonio Road appeared toward the top of the AccessMV list. He also suggested improvements such as bus islands on San Antonio near El Camino. He also requested a straight option such as Class I pathway along Central Expressway. Adamic hoped for a pedestrian/bicycle route between San Antonio and Del Medio when the lumber business redevelops. She requested that City staff forward comments to the other jurisdiction if requests are made to the wrong side. She requested that e-bikes be permitted along the Bay Trail in Palo Alto. Goldstein commented that paved portions on the Bay Trail in Palo Alto allow e-bikes. Stone noted that there was a missed opportunity for a pedestrian access easement with the AC Hotel project. He also requested tighter turn radii at the intersection of Middlefield and San Antonio. Arthur noted that there were about three fatalities on San Antonio Road including a motorcyclist, pedestrian and truck driver over the past decade. Ellson noted that there were 2,000 new housing units planned for the San Antonio Road corridor including Project Homekey. She indicated that they will need to be able to get to the station by bicycle. 4.3 Santa Clara Valley Transportation Agency (VTA) Bicycle & Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) Update Adamic provided updates including an update from the General Manager Carolyn Gonot, a status on the Caltrans District 4 Bike Plan Update, a review of the VTA Business Plan, and a project update regarding the Homestead Road improvements. Public comments: Bruce England clarified location. Committee comments: None. 5. COMMITTEE/STAFF ANNOUNCEMENTS, UPDATES, REQUESTS, AND COMMITTEE REPORTS City of Mountain View Page 3 Bicycle/Pedestrian Advisory Minutes August 28, 2024 Committee 5.1 Mountain View Staff Comments Whyte provided an update on the Active Transportation Plan, ADA sidewalk survey, back-to-school events, a parking survey for the Moffett Complete Streets project, and Vision Zero outreach throughout the City. He also noted upcoming events, including the Silicon Valley Bicycle Summit, ATP next steps to the Council Transportation Committee, Vision Zero Action Plan and the Rengstorff Complete Streets grant. He also provided an update on AskMV items including non-skid material on bridges such as at Central Avenue, requests for red zones, and support for the fooz-ball tables on Castro. Arango noted that Public Works Director Cameron is retiring, and he will be Acting Director in the interim. Public comment: David Watson shared a video of red light running at Farley/Middlefield and suggested red light cameras be included in Vision Zero Action Plan. Committee comment: Fenwick has filed tickets about red light running at Middlefield/Farley. 5.2 Palo Alto Staff Comments Star-Lack shared about a community bike ride on October 6 and Bike Plan community engagement in Fall. 5.3 Mountain View BPAC Comments Fenwick stated her enjoyment of a ride along Stevens Creek Trail and appreciated the reduced number of bollards and inconsistent fences. Kuszmaul asked about automated red light enforcement. Pubic comment: Mary Dateo noted the incorrect date for the October meeting. She correctly indicated that it should be October 30, 2024. 5.4 Palo Alto PABAC Committee Comments None. 6. SET DATE AND TIME FOR NEXT MEETING: September 25, 2024. 7. CALENDAR 8. ADJOURNMENT Stone adjourned the meeting at 9:36 p.m. Meeting minutes submitted for approval by Brandon Whyte. Approved on October 30, 2024. City of Mountain View Page 4